The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom. In England QCA maintains and develops the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations; and accredits and monitors qualifications in colleges and at work and advises the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on these matters. QCA oversees the work of the awarding bodies in England, to ensure that their administration, marking and awarding procedures run smoothly. The QCA also has responsibility for vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. Image File history File links QCA_logo. ... The term Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation (or QUANGO), attributed to Sir Douglas Hague, was originally invented as a joke, but fell into common usage in the United Kingdom to describe the agencies produced by the growing trend of government devolving power to appointed, or self-appointed bodies. ... The Department for Education and Skills is a department in the United Kingdom government created in 2001. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. ... The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is the chief minister of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom government. ... An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities. ...

Education and qualifications in other parts of the United Kingdom are the responsibility of devolved governments and agencies. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Devolution. ...

QCA works closely with its main strategic partners, including the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) , employers' organisations, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) and the Sector Skills Councils (SSC). The Department for Education and Skills is a department in the United Kingdom government created in 2001. ... Ofsted logo The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is a non-ministerial government department, established in 1993 under the Education (Schools) Act 1992. ... The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is responsable for the initial and in-service training of teachers and other school staff in England and Wales. ... The Learning and Skills Council is an Executive Agency of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom and is responsible for planning and funding further education (post-16 education and training other than higher education) in England. ... The General Teaching Council for England (the GTC) is the professional body for teaching in England. ... Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are state-sponsored, employer-led organisations that cover a specific economic sector in the United Kingdom. ...

QCA also collaborates with the other public qualification agencies in the UK: the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland (CCEA). The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Executive responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees in Scotland. ... Awdurdod Cymwysterau, Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru (ACCAC) is the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales. ... The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) is an examination board in Northern Ireland. ...

QCA is based in Piccadilly, London. Piccadilly is a major London street, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

History

QCA was formed on 1 October 1997 through a merger of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA). QCA has additional powers and duties granted to it by the Education Act 1997, which established the role of the QCA. Under Section 24 of this Act, QCA was granted the right to regulate all external qualifications in England. is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ... The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is a non-governmental public body. ...

In April 2004, QCA launched the National Assessment Agency to take over its role in the delivery and administration of National Curriculum assessments. 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December Deaths in April • 18 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara • 19 Norris McWhirter • 22 Pat Tillman • 24 Estée Lauder Other recent deaths Ongoing events EU Enlargement Exploration of Mars: Rovers Haiti Rebellion Reconstruction of Iraq – Occupation & Resistance Israeli... The National Assessment Agency (NAA) is a subsidiary unit of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). ... National Curriculum assessments are a series of educational assessments carried out on children attending schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that follow the National Curriculum. ...

Responsibilities and areas

QCA is responsible for overseeing several areas of education in England:

Examination system

QCA regulates the public examination system, so that it is responsive to the needs of learners and society and is responsible for the development, delivery and administration of high-quality national tests.

National Curriculum

QCA develops the national curriculum, which defines the knowledge, understanding and skills to which children and young people are entitled. It is kept under review, to evaluate its appropriateness and relevance to the changing needs of learners and society.

National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework enables QCA to accredit qualifications at appropriate levels to meet the needs of employers and learners. QCA funds occupational standards, supports learning at work and regularly reviews the suitability and availability of qualifications, to ensure that the needs of learners, employers and the economy are met. The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. ...

External links

• QCA website