She said the number of vocational qualifications had increased "40 fold" in recent years and that some of these courses are "unquestionably about schools chasing league table points".

BBC: Are vocational qualifications valuable?

Data and rational analysis offer the hope that we can be less subjective in our consideration of alternatives and potential courses of action, thereby freeing us from the many biases we bring to the table.

FORBES: Meeting the Big Data challenge: DON'T be objective

Professor Alison Wolf, who authored a government-commissioned review of vocational courses published earlier this year, said schools had been "under enormous pressure to pile up league table points".

BBC: Many vocational courses axed from league tables

From the grandest of stages, Richard then heads to the intimate surroundings of the dinner table where Fay Presto plies her trade on the London restaurant scene, entertaining customers between courses.

CNN: Quest for magic