Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009

171 Annual and other reports E+W+N.I.

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each reporting period Ofqual must prepare and publish a report for the period (“the annual report”).

(2) The annual report must include—

(a) a statement of what Ofqual has done in performing its functions in the reporting period;

(b) an assessment of the extent to which Ofqual has met its objectives in that period;

(c) details of any information obtained by Ofqual in that period on the levels of attainment in relevant regulated qualifications.

(3) “Relevant regulated qualifications” are regulated qualifications that are taken wholly or mainly by pupils at schools in England.

(4) An assessment under subsection (2)(b) in respect of the qualifications standards objective must in particular explain how, in making the assessment, Ofqual has taken account of any information within subsection (2)(c) obtained in the reporting period or an earlier reporting period.

(5) If arrangements of the kind mentioned in section 150(2) (arrangements for referral of complaints to an independent party) were in place during the reporting period, the annual report must include a description of the activities of the independent party during the reporting period.

(6) Ofqual must—

(a) lay a copy of each annual report before Parliament;

(b) (so far as it relates to Northern Ireland) lay a copy of each annual report before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(7) Ofqual may prepare and publish other reports on matters relating to its functions.

(8) If Ofqual prepares and publishes a report under subsection (7) it may—

(a) lay a copy of the report before Parliament;

(b) (so far as it relates to Northern Ireland) lay a copy of the report before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(9) Ofqual may comply with subsection (1) by preparing and publishing a single document or separate documents in relation to England and to Northern Ireland.

(10) In this section “reporting period” means—

(a) the period (being not longer than 12 months) beginning with the day on which section 127 comes into force and ending on such date as Ofqual decides;

(b) each successive period of 12 months.