Chill out Shaun it's called 'taking the piss'. Those who know me are well aware of my tendency for vast hyperbole and wild exaggeration with everything I say and do.
Although with my serious hat on, I'd say my highly scientific analysis of recruiting policies has at least 20% worth of truth in it, for a couple of the companies I've worked for (and yes one of them's in the UK).
But I meant everything I said about the school grades, honestly, 100%. As long as the guy gets some decent marks at flying school and a few flying hours under his belt, then none except the harshest employers is going to hassle him at interview about 'A' level maths.