AN Oxfordshire headteacher has slammed the government over A-Level curriculum changes, after the first cohort under the new system received their grades yesterday.

Didcot Sixth Form executive headteacher Rachael Warwick said the changes were 'badly planned, badly implemented' and brought in too fast.

She told BBC Radio 4 that teachers had been left trying to plan courses and write textbooks before specifications had been finalised, and lacked past papers from which to prepare.

Reforms by former education secretary Michael Gove shifted emphasis away from coursework towards exams.

Mrs Warwick told the Oxford Mail that curriculum changes had been 'fast and furious'.

"Teachers were working on re-planning GCSE and A-Level qualifications at the same time... with teachers already under significant pressure."

"The two year linear A-Level puts additional pressure on students because its so high stakes. Coursework reflects much more on the workplace.

"Future planning needs to be much measured, long-term and to be worked out alongside school leaders who do understand how schools work.

She also called for a period of stability and praised teachers for their efforts in managing the changes.