Rather than actually having to learn and recall things for a final exam, students just have to demonstrate that they could meet a criterion at some point during the course. Naturally it is not that easy - they are limited to just three attempts to hit each one. The internal assessment is of course moderated: this year we sent off six pieces of work for external moderation, from a cohort of more than 100 students.

As a result of these grade-boosting activities, the summer term, which used to be quite relaxed, became a frenzy of completing BTEC coursework and doing online ALAN tests, which prevented any other students from using any of the computer rooms for more legitimate educational purposes.

I am sure that my school will achieve a record high in its results this year and will even remove itself from Balls's danger zone. But I am afraid that our students, although more highly qualified than in previous years, will actually be less educated. This is doing a disservice, not just to them, but also to ourselves as educators and to society.

If the Government applies similar thinking to athletics then maybe I can finally get an Olympic gold medal to go with my One Star Amateur Athletics Association certificate.