The first report of the Chief Regulator of Qualifications and Examinations

Kathleen TattersallMay 7th 2009

Ofqual’s first year:

New relationships formed with stakeholders

GCSE science standards challenged

GCSE and A level standards reports

Development of regulatory frameworks for Diploma and QCF

Recognition of new awarding organisations

Relocation to Coventry.

Ofqual will:

Protect standards over time

Protect standards across awarding organisations

Work with awarding organisations and Sector Skills Councils

Act swiftly if standards are compromised, e.g. GCSE science

Protect standards of academic and vocational qualifications

Ensure the QCF supports consistent standards.

Ofqual:

Monitors syllabuses

Monitors examination demand

Monitors the quality of candidate responses

Takes action if monitoring detects inconsistency, e.g. physics

Pilots new qualifications

Aims to get it right first time.

Ofqual’s economic regulation:

Covers fee-setting and system efficiency

Provides the structure for learners to exchange units

Makes costs clear to providers and users

Takes commercial sensitivity into account

Will promote trust in the system.

Ofqual aims to:

Promote transparency

Shine a light on the system, e.g. the Reliability Programme

Take a clear view of risks

Safeguard new qualifications

Encourage professionalism

Encourage innovation without compromising quality.

Ofqual works with:

Qualifications and Curriculum (Development) Agency

Sector Skills Councils

UK Commission for Education and Skills

Employers.

Our status following legislation:

A non-Ministerial Government Department

Fully independent

Accountable directly to Parliament.

Learners:

Are at the heart of what Ofqual does

Deserve a system which suits their requirements

Are all ages and from all backgrounds

Engage with Ofqual through Learner Panels

Took part in Reliability Programme focus groups.

Ofqual:

Aims to safeguard the qualifications system

Acts to protect the interests of learners

Promotes confidence and public trust

Aims to ensure the system is fair and robust.

Thank you.

Any questions?