An urgent review of new sixth form exams that have sparked howls of protest in schools was ordered by the Government yesterday.

After headteachers branded AS-levels a "shambles", Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris announced that the head of exams quango the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) would take personal charge of the probe.

Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, welcomed the review but said he would prefer a fundamental rethink of 14 to 19 education.

He added: "The AS-levels were intended to broaden students' horizons. There is growing evidence that they are having the opposite effect.

"Many other worthy activities appear to have been crushed out of existence as the examinations bulldozer rolls on."

Thousands of 17-year-olds are taking AS-levels this summer.

There have been complaints of multiple clashes in the exam timetable and a vastly increased workload for students and teachers.

Under Curriculum 2000, introduced last September, sixth formers are obliged to take four or five one-year AS-levels before narrowing their choices down to three A2s, as A-levels are now known, in the second year.

The intention was to get them studying a broader range of subjects and Ms Morris stressed she remained committed to the change.

"These are the most fundamental reforms to advanced level qualifications for 50 years," she said.

"Inevitably, not everything is yet right in the way they have been brought in and there will be lessons to be learnt.

"We need to make sure that the new qualifications maintain their rigour while not placing unreasonable burdens on students, or on schools or colleges.

"I am, therefore, asking the QCA to look urgently with schools, colleges and awarding bodies at the best way of delivering the new qualifications."

Its report should be ready next month, after which the Government would decide what action it had to take.

The other new sixth form exams, which have proved even more unpopular with schools, are also to be reviewed, Ms Morris disclosed.

Key Skills - tests in numeracy, communication and information technology - were intended to make school leavers more employable, but the National Association of Head Teachers said recently that they were all but unworkable.

QCA chief executive David Hargreaves said: "Undoubtedly there have been some teething problems.

"I shall be talking to schools, colleges and exam boards about what lessons have been learned and how arrangements can be improved in the future."

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Estelle Morris has announced an inquiry into the post-16 curriculum.

"This is a very positive move from the new Secretary of State, who recognises that the confusion and chaos surrounding the delivery of the new exams must be resolved urgently."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said: "I welcome the review because there have been some implementation problems which have caused serious difficulties for schools."

But Mr Dunford stressed that his association still supported the principle behind the new AS-levels.

Exams that failed - Page