MATHS should no longer be compulsory at GCSE in order to provide time for more "creative" subjects, a teachers' leader from the North-East said yesterday.

The controversial proposal was made by the new national president of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), Terry Bladen, who has taught at Eastbourne School in Darlington for almost 30 years.

The 55-year-old, of Eaglescliffe, near Yarm - who is a maths teacher - yesterday outlined his proposal at the union's annual conference in Bournemouth.

All children should be numerate, but ending the rule that GCSE pupils had to study more advanced concepts, such as quadratic equations and trigonometry, would leave the subject to teenagers who actually enjoyed it, he said.

Education traditionalists branded his proposal "mad" and the Government stressed there were no plans to drop maths at GCSE.

The core subjects of English and maths and information and communications technology left too little time for pupils to "explore their creative" side, said Mr Bladen.

"I say this as someone who has taught the subject for the whole of my secondary teaching career.

"Is it any wonder that so many pupils switch off? Perhaps the time has come to take a much more radical look at what is taught in the core curriculum, with a view to freeing up more time for other subjects. Mathematics has always been a main subject, but why?"

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "I think it's a mad idea to be honest.

"Maths and English in themselves are probably the main subjects of the curriculum. It is essential that all youngsters get at least a GCSE qualification in those two subjects.

"Letting them drop it at 14 is nonsensical. Apart from that, maths is an essential part of other subjects such as geography."

Mr Bladen told The Northern Echo that he would be pressing for other reforms, including easing the burden of administration on teachers.

Commenting on the National Union of Teachers' call for a boycott of Standard Assessment Tests, Mr Bladen warned that the union could face legal recriminations.

"While our members may not agree with the tests, to take action within the current employment law would be impossible," he said.

An NASUWT member for almost 30 years, his new post will involve a year's leave from Eastbourne School.