QCA builds the education and training framework designed by government.

We regulate the curriculum, examinations and assessments, from the foundation stage in schools through to work-related qualifications in colleges and at work. We do not cover higher education institutions.

We work with more than 100 bodies that award qualifications, to ensure that they comply with our regulatory criteria and codes of practice. We accredit and monitor qualifications taken in schools, colleges and at work to ensure quality and the spread of best practice in every sector and for every type of qualification.

Working with government and other agencies, we play a key part in the drive to reform education and training programmes so that they equip learners, teaching professionals and employers for the changing demands of the twenty-first century.

Today’s QCA has far-reaching responsibilities that include:

Assuring the quality of the national curriculum so that pupils in every school in the country have access to the same curriculum content.

Overseeing the way that our subsidiary body, the National Assessment Agency (NAA), manages the delivery of national curriculum tests.

Modernising the examinations system for England through the NAA, by leading the move towards e-assessment, increasing the professionalism of assessors and streamlining the processes handled by examinations offices in schools and colleges.

Accrediting and monitoring the bodies that award GCSEs, A levels, NVQs and other qualifications to ensure that the syllabuses and assessments they offer are fair and appropriate to learners’ needs, and that standards are maintained over time.

Accrediting and monitoring qualifications to ensure they are of an appropriate standard, of value to learners and employers, and form a progressive learning programme for life.

Ensuring that qualifications link up between schools, colleges, universities and work. We are consulting with teachers, government, education and childcare agencies and industry so that together we can build an education and training system for the future that will improve the way that children and adults learn throughout life.

Dealing with learners’ complaints if they think that they have not had a fair deal from their awarding body and making sure that complaints are taken seriously and acted upon.