School Examinations and Assessment Council

HC Deb 19 October 1988 vol 138 cc863-4W

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the establishment of the School Examinations and Assessment Council.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The School Examinations and Assessment Council, set up in shadow form earlier this year, was formally established under section 14 of the Education Reform Act 1988 on 15 August with a full complement of 15 members. The council's chairman is Mr. Philip Halsey, CB, LVO, who will also act as the council's chief executive. The council has been designated the body responsible for approving syllabuses and syllabus criteria under section 5 of the Act. I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of my letter to Mr. Halsey of 28 September about the work of the council.