Education Act 1997

Functions of the AuthorityE+W

28 General function of Authority to advance education and training.E+W

(1)The functions conferred on the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales by this Part shall be exercised by the Authority for the purpose of advancing education and training in Wales.

(2)The Authority shall exercise their functions under this Part with a view to promoting quality and coherence in education and training in relation to which they have functions under this Part.

29 Functions of the Authority in relation to curriculum and assessment.E+W

(1)The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales shall have the functions set out in subsection (2) with respect to pupils of compulsory school age at maintained schools in Wales.

(2)The functions are—

(a)to keep under review all aspects of the curriculum for such schools and all aspects of school examinations and assessment;

(b)to advise the Secretary of State on such matters concerned with the curriculum for such schools or with school examinations and assessment as he may refer to them or as they 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 such schools or with school examinations and assessment;

(d)to publish and disseminate, and assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to the curriculum for such schools or to school examinations and assessment;

(e)to make arrangements with appropriate bodies for auditing the quality of assessments made in pursuance of assessment arrangements; and

(f)so far as relevant to such schools, the functions conferred by section 30(3).

(3)The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the function of developing learning goals and related materials for children who are [F1under compulsory school age.]

(4)The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the following functions in connection with baseline assessment schemes (within the meaning of Chapter I of Part IV), namely—

(a)if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, any function of a designated body under that Chapter; and

(b)any other function which may be conferred on the Authority by the Secretary of State.

(5)In this section “assessment” and “maintained school” have the same meaning as in section 23.

30 Functions of the Authority in relation to external vocational and academic qualifications.E+W

(1)The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales shall have, in relation to Wales, such functions with respect to external qualifications as are for the time being conferred on the Authority by an order made by the Secretary of State under this subsection [F2or by subsection (3)].

(2)The functions with respect to external qualifications which may be conferred on the Authority by an order under subsection (1) are functions falling within paragraphs (a) to (g) of section 24(2), and the functions in question may be so conferred so as to be exercisable either—

(a)solely by the Authority, or

(b)by the Authority concurrently with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

[(3)The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the following functions with respect to external qualifications, namely—

(a)if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his powers under section 37 (approval of external qualifications); and

(b)if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, to exercise any functions conferred on a designated body by regulations under that section.]

(4)Where an order under subsection (1) is made so as to come into force at any time after the day on which that subsection comes into force, the order may include provisions—

(a)for the transfer of staff, and

(b)for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities held, enjoyed or incurred in connection with any function which, as a result of the order, is to be exercisable by the Authority (whether solely or concurrently).

(5)In this section “external qualification” has the same meaning as in section 24.

31 Other functions of the Authority.E+W

(1)The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales shall advise the Secretary of State on such matters connected with the provision of education or training in Wales as the Secretary of State may specify by order.

(2)The Authority shall carry out such ancillary activities as the Secretary of State may direct.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) activities are ancillary activities in relation to the Authority if the Secretary of State considers it is appropriate for the Authority to carry out those activities for the purposes of or in connection with the carrying out by the Authority of any of their other functions under this Part.

(4)The Authority shall supply the Secretary of State with such reports and other information with respect to the carrying out of their functions as the Secretary of State may require.

[F3(5)The Authority may supply any person designated by the National Assembly for Wales with such information as the Authority thinks fit about any matter in relation to which it has a function.]

32 Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by Authority of their functions.E+W

(1)In carrying out their functions under this Part the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales shall—

(a)comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State; and

(b)act in accordance with any plans approved by him; and

(c)so far as relevant, have regard to—

(i)the requirements of section 351 of the M1Education Act 1996 (general duties in respect of curriculum),

(ii)the requirements of industry, commerce, finance and the professions regarding education and training (including required standards of practical competence), and

(iii)the requirements of persons with special learning needs.

(2)In carrying out those functions the Authority shall in addition have regard to information supplied to them by [F4Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru] or by any body designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

(3)Where in carrying out any of their functions under this Part the Authority accredit or approve any qualification, they may do so on such terms (including terms as to payment) and subject to such conditions as they may determine.

(4)Those conditions may in particular include conditions—

(a)placing a limit on the amount of the fee that can be demanded in respect of any award or authentication of the qualification in question; and

(b)requiring rights of entry to premises and to inspect and copy documents so far as necessary for the Authority to satisfy themselves that the appropriate standards are being maintained, in relation to the award or authentication of the qualification in question, by the persons receiving the accreditation or approval.

(5)Before exercising on any occasion their power to impose conditions falling within subsection (4)(a) the Authority shall obtain the consent of the Secretary of State as to such matters relating to the exercise of that power as he may determine.

(6)In this section “persons with special learning needs” has the same meaning as in section 26.