Foreword

QCA is a statutory authority with responsibilities, obligations and rights set out in the Education Act 1997 and other legislation. Its responsibilities relate to the development, regulation and provision of curriculum, assessment and qualifications and maintenance of standards. It provides advice to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on request or by decision of the QCA Board.

As a non-departmental public body (NDPB), our programme of work is funded partly by core grant from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), for our general statutory responsibilities; and partly by additional funds allocated to undertake specific work within our area of expertise. The balance between the two is negotiated annually with DfES. We are funded by Government, but we are not part of central Government; we provide advice to Government on the basis of our research and professional expertise; we undertake work for Government; and we are responsible for the delivery of elements of the Government agenda.

While independent, our relationship with DfES is one of interdependence. We have no role as a public critic of Government policy or practice, although the formal advice we offer to Government in due course becomes public, along with the Government response to that advice. As the national authority for curriculum, assessment and qualifications, with responsibility for regulating provision and assuring the maintenance of standards, we have, however, a significant role to play in leading public discussion of needs, priorities and directions in areas of education and training in which Government policy is in development, or in which there is a need for policy.

The work of QCA is dependent on fruitful collaboration with many different bodies working in the educational field, and on a clear understanding of the needs of employers. It is a continuing focus of our efforts to find better ways to improve the effectiveness of these relationships, and to define more clearly the accountabilities of the many parties involved.

The success of this work is dependent on the knowledge and skills of those working for QCA, and their deep understanding of the needs of learners in school and college, and later in business. Continuing progress has been made in developing these skills and knowledge within the organisation, leading to the increasing effectiveness of QCA in support of learners everywhere.

The Board has taken the decision to move the operating base of QCA to Coventry in 2008/9 in response to the Government requirement for NDPBs to relocate out of London. Such a move clearly presents major dangers to the continuity of the work of QCA, while also providing opportunities to reinvent our way of working. The Board and Executive are committed to ensuring that this decision will be implemented in such a way that there is no detrimental impact on any aspect of the service provided in support of learners.

QCA is fortunate to have a Board that brings very wide experience from across the whole field of education and business. In 2006, the Board has given the Executive outstanding support through its involvement and engagement and I would like to record my appreciation of its continuing commitment.