Qualifications

The Department of Education issues a list of approved qualifications that schools may provide for pupils in Key Stage 4 and provides advice to help schools in introducing the Entitlement Framework.The most up-to-date version is available through the Circulars section of the DE website.

Regulations on the use of mark enhancements in examinations, in cases where disabled students have been granted exemptions

The Department of Education has made a further set of regulations – “The Special Educational Needs and Disability (General Qualifications Bodies) (Relevant Qualifications, Reasonable Steps and Physical Features) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009”.

The regulations specify that in cases where a candidate has been exempted from one or more components of an examination on the grounds of disability, it is always a reasonable step to assess a candidate in relation to the components of that examination taken by him or her as if those components comprised the entire examination.

The regulations issued for consultation on 6 October 2008 and closed 28 November 2008. A total of six responses were received.

A summary of the responses to the consultation PDF 23.9KB is available to download.

The regulations are available at www.opsi.gov.uk and copies may also be purchased from TSO Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GD.

Information about the content of the regulations is provided in:

Circular 2009/03-Regulations on the use of mark enhancements in examinations, in cases where students with disabilities have been granted exemptions from one or more components of an examination-PDF 53.2 KB

The circular provides information about a further set of regulations which the Department of Education has made under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

Uimhir an Chiorcláin 2009/03-RIALACHÁN MAIDIR LE hÚSÁID A BHAINT AS FEABHSÚCHÁIN MARCANNA I SCRÚDUITHE, I gCÁSANNA INÁR DEONAÍODH DÍOLÚINE Ó CHUID AMHÁIN NÓ NÍOS MÓ DE SCRÚDÚ DO MHIC LÉINN ATÁ FAOI MHÍCHUMAS-PDF 77.1 KB

Cuireann an imlitir eolas ar fáil faoi shraith eile rialachán atá déanta ag an Roinn Oideachais faoin Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.'

Regulations prohibiting discrimination by General Qualifications Bodies on the grounds of disability

The Department of Education (DE) has made two sets of regulations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 which make it unlawful for general qualifications bodies to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of disability.

One set of regulations prescribes the list of qualifications covered by the 2005 Order; the other outlines the enforcement mechanisms for making a claim of unlawful discrimination against a general qualifications body.

Information about the content of the regulations is provided in Circular 2008/07 Regulations Prohibiting Discrimination by General Qualifications Bodies on the Grounds of Disability PDF 57 KB.

The regulations were the subject of a consultation exercise undertaken by DE during the period 30 July to 19 October 2007. A summary of the responses to the consultation PDF 30 KB is available.

The regulations are available at www.opsi.gov.uk and copies may also be purchased from TSO Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GD.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)

QCA is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Amongst it's responsibilities are the accreditation of qualifications and the recognition of awarding bodies. It also is responsible for the National Qualifications Framework which sets out the different levels at which qualifications can be recognised, helping learners make informed choices about the qualifications they persue. Further information can be found at www.qca.org.uk

open QUALS

openQUALS is QCA's online database of accredited qualifications. You can search by keyword for both general and vocational qualifications. The database is updated weekly and can be found - www.openquals.org.uk

Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)

JCQ is the the organisation representing the Awarding Bodies offering the majority of qualifications on offer in the UK. It helps the Awarding Bodies to create common standards and guidance on issues such as Access Arrangements and Special Consideration. Further details can be found at www.jcq.org.uk