Ruth Lea says that the proliferation of exams will confuse employers

The government's Green Paper on the curriculum for 14 to 19 year olds, published last week, proposes a new qualification called the "matriculation diploma".

It also suggests a new grade at A-level and an opt-out on GCSEs for bright pupils.

When this is added to the arrival of AS-levels, Key Skills tests and the restructuring of vocational qualifications, Ruth Lea says that employers will struggle to make sense of what all these awards represent.

"The system is already looking horrifically complicated for employers - and when I saw the proposals for the matriculation diploma I shook my head in disbelief."

"This isn't just about subjects, it seems to be about everything - probably including whether you're nice to old ladies or not."

The range of qualifications which employers could be faced with are already "mind boggling", she says.

"What's made it worse has been the grade inflation. You see many girls with all As at A-levels and it's nothing unusual."

Urging the government back to the drawing board, Ms Lea says that the German system of vocational education might prove a more effective model.