SCHOOLING

The new class of pupils entering English secondary schools this year will now have to stay on until 17 instead of the previous 16. I'm amazed. Every year examination results have improved out of all recognition at both A-level and GCSE. This is partly because children are much cleverer than in my days and partly the result of excellent teaching. Surely the sensible response to this surge of knowledge would be to reduce the leaving age. Children could leave at 15 and still know as much as 16-year-olds in the bad old days.