Part V Supervision of curriculum for schools and external qualifications

Chapter IIF2Functions of the National Assembly for Wales

Annotations:

Functions of the F3National Assembly for Wales

Annotations:

30 Functions of the F4National Assembly for Wales in relation to external vocational and academic qualifications.

F51

This section applies for the purposes of the following functions with respect to external qualifications in relation to Wales—

F11a

to keep under review all aspects of such qualifications;

F11b

to provide support and advice to persons providing courses leading to such qualifications with a view to establishing and maintaining high standards in the provision of such courses;

F11c

to publish and disseminate, and assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to such qualifications;

F12ca

to develop and publish criteria for the recognition of persons who, as outside persons, award or authenticate such qualifications or credits in respect of components of such qualifications;

cb

to recognise, where they meet such criteria, any such persons who apply to be recognised;

d

to develop and publish criteria for the accreditation of such qualifications where they are awarded or authenticated by persons recognised under paragraph (cb);

F11e

to accredit, where they meet such criteria, any such qualifications submitted for accreditation;

F11f

to make arrangements (whether or not with others) for the development, setting or administration of tests or tasks which fall to be undertaken with a view to obtaining such qualifications and which fall within a prescribed description.

F61A

In subsection (1) (d)— “criteria” includes criteria that are to be applied for the purpose of ensuring that the number of different accredited qualifications in similar subject areas or serving similar functions is not excessive; and paragraph (e) of that subsection is to be construed accordingly.”;

F101B

The following functions are exercisable solely by the Welsh Ministers—

a

the functions set out in paragraphs (ca) and (cb) of subsection (1); and

b

the functions set out in the other paragraphs of that subsection so far as they relate to external qualifications other than National Vocational Qualifications.

1C

The functions set out in those other paragraphs so far as they relate to National Vocations Qualifications are exercisable as follows—

a

the functions set out in paragraphs (a) to (c), (d) and (ea) of subsection (1) are exercisable concurrently by the Welsh Ministers and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; and

b

the functions set out in paragraphs (e) and (f) of that subsection are exercisable solely by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

1D

Subsections (1B) and (1C) are subject to any exercise of the power conferred by subsection (2).

F72

The National Assembly for Wales may by order prescribe that—

i

a function specified in subsection (1) which is for the time being exercisable solely by the Assembly shall be exercised concurrently by the Assembly and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority;

ii

such a function which is for the time being exercisable solely by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority shall be exercised either concurrently by that Authority and the Assembly or solely by the Assembly;

iii

such a function which is for the time being exercisable concurrently by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Assembly shall be exercised solely by the Assembly.

F13

The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the following functions with respect to external qualifications, namely—

a

if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his powers under section 37 (approval of external qualifications); and

b

if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, to exercise any functions conferred on a designated body by regulations under that section.

F84

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5

In this section “external qualification” has the same meaning as in section 24.

F96

Subsection (7) of section 24 (interpretation of references to the award or authentication by outside persons of external qualifications or credits in respect of components of them) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.