Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make it easier for whistleblowers to come forward when rules are broken by teachers, students and schools in SATS tests, GCSEs and A-levels.

Ofqual is a prescribed body within the meaning of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 for matters falling within its jurisdiction, which would include qualifying disclosures of malpractice in public examinations (such as GCSEs and A levels).

I have asked its Chief Regulator, Glenys Stacey to write directly to the hon. Member on this issue. A copy of her response will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

In relation to Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) do not require the name of an individual or contact details to undertake an investigation against a school. STA maladministration processes protect whistleblowers by ensuring that allegations are not shared in detail during or after an investigation. Information published on the GOV.uk website details how an individual or body can raise a concern with STA and that the STA will protect the whistleblower's identity.

Ofqual’s policy for addressing concerns raised by whistleblowers is published online at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-malpractice-or-wrongdoing-to-ofqual