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to have at least one examining body which was not directly coupled with a
university' (Earnshaw 1974: 1)
The idea developed and was eventually discussed at the Ministry of Education in
March 1949. Among those in attendance were “...four members of the Secondary
Schools Examinations Council, ...as well as the Ministry officers and the Union
representatives” (Eamshaw 1974: 2). Not included was any representative from an
existing examining board. Once again in English educational policy making, the only
people with real experience of examining were not involved at an early stage.
Although this might be explained by the focus in this case being on examinations in
technical and commercial subjects where the existing Boards were not experienced, it
soon became clear that the proposed new Board was to have a wider remit:
The SSEC and the Ministry representatives thought that if a ninth examining
body was set up, it should not be restricted to technical subjects, but should
provide syllabuses and examinations in general subjects also designed for
Secondary Technical pupils, part-time students, and later for County College
[Further Education] students.
(Earnshaw 1974: 2)
Here was clear evidence that the Ministry, with its new influence within the SSEC,
was minded to take an active role in developments within the examining world.
A working party was set up to develop the idea. This comprised representatives of the
regional technical bodies, augmented by the City & Guilds Institute, the Royal
Society of Arts and the London Chamber of Commerce - all with an established
interest in assessment of applied skills. After discussions over the course of a year, the
SSEC recommended to the Minister of Education on 16 March 1950 that a ninth5
examining body be approved in principle. It was not until April that “the Council sent
out a letter to the eight university boards asking for their concurrence, co-operation
in this project, and their comments on the draft statement...” (Eamshaw 1974: 4).