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examining system is - to any outside observer - at the very least curious, and possibly
negligent behaviour by a regulator or a government department. Yet it is another
established feature of the English examining system.
No financial forecasts had adequately predicted AQA’s sharply escalating costs. The
merger had been expected to reduce costs but instead staffing levels increased; the
doubling of appeals over results had not been anticipated; IT developments required
ever-increasing investment. Inroads were made into reserves to cover the capital costs
of new hardware and software and to fund the increased staffing costs resulting from
the merger. Eventually that source was exhausted and in January of 2003 AQA’s
management had to request from its governing Council a supplement to the budget of
a total of £760 103 as a result of a combination of budgetary pressures summarised as
follows:
AQA has faced a number of extraordinary financial pressures since its creation
in 2000. Firstly, it had to develop new syllabus specifications, designed and
assessed by QCA without regard to development costs, for all of its mainstream
services [А-level subjects]. This has also included the delivery of huge volumes
of printed materials to support the new specifications and deliver substantial in
service training programmes to support the teaching community. Secondly, to
create the infrastructure and ICT systems needed to deliver the new services.
These factors have generated both one-off development costs which have still
not completely run through the system [sic]. They have also generated some
ongoing costs as AQA ,s examinations have moved predominantly from a linear
style of operation to a modular style. Thirdly, it has incurred one-off costs
created by the merger. Finally, it has been obliged to address a number of
fundamental issues outside the scope of its control. For example:
National shortage of examiners.
Impact of multi-regulation on AQA ,s affairs.
Increases in national insurance contributions.
Increases in pension contributions coupled with the full impact of the loss of tax
exemptions to superannuation schemes.
Shortage of accommodation.
Plunging equity markets.
Increased litigation from former employees and fee-earning personnel.
(AQA 2003a)