Ofqual to change publication of geographical data breakdowns

Exams watchdog Ofqual is changing how it publishes geographical breakdowns of data in Official/National Statistics outputs.

For the academic year 2017 to 2018 and beyond, publications will be based on data for England only.

Data for learners in Wales and Northern Ireland will now be the responsibility of Qualification Wales (the Welsh regulator) and CCEA (Northern Ireland regulator).

Ofqual states that the separation of statistics is due to changes to the qualifications and regulatory systems in three jurisdictions.

The divergence means that joint reporting of statistics does not remain appropriate. Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA are working together to ensure a smooth transition, in consultation with the UK Statistics Authority.

For the remainder of the academic year 2016/17, Ofqual will publish data tables for learners in Wales and Northern Ireland without commentary, alongside revised publications that discuss the data for England only.

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