The chief inspector of schools has called on girls to do even better in exams to beat the discrimination they will suffer in later life.

Girls already outstrip boys in national curriculum tests, GCSEs, and more women go to university to gain the best degrees.

But David Bell believes that girls must do more "if they are to gain the benefits that are properly theirs".

"The achievement of girls continues therefore to be mater of pressing concern if girls are to overcome some of the disadvantages that are still inherent in our economy," he told a conference of head teachers.