Last updated: 26 Sep 2007

Ken Boston, QCA Chief Executive, said:

"This is a very welcome development, and the logical next step along the path QCA has been advocating. QCA has always been a robustly independent regulator of standards; it is recognised internationally for the quality of its work and its scrupulous distancing of matters of regulation from government. We have consistently been of the view that it is inappropriate for the regulator to report to Ministers on whether or not assessment standards have been maintained, when they also have the responsibility of driving up national performance against those standards.

The new regulatory body which will grow from QCA will resolve this issue by reporting to Parliament, not the government of the day; and will enable QCA to proceed with its development, reform and delivery agenda in curriculum, qualifications and assessment without any possibility of an appearance of compromise. This announcement will allow the regulation of standards to be strengthened while securing our vision of a 21st century curriculum and qualifications offer which meets the government's agenda of personalised learning, driving up achievement and participation, and supporting employability."

In the 2002 Quinquennial Review of QCA, one recommendation was that the test delivery and exam regulation functions of the organisation should be split. This was supported by Mike Tomlinson in his December 2002 review. As a result QCA established the Examinations and Testing Division to oversee the delivery of assessments in 2003, which evolved into a new subsidiary unit, the National Assessment Agency, in 2004. NAA directs the funds to modernise the delivery of public exams, supports schools to deliver an efficient and effective exam system and works alongside awarding bodies. The Agency also manages the delivery of the National Curriculum tests.

The following year, 2005, the Regulation and Standards Division of QCA was established with full responsibility for the regulation of exams and tests. These new proposals provide statutory independence to these regulatory functions.

Note to editors:

1. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is a non-departmental public body established by the 1997 Education Act.

2. Full details of today's announcement can be viewed at www.dcsf.gov.uk

3. For further information please contact the QCA newsdesk on 020 7509 6789