Speaking at the Royal Society in London recently, CBI deputy director general Katja Hall stressed the importance of Government leadership in creating a world-beating education system, “producing young people with not just academic qualities but also the attitudes and behaviours to succeed in life”.

She said: “Frankly, it is not enough to just pass responsibility to head teachers and to toughen exams. A clear vision is needed to encourage a complete cultural change; without it, we run the risk of reforms to the system falling flat.

“Government agencies can also lead the way by Ofsted ensuring that academic progress and the development of character are both prioritised by schools. This also applies to Ofqual; some of the recent exam reforms have been simply wrong, even if well-intentioned.

“Dropping the assessment of speaking and listening skills from English GCSE and removing the assessment of practical skills from science A-levels has meant that, while qualifications are arguably more rigorous, they now risk being less relevant.

“The answer to suspicions regarding the marking of practical work is not to abolish the test but to ensure that the marking gets better.

“We want all businesses to increase their engagement with schools. There is no more important determinant of our long-term growth, and we should start acting like this matters as much as it does. To support and encourage this, the Government should look at re-introducing work experience for Years 10 and 11.”