Ofqual
Encyclopedia
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department
that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
s in Northern Ireland. Wales and Scotland are regulated by each respective national government. Scotland was exempted from the national curriculum revolution in 1988: a large source of regulation work.
, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
announced that responsibility for regulating exams and qualifications would move from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
(QCA) to a new independent regulator. The new agency was named, and details of its structure and functioning were proposed, in December 2007.
It began its interim work on 8 April 2008, but was officially launched on 16 May 2008 at the National Motorcycle Museum
.
The government passed legislation in the form of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
that established Ofqual as the regulator of qualifications, examinations and tests in England, and this Act received royal assent on 12 November 2009. Ofqual commenced work as a fully independent non-ministerial government department
on 1 April 2010. Ofqual is now accountable to Parliament rather than to government ministers.
On 2 July 2010, Kathleen Tattersall OBE, the chair of Ofqual and the first Chief Regulator of Qualifications, Examinations and Assessments tendered her resignation with immediate effect.
It is situated on the B4101 road in west Coventry near Canley railway station
, and a mile from the University of Warwick
. It moved to Coventry in 2008 from Piccadilly
in London.
It has five divisions:
Non-ministerial government department
A non-ministerial government department is a department or ministry of a government that is not headed by a Government Minister or Government Secretary, and answers directly to a legislature ....
that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
Role
Ofqual's role is to ensure all learners get the results they deserve, standards are maintained, and their qualifications are correctly valued and understood, now and in the future.Area of governance
It regulates exams, qualifications and tests in England and NVQNational Vocational Qualification
National Vocational Qualifications are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification ....
s in Northern Ireland. Wales and Scotland are regulated by each respective national government. Scotland was exempted from the national curriculum revolution in 1988: a large source of regulation work.
History
In September 2007 Ed BallsEd Balls
Edward Michael Balls, known as Ed Balls, is a British Labour politician, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, currently for Morley and Outwood, and is the current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer....
, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families is a Cabinet minister in the United Kingdom. The post was created on 28 June 2007 after the disbanding of the Department for Education and Skills by Gordon Brown. The first Secretary of State was Ed Balls, a former treasury aide to Brown...
announced that responsibility for regulating exams and qualifications would move from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
(QCA) to a new independent regulator. The new agency was named, and details of its structure and functioning were proposed, in December 2007.
It began its interim work on 8 April 2008, but was officially launched on 16 May 2008 at the National Motorcycle Museum
National Motorcycle Museum (UK)
The National Motorcycle Museum occupies an site in Bickenhill, Solihull, England and holds the world's largest collection of British motorcycles. In addition to over 850 motorcycles which cover a century of motorcycle manufacture the site has conference facilities...
.
The government passed legislation in the form of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It alters the law relating to education....
that established Ofqual as the regulator of qualifications, examinations and tests in England, and this Act received royal assent on 12 November 2009. Ofqual commenced work as a fully independent non-ministerial government department
Non-ministerial government department
A non-ministerial government department is a department or ministry of a government that is not headed by a Government Minister or Government Secretary, and answers directly to a legislature ....
on 1 April 2010. Ofqual is now accountable to Parliament rather than to government ministers.
On 2 July 2010, Kathleen Tattersall OBE, the chair of Ofqual and the first Chief Regulator of Qualifications, Examinations and Assessments tendered her resignation with immediate effect.
Structure
Ofqual's Chief Executive is Glenys Stacey, who was previously the Chief Executive of Standards for England. She replaced Isabel Nisbet on 1 March 2011. Amanda Spielman has been recommended to become the next Chair of the organisation and will commence in the summer of 2011.It is situated on the B4101 road in west Coventry near Canley railway station
Canley railway station
Canley railway station is situated in Canley, Coventry in the West Midlands of England. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by London Midland.-History:The Station was previously known as Canley Halt railway station....
, and a mile from the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
. It moved to Coventry in 2008 from Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
in London.
It has five divisions:
- Policy and Regulation
- Recognition and Accreditation
- Monitoring and Comparability - the national curriculum.
- Business Management - delivering the schemes and training of staff.
- Internal and External Affairs