The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) was an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) of the Department for Education. In England and Northern Ireland, the QCDA maintained and developed the National Curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations, advising the minister formerly known as the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and later known as the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, on these matters.
Regulatory functions regarding examination and assessment boards have been transferred to Ofqual, an independent regulator.
Education and qualifications in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government and their agencies. In Scotland, for example, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is the responsible body.
In May 2010 the Secretary of State announced his intention to promote legislation that would abolish QCDA. The agency closed in March 2012 and has been replaced in function by the new Standards and Testing Agency since 3 October 2011.
Read more about Qualifications And Curriculum Development Agency: Partners, History
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