Role and responsibilities

93.The Department for Education will set the remit for responsible bodies to develop and deliver National Assessments in line with current policy as determined by the Secretary of State.

94.The Department for Education is expected to consider Ofqual’s recommendations for any changes to current assessment arrangements and, in particular, innovative approaches to developing and delivering assessments. These changes will have been thoroughly investigated following the procedures outlined in Section 4, ‘Managing change’. Ofqual will provide clear justification and a rationale for a proposed change and will confirm that the change can be implemented manageably.

95.The Department for Education may request Ofqual’s expert advice on specific issues.

96.The Department for Education:

• receives data from responsible bodies on how the national cohort of pupils has performed in the National Curriculum assessments and achievement data from local authorities for the Early Years Foundation Stage profile and key stage 1
• publishes these data
• may carry out international comparisons based on data from the statutory National Assessments.