The Education Committee has stated its approval of the
Government's wish to appoint Sir Ian Bauckham as the new Chief
Regulator of Ofqual.
The cross-party Committee has produced a report (attached), which
sets out its conclusions on pages 6-7, after holding a
pre-appointment hearing with Sir Ian on Tuesday, 10
December.
You can re-watch the public hearing on ParliamentTV.
Sir Ian has served as the Interim Chief Regulator of Ofqual since
January 2024, replacing Dr Jo Saxton. His position as permanent
Chief Regulator is a five-year term.
He was selected as the preferred candidate for the permanent role
by the previous Education Secretary, , and reconfirmed as the
Government's preferred candidate by the current Education
Secretary, MP.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Sir Ian discussed the following topics during the hearing, which
you can re-watch on ParliamentTV:
· At 10.09.00 Sir Ian makes a
statement on Ofqual's role in communicating with the sector and
public, including via the media, about the value of
qualifications and his intention to be “attentive to potential
shifts in public mood”.
· At 10.19.30 Sir Ian
discusses advice that former Chief Regulators of Ofqual have
given to him.
· At 10.30.30 there is
discussion of how ‘grade inflation' has been addressed.
· At 10.27.55 Sir Ian is
asked about the interruption to examinations caused by RAAC in
schools.
· From 10.33.20 Sir Ian
discusses the role of AI in marking assessments and composing
questions.
· At 10.42.00 Sir Ian is
asked to comment on the rollout of T Levels.
· At 11.00.20 the Chair
asks Sir Ian about the
framework of assistance provided to pupils and students with
SEND.
Pre-appointment scrutiny hearings by select committees are an
important part of the process for some of the most significant
public appointments made by ministers. They are used to gauge a
candidate's competence and independence of mind. The Committee's
statement in its report is not binding with regards to the
candidate's eligibility for the role.
