Qualifications
AQA GCSE English 2012
The Minister commissioned a review of AQA GCSE English 2012 by the local qualifications regulator the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) following concerns about results received by pupils taking GCSE English with AQA.
The review makes six recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the Minister. The Minister said: “I am accepting each of the recommendations made by the regulator. I have now tasked CCEA to work in conjunction with the regulators in England and Wales to ensure that the recommendations are implemented across all Awarding Organisations operating here”. A copy of the full report is attached below.
CCEA GCSE English Report - PDF 525 KB
Review of GCSE and GCE A-Level qualifications
Education Minister, John O’Dowd has announced a fundamental review of GCSE and GCE A-Level qualifications in the north of Ireland.
Speaking during a debate in the Assembly chamber on 1 October, Minister O’Dowd said: “In the context of a wider programme of reform designed to improve the quality of our education system, I have been considering how best to ensure that the attainment of our young people is rewarded and recognised in a way that is robust, fair, equitable and credible in the eyes of parents, teachers, business and industry and other education providers including universities.
"I feel the time is right to commission the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment to conduct a “root and branch” review of GCSE and A level qualifications here. Michael Gove’s recent announcement reinforces the need for us to act.
“I will want CCEA to consult with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure that their views are taken into consideration before reporting back to me with its advice.”
The review will last until June 2013, with interim reports expected in January and March 2013.
The Terms of Reference for the Review PDF 28.2KB is available for download.
Education Minister’s full statement to the Assembly on the review of GCSE and A Level Qualifications - 1 October 2012 can be accessed via the link below:
Statement to the Assembly on Review of GCSEs and A Levels PDF 60.3KB
Consultation - Policy on Proposed changes to GCSEs
The Department of Education launched a twelve week consultation inviting comments in relation to proposed changes to GCSEs; namely assessment being taken at the end of the two year course (moving from the current unitised assessments to linear assessment arrangements) and an increased emphasis in mark schemes on Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG).
The consultation commenced on 10 October 2011 and ended 30 December 2011. A total 460 responses were received.
Final Policy Documentation
The final policy documentation can be accessed via the links below.
Final Policy Document PDF 267KB
Equality Screening Document PDF 305KB
Any queries should be addressed to the Assessment & Qualifications Team:
By email: aqt@deni.gov.uk
Approved Qualifications for Key Stage 4
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:
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.
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.
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 30.8 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.
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
Ofqual is the independent regulator of vocational qualifications in the north of Ireland and of qualifications (other than degrees) in England, accountable to the Assembly and to Parliament. Ofqual gives formal recognition to bodies and organisations that deliver qualifications and assessment and also accredit their awards and monitor their activities. The details of qualifications and organisations Ofqual regulates can be found on The Register. Further information can be found at www.ofqual.gov.uk
The Register
The Register of Regulated Qualifications contains details of organisations and qualifications Ofqual regulates. It replaces the previous National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ). There are available links to view recognised awarding organisations and regulated qualifications; the register can be found at http://register.ofqual.gov.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
