Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

QCDA are developing curriculum guidance for the phase four Diploma Lines of Learning: Humanities and social sciences; Languages and international communication and Science (at Foundation and Higher levels). We want to improve upon the good work done in phases one, two and three, and provide even more in depth and exciting guidance. We are keen to get as much input on the draft guidance as possible and by taking part in the online consultation you will be able to help us further develop the guidance. We intend the guidance to be used by both curriculum planners and specialist teachers of specific Diplomas, at all levels, in schools and colleges. The Diploma is a new qualification and we want to illustrate the unique offer it has for the learner and so your feedback is important to us.

In the October 2008 Report on Expert Group on Assessment, it was recommended that the key stage 2 national curriculum tests are moved from May to June in 2011. Following this, we would like to invite you to provide feedback on the proposed dates for the national curriculum tests in 2011.

QCDA is consulting on draft criteria for GCSEs in science subjects. The draft criteria are designed to make sure all GCSE students develop appropriate scientific knowledge, understanding and skills and support their progression to A levels, other qualifications or employment. New specifications based on the revised criteria will start in September 2011.

QCDA is consulting on draft regulatory criteria which will form the basis of the next generation of functional skills qualifications. In late 2009 Ofqual will publish the regulatory criteria that will provide the basis for regulating the design, development and delivery of these qualifications from 2010 onwards.

Wide ranging public consultation on four aspects of the national curriculum:

• proposals to change the primary curriculum
• proposals on the teaching of PSHE
• revised subject level descriptions
• updated guidance on the teaching of religious education.

QCA is consulting on draft criteria for AS/A levels in mathematics, further mathematics, use of mathematics and use of statistics. This consultation is part of a review of mathematics provision at level 3.

QCA is consulting on the phase 4 Diploma line of learning (LoL) criteria. The consultation is aimed at representatives from awarding bodies, colleges, schools, universities, employers and other organisations who are interested in shaping the new Diplomas. The LoL criteria are regulatory documents developed by QCA and approved by Ofqual and are used by awarding bodies to develop principal learning qualifications. The LoL criteria define the line of learning specific knowledge, skills and understanding at Foundation (level 1), Higher (level 2), and Advanced (level 3) levels that must be covered as a minimum by principal learning.

QCA is leading the evidence-gathering and consultation activities to support Sir Jim Rose's independent review of the primary curriculum. QCA has organised a series of events, and is running a number of online forums and surveys to gather feedback and information on the state of the current curriculum, and to gather views on how a new curriculum could look. For background information, summaries of evidence and research undertaken to date, and to contribute to our thinking on the new primary curriculum, see our Thinking Primary web pages. Statutory consultation will follow the release of Sir Jim's final report, expected during April 2009.

QCA is consulting on curriculum guidance materials for foundation, higher and advanced Diplomas in public services, retail business, sport and active leisure and travel and tourism. The guidance is designed to support practitioners in schools and colleges introducing these Diploma lines of learning from September 2010.

QCA is consulting on draft subject criteria for GCSEs in English, English language, English literature, mathematics and ICT from 26 June until 30 September 2008. GCSE subject criteria are being reviewed in response to the 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper, the review of the secondary curriculum and the introduction and development of new qualifications, including Diplomas and functional skills. Specifications based on these criteria are scheduled to be accredited for first teaching from September 2010.

QCA is consulting on Line of Learning criteria for Diploma qualifications in public services, retail, sport and active leisure, and travel and tourism from 6 May until 20 June 2008. The criteria specify the requirements for developing and accrediting units and/or qualifications for Diplomas in these Lines of Learning. Registration for the consultation events has now closed, but you can contribute to the consultation via an online questionnaire.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced in September that the Government would establish an independent regulator of qualifications and tests in England. Confidence in Standards: Regulating and developing qualifications and assessment sets out the detail of these proposals.

The qualifications regulators are consulting on regulatory arrangements designed to support implementation of the QCF from August 2008 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, subject to confirmation by ministers in the three countries. The consultation covers the requirements that are intended to apply to organisations and qualifications within the QCF and a set of implementation proposals.

Evaluation of new science GCSEs, BTECs and OCR Nationals introduced in September 2006

QCA is carrying out an evaluation of the implementation of the new KS4 science qualifications which began in September 2006. This consultation survey is part of that programme and its purpose is to seek the views and experiences of those involved in introducing and teaching the new science KS4 courses in schools and colleges.

QCA Consultation on Draft accreditation criteria for new applied language units and qualifications for inclusion within the Diploma ASL catalogue

This QCA consultation will consider how languages can be made more engaging and accessible in Diplomas and the guidance that is required. This includes proposals for new small, flexible language provision within the Additional and Specialist Learning component, contextualised to the line of learning.

Having published curriculum guidance for the first five Diploma Lines of Learning (due for first teaching in September 2008), QCA is now consulting on similar guidance for the next five Lines of Learning: business, administration and finance; environmental and land-based studies; hair and beauty studies; hospitality; and manufacturing and product design.

QCA has been asked by government to investigate ways in which employers can engage more directly in the national qualification system. This consultation survey is part of that programme and its purpose is to invite employers to give their views on the benefits they envisage from having their in-house training recognised within the national system, and the ways in which this might best be achieved.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the regulators for Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) are keen for a wide range of stakeholders, particularly, teachers, subject communities and awarding bodies, to contribute to revisions prior to the publication of the agreed criteria.