Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998

Duty of the Council to conduct examinations and assessments

74.—(1) The Council shall, subject to the following provisions of this Article—

(a) conduct the relevant examinations;

(b) conduct the relevant assessments, in accordance with such assessment arrangements as are specified under Article 7(1)(b) of the 1989 Order.

(2) For the purposes of this Article the power of the Council to conduct the relevant examinations includes power—

(a) to enter into arrangements for the conduct by any other person or body of all or any part of any such examinations on such terms and conditions (including conditions as to payment) as the Council may determine;

(b) to draw up and publish—

(i) rules and syllabuses;

(ii) specimen papers; and

(iii) such other material as it considers desirable, in connection with such examinations;

(c) to moderate, or arrange for the moderation of, such examinations;

(d) to award appropriate certificates in respect of such examinations.

(3) For the purposes of this Article the power of the Council to conduct the relevant assessments includes power—

(a) with the approval of the Department, to enter into arrangements for the conduct by any other person or body of all or any part of such assessments on such terms and conditions (including conditions as to payment) as the Council may determine;

(b) to draw up and publish—

(i) specimen papers; and

(ii) such other material as it considers desirable, in connection with such assessments;

(c) to moderate, or arrange for the moderation of, such assessments.

(4) The Council may charge such fees in connection with relevant examinations as may be approved by the Department.

(5) The Council shall make arrangements for the consideration by the Council of appeals against any decision or complaints against any action—

(a) taken by the Council under this Article; or

(b) taken in accordance with arrangements entered into by the Council under paragraph (2)(a) or (3)(a).

(6) In this Article—

• “examination” includes any examination, test or assessment for an academic or vocational qualification;

• “relevant assessments” means assessments of pupils required by Article 6(3) of the 1989 Order;

• “relevant examinations” means such examinations as the Department, after consultation with the Council, may determine.

(7) The Department shall notify the Council in writing of any determination made by it under paragraph (6).