(1)There shall be established—
(a)a body corporate known as the National Curriculum Council;
(b)a body corporate known as the Curriculum Council for Wales; and
(c)a body corporate known as the School Examinations and Assessment Council;
each of which shall perform the functions assigned to it by this Chapter.
(2)Each Council shall consist of not less than ten or more than fifteen members appointed by the Secretary of State, of whom—
(a)one shall be so appointed as chairman; and
(b)another may be so appointed as deputy chairman;
and members so appointed shall include persons having relevant knowledge or experience in education.
(3)The general functions of the Curriculum Council, that is to say, the National Curriculum Council in relation to England and the Curriculum Council for Wales in relation to Wales, shall be—
(a)to keep all aspects of the curriculum for maintained schools under review;
(b)to advise the Secretary of State on such matters concerned with the curriculum for maintained schools as he may refer to it or as it may see fit;
(c)to advise the Secretary of State on, and if so requested by him assist him to carry out, programmes of research and development for purposes connected with the curriculum for schools;
(d)to publish and disseminate, and to assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to the curriculum for schools; and
(e)to carry out such ancillary activities as the Secretary of State may direct.
(4)The functions of the School Examinations and Assessment Council shall be—
(a)to keep all aspects of examinations and assessment under review;
(b)to advise the Secretary of State on such matters concerned with examinations and assessment as he may refer to it or as it may see fit;
(c)to advise the Secretary of State on, and if so requested by him assist him to carry out, programmes of research and development for purposes connected with examinations and assessment;
(d)to publish and disseminate, and to assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to examinations and assessment;
(e)to make arrangements with appropriate bodies for the moderation of assessments made in pursuance of assessment arrangements;
(f)to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his powers under section 5(1) of this Act; and
(g)to carry out such ancillary activities as the Secretary of State may direct.
(5)For the purposes of subsection (3)(e) or (as the case may be) subsection (4)(g) above, activities are ancillary activities in relation to a Council if the Secretary of State considers it is appropriate for the Council to carry out those activities for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise by the Council of any of its other functions under that subsection.
(6)It shall be the duty of each Council—
(a)to furnish the Secretary of State with such reports and other information with respect to the exercise of its functions as he may require; and
(b)in exercising its functions—
(i)to comply with any directions given, and to act in accordance with any plans approved, by the Secretary of State; and
(ii)to have regard to the requirements of section 1 of this Act.
(7)Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to each Council.