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Established in April 2010 under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children, and Learning Act 2009, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) plays a crucial role in the education landscape of England. Regulated by both the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and the Education Act 2011, OFQUAL operates as a non-ministerial government department with a focus on ensuring the reliability and integrity of qualifications and assessments.
Who is OFQUAL?
As a non-ministerial government department, OFQUAL consists of 240 dedicated permanent employees as of March 2021, headquartered in central Coventry. The organisation's core responsibility lies in overseeing regulated qualifications to ensure they accurately reflect the knowledge, skills, and understanding that students have demonstrated.
Responsibilities of OFQUAL
OFQUAL's primary responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that regulated qualifications maintain their reliability in indicating students' achievements.
- Validating that assessments and exams accurately represent students' accomplishments.
- Building confidence in the qualifications that OFQUAL regulates.
- Providing students and teachers with comprehensive information on the full range of qualifications under their purview.
Priorities for 2022 to 2025
In its strategic plan for 2022 to 2025, OFQUAL outlines its key priorities:
- Quality and Fairness: Ensuring equitable access to quality education for students and apprentices.
- Market Clarity: Promoting transparency, effectiveness, and efficiency in the qualifications market.
- Future of Assessment: Shaping the evolution of assessment and qualifications to meet changing educational needs.
- Regulatory Development: Enhancing OFQUAL's effectiveness as a regulator and fostering inclusivity in employment practices.
By adhering to these priorities, OFQUAL aims to strengthen the education sector, promote fairness in assessments, and adapt to the evolving needs of students and the education system. OFQUAL plays a vital role in upholding educational standards, fostering confidence in qualifications, and ensuring a robust framework for learning and assessment in England.