EAST Lancashire's teachers put the examinations system to the test today in the wake of the A-levels fiasco - and awarded it a 'fail' grade.

One headteacher said: "I despair when teaching is only about preparing for tests."

Children in the UK are the most intensively examined in Europe.

And last week there was alarm in government circles when primary school maths and English results failed to improve enough to meet the key education targets they set five years ago.

Brian Peacock, head at Shadsworth Junior School in Blackburn, said: "Pupils are tested right from day one.

"Then they are tested every year, including at 17 with the new As-level.

"Even at primary level they are becoming increasingly stressed."

And he added: "There's no doubt that Standard Assessment Tests have been manipulated down the years -- not just A-levels."

Crucial Key Stage tests are now taken by thousands of East Lancashire youngsters aged seven, 11 and 14 each year.

And by the time they get to the age of 18 students will have taken more than 100 national exam papers.

Mr Peacock said: "I despair when teaching is only about preparing for tests.

"Many of our children are losing confidence - and dreading school."

Simon Jones, East Lancashire-based member of the National Union of Teachers' national executive, added: "We've got it all wrong.

"We're no longer testing the valuable - we're valuing the testable."