Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, together with Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has published a consultation document setting out detailed proposals for the regulation and development of qualifications and assessment in England.

It follows the announcement at the Labour Party Conference in September that the Government would be establishing a new independent regulator for qualifications and assessment – reporting to Parliament rather than Ministers.

John Denham, who is the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said

"Today's announcement is a major step forward in securing the right approach to the regulation of qualifications. I am particularly pleased that employers will now be able to get recognition for their own qualifications.

“This will ensure that national qualifications more closely meet the skills needs of business. This is another good reason for employers to expand the investment they already make in the training of their staff.”

The document includes details on plans to establish:

o an independent regulator, the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, which will take on the regulatory functions of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA); and

o a development agency for curriculum, assessment and qualifications which will take on the non-regulatory functions of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

The regulator will no longer be accountable to Ministers, and it will not be part of the same organisation that develops and delivers qualifications and tests.  There will therefore be no room for doubt about its independence and the credibility of its judgements.

The regulator will report directly to Parliament on the standards of the tests and qualifications system in England.  It will also report on the value for money that the qualifications system offers taxpayers.

The regulator will be a Non-Ministerial Department, like Ofsted.  It is intended to require it to submit a report each year to Parliament on its work, particularly reflecting the previous summer’s exams.  In addition, the regulator may report to Parliament, from time to time, on specific issues. 

England has an internationally renowned curriculum, assessment and qualifications system.  But the demands on the system are growing.  The Government has in place far-reaching programmes for reforming qualifications and tests at all levels, which will make a key contribution to plans to meet the economic and social challenges of the years ahead.  In developing these proposals the Government has sought to create a system that is right for now, but will also operate effectively in the changing landscape of the coming years.

Independent bodies already look at appeals against admissions decisions and at the quality of teaching and learning while in school.  These plans mean that at every stage of the education system, independent bodies will have clear responsibilities for ensuring fairness and high standards.

QCA Chairman, Sir Anthony Greener, said:

“Reporting to Parliament rather than Ministers will further enhance public confidence in the high standards of qualifications. We welcome full regulatory independence which is a natural development of the work that QCA has been doing to strengthen regulation over the last ten years.

"This consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the role that the non-regulatory functions of QCA should play in supporting the government in the provision of qualifications, curriculum and assessment for learners of all ages."

Ends
Note to editors:  More information about the consultation can be found on the Department for Children, Schools and Families website: www.dcsf.gov.uk .