Chapter 3Functions in relation to curriculum, Early Years Foundation Stage and assessment
181Curriculum
(1)The QCDA must keep under review all aspects of the curriculum.
(2)The QCDA—
(a)may advise the Secretary of State on matters concerning the curriculum, and
(b)must advise the Secretary of State on any such matters which are referred to the QCDA by the Secretary of State.
(3)The QCDA may and, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, must—
(a)carry out programmes of research and development for purposes connected with the curriculum, or
(b)commission, co-ordinate or facilitate the carrying out of such programmes.
(4)The QCDA may publish and disseminate, or facilitate the publication or other dissemination of, information relating to the curriculum.
(5)In this Part “the curriculum” means the curriculum for—
(a)pupils at maintained schools in England who have not ceased to be of compulsory school age, and
(b)pupils at maintained nursery schools in England.
182Early learning goals and educational programmes
(1)The QCDA must keep under review all aspects of the early learning goals and educational programmes.
(2)The QCDA—
(a)may advise the Secretary of State on matters concerning the early learning goals and educational programmes, and
(b)must advise the Secretary of State on any such matters which are referred to the QCDA by the Secretary of State.
(3)The QCDA may and, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, must—
(a)carry out programmes of research and development for purposes connected with the early learning goals and educational programmes, or
(b)commission, co-ordinate or facilitate the carrying out of such programmes.
(4)The QCDA may publish and disseminate, or facilitate the publication or other dissemination of, information relating to the early learning goals and educational programmes.
(5)In this Part “the early learning goals and educational programmes” means the requirements specified under section 39(1)(a) of the Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21) by virtue of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 41(2) of that Act.
183Assessment arrangements
(1)The QCDA must keep under review all aspects of assessment arrangements within its remit.
(2)The QCDA—
(a)may advise the Secretary of State on matters concerning assessment arrangements within its remit, and
(b)must advise the Secretary of State on any such matters which are referred to the QCDA by the Secretary of State.
(3)The QCDA may and, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, must—
(a)carry out programmes of research and development for purposes connected with assessment arrangements within its remit, or
(b)commission, co-ordinate or facilitate the carrying out of such programmes.
(4)The QCDA may publish and disseminate, or facilitate the publication or other dissemination of, information relating to assessment arrangements within its remit.
(5)For the purposes of this Part the following are assessment arrangements within the QCDA’s remit—
(a)regulated assessment arrangements;
(b)arrangements which do not fall within paragraph (a) but which are for tests and other assessments in respect of—
(i)pupils at maintained schools in England who have not ceased to be of compulsory school age, and
(ii)pupils at maintained nursery schools in England.