THE head of a York Quaker public school has launched a broadside against the national "obsession" with league tables, as he prepares to bid farewell after 16 years in the post.

Ian Small, 60, will leave Bootham School at the end of this summer term. He will be replaced by Jonathan Taylor, from Bedales School in Hampshire.

Mr Small is a well-known figure in York. He is chairman of York Opera, and is currently appearing in its production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, along with four of the school's pupils. He also chairs the York Literary Lunches at Dean Court Hotel.

A firm believer in Quaker values, despite being the first non-Quaker head of Bootham School, Mr Small decries the ever increasing grip exams, league tables, and results have on school education today.

He said: "I think the whole national system has become too obsessed with exams and measuring things.

"The real heart of education is what can never be measured because it's about the spirit, the heart and soul. You can't measure a kid who is now confident when they were timid.

"Because of these wretched league tables, so many schools are driven by looking at results and wanting to get results.

"I don't like league tables because I think they are misleading."

Mr Small said he would also like to see "greater integration" between state and private schools.

"I would like to see a much better integration system where independent schools and maintained schools are nothing like as far apart.

"There are very good models in Ireland and in Europe where the difference in terms of cost is much, much less because the state recognises that independent schools have a significant role to play.

"For example, in Ireland, the Government pays teachers' salaries."

Despite acknowledging he would miss Bootham School "enormously", Mr Small said he was looking forward to his retirement, when he plans to study for an MA into the legendary 18th century manager of York Theatre Royal, Tate Wilkinson.

As for his plans after that, he said: "I promised my kids I would one day write a novel - a bestseller so I can live my retirement in comfort."

Updated: 08:40 Wednesday, June 16, 2004