Schools Council for Curriculum and Examinations

The Schools Council was established in 1964 by the Secretary of State for Education. It took over responsibility for curriculum and examinations previously undertaken by the Secondary Schools Examination Council and the Curriculum Study Group. In 1969, with a revised constitution, it became a registered charity and, in 1970, an independent body financed in equal parts by government and local education authorities. A wide range of educational bodies, including teachers' organisations, were represented on the Council. In 1983-1984 its work was taken over by the Schools Curriculum Development Committee and the Secondary Schools Examination Council. In 1984 it went into voluntary liquidation. It was a non-directive body intended to provide leadership in curriculum, examination and assessment development. Its work was undertaken by committees and working parties responsible for different programmes. It commissioned much research into these areas and published a large quantity of reports.