Last updated: 16 Dec 2008

QCA Chairman Christopher Trinick today responded to the publication of Lord Sutherland's report into the problems with delivering national curriculum tests during summer 2008.  

Christopher Trinick said: 

"I welcome this report. It provides an authoritative and clear analysis of the problems with delivering national curriculum tests during summer 2008. QCA has apologised for the delays and I repeat those apologies today. We are sorry that pupils, teachers and parents were inconvenienced by late results this summer and we must learn from the mistakes which happened.  

"We accept the various recommendations that Lord Sutherland has put forward. In response we will: 

• Fully integrate the NAA into the QCA.  NAA will be abolished and will not retain a separate identity or brand.   
• Work on the transformation of QCA into QCDA - The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, which it is proposed will be formally established in the legislation that also creates Ofqual. 
• All the important work undertaken now by NAA in regard to National Curriculum Tests and support for other activities will be moved into the QCA management structure. 
• The new QCDA structure will be based on the delivery of programme remits from Government.
• QCA has begun the recruitment process for a new CEO to succeed Dr Ken Boston in due course.

"Since the problems this summer, QCA has terminated the contract of ETS Europe following their failure to deliver the test results on time. The failure of our contractor was unacceptable. ETS Europe made a payment to QCA of £19.5 million, along with the cancellation of other invoices and charges of approximately £4.6 million.  

"We warmly welcome Lord Sutherland's recommendation that the delivery system should be modernised. 

"The QCA Board has noted the resignation of the QCA Chief Executive Dr Ken Boston.  The Board wishes to consider fully the report from Lord Sutherland and has suspended Dr Boston until that is concluded. The QCA Board has also decided to suspend David Gee, the Managing Director of the NAA with immediate effect whilst again fully considering his position. In the interim Andrew Hall, QCA's Director Strategic Resource Management has been appointed Acting Chief Executive." 

Notes to Editors 

1.    QCA Press Office can be contacted on 020 7509 6789 or, out of hours, on 07827 879 263.