Part 7The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
Chapter 1Establishment, objectives and general duties
Objectives and general duties
I1128Objectives
1
Ofqual's objectives are—
a
the qualifications standards objective,
b
the assessments standards objective,
c
the public confidence objective,
d
the awareness objective, and
e
the efficiency objective.
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The qualifications standards objective is to secure that—
a
regulated qualifications give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding, and
b
regulated qualifications indicate —
i
a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications, and
ii
a consistent level of attainment (but not over time) between regulated qualifications and comparable qualifications (including those awarded outside the United Kingdom) which are not qualifications to which this Part applies.
3
The assessments standards objective is to promote the development and implementation of regulated assessment arrangements which—
a
give a reliable indication of achievement, and
b
indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable assessments.
4
The public confidence objective is to promote public confidence in regulated qualifications and regulated assessment arrangements.
5
The awareness objective is to promote awareness and understanding of—
a
the range of regulated qualifications available,
b
the benefits of regulated qualifications to learners, employers and institutions within the higher education sector, and
c
the benefits of recognition under section 132 to bodies awarding or authenticating qualifications to which this Part applies.
6
The efficiency objective is to secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently and in particular that any relevant sums payable to a body awarding or authenticating a qualification in respect of which the body is recognised under section 132 represent value for money.
7
For the purposes of subsection (6) a sum is relevant if it is payable in respect of the award or authentication of the qualification in question.
I2129General duties
1
So far as reasonably practicable, in performing its functions Ofqual must act in a way—
a
which is compatible with its objectives, and
b
which it considers most appropriate for the purpose of meeting its objectives.
2
So far as relevant, in performing its functions Ofqual must have regard to—
a
the need to ensure that the number of regulated qualifications available for award or authentication is appropriate;
b
the other reasonable requirements of relevant learners, including persons with F3special educational needs ;
c
the reasonable requirements of pupils and children, including persons with F4special educational needs , in relation to regulated assessment arrangements;
d
the reasonable requirements of industry, commerce, finance, the professions and other employers regarding education and training (including required standards of practical competence);
e
the reasonable requirements of institutions within the higher education sector;
f
information provided to Ofqual by a person falling within subsection (4);
g
the desirability of facilitating innovation in connection with the provision of regulated qualifications;
h
the specified purposes of regulated assessment arrangements.
3
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a) the number of regulated qualifications available for award or authentication is appropriate if the number is such that—
a
there is a reasonable level of choice for learners, in terms of both the number of different regulated qualifications and the number of different forms of such qualifications, but
b
the number of different regulated qualifications in similar subject areas or serving similar functions is not excessive.
4
The persons falling within this subsection are—
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b
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills;
c
such other relevant persons, or relevant persons of such a description, as the Secretary of State may direct.
5
In subsection (4)(c) “relevant person” means a person who appears to the Secretary of State to have knowledge of, or expertise in, requirements of a kind mentioned in subsection (2)(d).
6
In performing its functions Ofqual must also have regard to such aspects of government policy as the Secretary of State may direct.
7
The Secretary of State must publish a direction given under subsection (6).
8
Ofqual must perform its functions efficiently and effectively.
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11
“Relevant learner” means a person seeking to obtain, or who may reasonably be expected to seek to obtain, a regulated qualification.