INDEPENDENT thinking is being squeezed out of A-Levels by pressure from constant government missives and a focus on boosting league table scores, research suggests.

Almost eight in 10 university admissions officers believe that the quality of teaching for 16 to 19-year-olds is being threatened by the volume of government initiatives sent to schools and colleges, and by a need to “teach to the test”.

Three in four raised concerns that school league tables and targets are putting pressure on teachers and pupils to achieve higher grades, with two-thirds saying the curriculum is inflexible.

The survey, commissioned by ACS International Schools, found a desire among university admissions officers for more creative approaches to teaching, and greater freedom for teachers from targets and a restrictive curriculum.

All of those questioned said independent thinking was the most prized quality in university students, and yet this quality is being squeezed out of the A-Level system, the study found.

Just one in five felt that the A-Level system develops independent thinking in pupils.

More than half (53%) said the students themselves are threatening the quality of education for 16-19-year-olds, because their behaviour is getting worse. There were also concerns about the Government’s plans to raise the school leaving age to 18 – listed as a worry by four in 10 admissions officers.

The government’s new flagship diploma received backing from those questioned, with almost half (45%) saying it encourages independent thinking.