The Select Committee Inquiry

The Education Select Committee inquiry into the administration of examinations for 15 to 19 year olds in England was set up in September last year.

It is considering the benefits and drawbacks of the existence of several awarding bodies for qualifications and the extent to which the current systems delivers the best and fairest educational outcomes for young people.

The inquiry received almost 60 written submissions from a range of individuals and organisations, including treachers, examiners, examining boards, subject assocations and trade unions on issues including

• the arguments in favour of and against having a range of awarding bodies for the academic and applied qualifications (including A-levels, GCSEs, Diplomas, BTECs and OCR Nationals) and the merits of alternative arrangments such as havign one national body or examination boards franchised to offer qualifications in particular subjects or fields
• how to ensure accurace in setting papers, marking scripts and awarding grades
• the commercial activities of awarding bodies, including examination fees and textbooks, and their impact on schools and pupils.

The inquiry's remity does not inclide looking at the design or merits of particular qualifications, or scope for change to the range of qualifications offered.

Ref: pg 13, Spring 2012, Make the Grade, CEIA