Last updated: 19 Jun 2002

Today the DfES published a five yearly independent review of QCA. The review, carried out with Price Waterhouse between January and June 2002 emphasises the key role Government sees for the QCA in the future and reaffirms its status as a non-departmental public body.
The review team felt that "QCA has done a good job and is the right organisation to deliver its future agenda". The report praises QCA's professionalism and achievements to date together with the skills, expertise and commitment of its staff in 'ensuring that England's general qualifications system is hugely successful and highly regarded internationally'. Also singled out for praise are curriculum achievements in developing the foundation stage, reviewing the national curriculum, a substantial contribution to the green paper and the QCA website.
The report also commends QCA's quality assurance mechanisms 'for ensuring that the system of qualifications is so robust and for acting so effectively when there is a failure'.
The authority will continue to:

• monitor and provide advice on the curriculum
• advise ministers on external qualifications
• accredit and regulate external qualifications
• advise ministers on national assessment matters
• continue to deliver national tests.

QCA will conduct a feasibility study into the possibility of devolving the administration and marking of the tests to an independent organisation from 2005.

Welcoming the report Sir William Stubbs said: "This is a very useful stocktake of the organisation after the first five years and we welcome the positive endorsement of our work to date. We are delighted to find that we have laid the right foundations from which we may press forward to the next phase of QCA's development, which recommends a further refinement of our role in a strategic direction, engaged in wider policy developments.

"The strength of QCA's work depends on consultation and collaboration and we thank the many partners and stakeholders who have worked closely with us to shape advice and develop the national framework of qualifications. We look forward to deepening and expanding these working relationships even further over the next five years. We see particularly important work ahead in promoting the value of learning and parity of esteem between general and vocational qualifications, in partnership with higher education and employers. We share the Secretary of State's view that the school examinations system should be accurate, fair and reliable. One of the first tasks for our new Chief Executive, Dr Ken Boston, will be to consider this report and its recommendations."

The report also recommends that, by 2008, QCA should review its location in central London to see whether this remains the best option for recruiting and retaining the right people.

Notes to Editors

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