The Sutherland Inquiry 2008
Last updated on: 11/07/2008
Inquiry into 2008 national curriculum test delivery
On 4 July 2008 the National Assessment Agency (NAA) announced that the 2008 key stage 2 and key stage 3 national curriculum test results would not be available online to schools by the scheduled date of 8 July. The NAA stated that the online key stage 2 results would be delayed until 15 July but that key stage 3 marking would not be completed by that date. Those key stage 3 results that were available would be released by the end of that week.
In response to this development Ofqual announced an inquiry into the late delivery of this year's test results. Stewart Sutherland (Lord Sutherland of Houndwood) has agreed to lead the Inquiry and report to Ofqual on the problems with the delivery of the tests. Lord Sutherland has also been asked to report separately to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on the delivery of the Department's policy by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the National Assessment Agency.
The terms of reference of this inquiry were published on 16 July and are available to download from this page.
On 11 August Lord Sutherland launched a call for written evidence to inform the Inquiry. The deadline for submission of evidence is 12 September 2008. A copy of Lord Sutherland's letter calling for evidence and a template for the submission of evidence can be downloaded from the Inquiry's website.