§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he held with educational bodies and schools in Wales over his proposal to withdraw the certificate of education.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe decision to phase out the certificate of education was based on advice received from the School Examinations and Assessment Council (SEAC) on the national curriculum statutory arrangements for GCSE and other assessments for 16-year-old pupils at end of key stage 4. SEAC advised that the certificate of education would not meet the national curriculum requirements. The statutory annual consultation with LEAs and examining groups on the list of approved qualifications for use in schools will take place later this month.