Ofqual and freedom of information
Last updated on: 27/08/2008
Freedom of information
Ofqual embraces the spirit of openness of the Freedom of Information Act (2005). We provide the public with a great deal of information about our activities, which we publish on our website and in our online and print publications. We are covered by QCA's publication scheme (opens in new window) until we get our own statutory powers.
The Freedom of Information Act came into force in January 2005. It requires publicly funded organisations (not only government organisations but also schools, hospitals and local authorities, for example) to maintain a publication scheme and make this publicly available, put in place systems for effective records management and respond to requests from the public for information. The Act recognises the need to maintain government confidentiality in some circumstances and so it includes exemptions.
More about the Act can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office website (opens in new window).
Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to see information that an organisation holds about them. It also requires the organisation holding personal information to comply with a number of important principles. This legislation is not limited to government bodies, but also covers many commercial organisations. You can find out more about data protection from the Information Commissioner's Office website (opens in new window).
For queries about data protection issues within Ofqual please email info@ofqual.gov.uk
How to request information
Before making a freedom of information request please check that the information is not already on our website or available on the QCA Orderline.
Please make your requests to us at:
Freedom of Information Requests
Ofqual
Spring Place
Coventry Business Park
Herald Avenue
Coventry
CV5 6UB
Switchboard: 0300 303 3344
(Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.30pm)
Enquiry line: 0300 303 3346
(Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Textphone: 0300 303 3345
Fax: 0300 303 3348
Email: jane.howard@ofqual.gov.uk
Complaints
If you have a complaint about how Ofqual has responded to your request for information, including refusals to supply all or part of the information or charges made, please write to:
Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator
Spring Place
Coventry Business Park
Herald Avenue
Coventry
CV5 6UB
Switchboard: 0300 303 3344
(Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.30pm)
Enquiry line: 0300 303 3346
(Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Textphone: 0300 303 3345
Fax: 0300 303 3348
Email: info@ofqual.gov.uk
If you're not happy with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner by writing to:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
More about this can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.