Education Act 1996

359 Functions

(1) The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority shall have, in relation to England, the following general functions so far as relevant for the purpose of advancing education—

(a) to keep under review all aspects of the curriculum for maintained schools and all aspects of school examinations and assessment;

(b) to advise the Secretary of State on such matters concerned with the curriculum for maintained schools or with school examinations and assessment as he may refer to them or as they may see fit;

(c) to advise the Secretary of State on, and if so requested by him assist him to carry out, programmes of research and development for purposes connected with the curriculum for schools or with school examinations and assessment;

(d) to publish and disseminate, and assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to the curriculum for maintained schools or to school examinations and assessment;

(e) to make arrangements with appropriate bodies for auditing the quality of assessments made in pursuance of assessment arrangements;

(f) to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his powers under section 400 (approval of external qualifications);

(g) to advise the Secretary of State on such other matters connected with the provision of education in maintained schools, or in non-maintained special schools, as the Secretary of State may specify by order; and

(h) to carry out such ancillary activities as the Secretary of State may direct.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (h) of subsection (1), activities are ancillary activities in relation to the Authority if the Secretary of State considers it is appropriate for the Authority to carry out those activities for the purposes of or in connection with the carrying out by the Authority of any of their other functions under that subsection.

(3) In carrying out their functions, the Authority shall—

(a) comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State,

(b) act in accordance with any plans approved by him, and

(c) so far as relevant, have regard to the requirements of section 351.

(4) The Authority shall supply the Secretary of State with such reports and other information with respect to the carrying out of their functions as he may require.

(5) In this section “non-maintained special school” means a special school not maintained by a local education authority.