Wolverhampton Grammar School’s headteacher Bernard Trafford said pupils were left “dispirited” following their last year at primary school in which they are all made to take national exams – known as SATS – in English, maths and science.

Teachers have long criticised the system for putting too much pressure on teachers and staff to produce good results for school league tables, depriving them of a broader education.

Now Dr Trafford has launched a new “pre-secondary” year at his school which is open to pupils who have completed year five of primary school.

The tests which dominated the final year of state primary education will not be taken by pupils at the school.

Dr Trafford said: “I wonder whether any new learning is happening in pupils’ final year at primary school. It appears to be based solely on preparation for an exam rather than education and learning.

“The Government, not schools, has to take the blame for that – the pressure on primaries to hit targets and maintain their places in league tables is colossal.”