The English Examining Boards: Their route from independence to government outsourcing agencies

Date

Development

Rationale

Primary Effects

Indirect Effects

"1846

College OfPreceptors formed and
offered examinations to schools

To train teachers and examine
pupils in middle-class schools

Limited due to teachers’ low
status and perceived self-
ɪnterest_________________________

Teachers’ low status
tainted examinations

1854

Entry to Indian Civil Service by
examination established________________

To eliminate nepotism and
improve administration___________

Examinations solve
selection problems__________

Raised status of
examinations___________

1856

J L Brereton’s West Country
examinations held in Exeter at Easter

To improve young men’s
agricultural skills____________________

Interest generated in other
educational thinkers__________

Examinations seen as
effective at school level

1857

Oxford Local Exams Delegacy
established_______________________________

To accredit boys’ attainment at 15
and 18

University examines
secondary schools__________

University status confers
quality____________________

1858

Cambridge Local Exams Syndicate
established______________________________

To accredit attainment in schools
with Cambridge links__

Offered an alternative
university examining board

Established concept of
choice ofboards________

1858

London Matriculation established

To select for entrance to
Nonconformist University

College__

Selection by examination
spread beyond Oxbridge

Reinforced selection by
examination

1873    ”

Joint Oxford & Cambridge Board
established_______________________________

Headmaster’s Conference plea for
separate accreditation______________

Examinations accepted by
public schools______________

Enabled public schools
to exert influence_________

“1903

Joint Matriculation Board established

For selection to northern
universities________________________

Acceptance of university
boards in whole country_____

Endof possibilityof
single national body_____

1911

Dyke Acland Report

To address the multiplicity of
professional selection
examinations___________________

Recommended a single
national system

Confirmed role of
existing boards

1912    ’

National Certificates launched

To replace the many examinations
for selection to professions_________

National system

System and independent
boards___________________

~1917

Secondary Schools Examinations

Council established__

To act as a consultative body
overseeing the new system_______

Boards in majority as
recognised experts__________

Government role is at
arm’s length_____________