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Ofqual reports on the summer 2008 exams

31 October 2008

Ofqual has published today a report on the delivery of this summer's A level and GCSE exams in England.

As the new regulator of qualifications and exams in England, Ofqual has produced the report as part of its work to ensure that appropriate standards are established and maintained, and that systems work effectively.

Making a Difference - Promoting confidence in A level and GCSE exams in England: summer 2008, includes details of Ofqual's monitoring in the following areas:

  • 2008 summer exam series
  • awarding bodies' use of new technology
  • awarding bodies' customer service standards

Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual, said:

"The summer 2008 examination season was successful for the learners themselves, who achieved excellent results, and the awarding bodies who between them delivered eight and half million GCSEs and A levels grades on time.

“Our report on the performance of the awarding bodies during the summer exams season allows students, teachers, parents and the public to see the exact state of the examinations system. I believe that people can have confidence that examinations were well delivered this year and that standards are being maintained.

"This report details our monitoring findings, as well as information on the steps we have already taken to assure the quality of exams and any further measures we can take. Where we find issues concerning the standard of exams, we will act to address these issues to maintain the integrity of the exams system."

-ends-


Notes to editors

 

  1. The full report can be downloaded from this page 
  2. The report relates to the three English awarding bodies; AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
  3. Ofqual, and the regulators of external qualifications in Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) have also published a report, commissioned by PKF (UK) LLP, entitled an 'Investigation into the Burden for Centres caused by Awarding Body Monitoring'. This review focuses particularly on large further education (FE) centres with multiple awarding body relationships, and is only in relation to vocational qualifications. The centres reviewed were chosen by the qualifications’ regulators and represent England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The report can be downloaded from this page 
  4. Ofqual in its interim form is a part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). On 2 April 2008 Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced that the government intended to legislate to make Ofqual a separate statutory authority reporting directly to Parliament.
  5. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced the appointment of Kathleen Tattersall as Chair of Ofqual on 2 April 2008. Prior to legislation being passed to establish Ofqual on a statutory basis, Kathleen Tattersall is a QCA Board member and Chair of its Ofqual committee.
  6. For further information please contact the Ofqual press office Newsdesk on 0300 303 3342 or the out-of-hours duty press officer on 07798 924 552. Members of the public should contact the Ofqual helpline on 0300 303 3346. Alternative ways to contact Ofqual can be found in the contact us section of our website.