At a recent Cambridge Assessment seminar, Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual presented a historical perspective on the relationship of examination boards with schools and colleges, and discussed whether the experience of the past can help provide a direction for the future.
Kathleen, who is also former CEO of AQA, raises the issue of trust and the importance of professional teacher engagement in the system. Radical changes such as national curriculum entitlement; fewer awarding bodies; a shift of responsibilities from local authorities; greater control from Government; and national strategies and targets; have all shaped the way in which exam boards and teachers interact.
To underpin public confidence in the system, Kathleen calls for:
- Openness and transparency from all those involved
- An engagement in the debate about standards
- A Professional Code of Conduct for awarding bodies and for assessors whether in schools or working externally, together with a Code of Ethics.
Related materials