MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING ANNOUNCES RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE ACCAC BOARD

14 Jul 2005 04:15 PM

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, today (Thursday 14 July) announced the re-appointment of two members to serve on the Board for the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC).

The members who have been re-appointed are :- Mr Owen Rees – Deputy Chair Dr Bryn Roberts - Member

Both have been re-appointed for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2005 until 31 March 2006 in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. This short term extension will help provide continuity and stability and will help to smooth the transition period following the First Minister's announcement regarding the merger of ASPB’s in Wales. These re-appointments retain the ACCAC board membership at 13 which includes the posts of Chair and Deputy Chair.

Commenting on these appointments Jane Davidson said: "Last November, when the First Minister announced the merger of ACCAC with the Assembly I indicated that I wanted all the existing Authority members to continue to serve, including those whose current terms expire before the merger date. I am very pleased, therefore, that Owen and Bryn, who both have long and distinguished records of public service, will continue to bring their experience to the work of ACCAC at this crucial time. The contribution they have made to the work of the Authority has been significant, and I look forward to their continued involvement in the shaping of policies which will help establish Wales as a Learning Country as we move towards the merger of ACCAC with the Welsh Assembly Government and beyond".

Pen Pictures Owen Rees – Deputy Chair A native of Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, Owen Rees has served as Deputy Chair of ACCAC since 1997. A graduate of the University of Manchester, Mr Rees was a career civil servant with the Board of Trade, The Cabinet Office and the Welsh Office before his retirement in 1994. During his career with the Welsh Office he held a number of senior posts including Head of the Education Department, Director of the Industry Department, Head of the Economic and Regional Policy Group and, finally, Head of the Agriculture Department.

Dr Bryn Roberts Dr Bryn Roberts is an educational consultant and has his own management and community development company. Over the past 30 years he has held a variety of teaching and management positions in the UK and overseas. A former TEC Chief Executive, and a current member of the School Teachers Review Body, Dr Roberts has sat on the boards of a number of ASPBs for over ten years. He currently holds no other ministerial public appointments.

NOTES

The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales/Awdurdod Cymwysterau, Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru (ACCAC) advises the National Assembly for Wales on all matters to do with the National Curriculum, assessment and qualifications. All appointments to ACCAC are paid. The current remuneration of the Deputy Chair is £6,600per annum, and for members £3,000 per annum

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. Neither candidate declared any political activity.

The full membership of ACCAC is as follows: Chair - Mr Wil Edmunds Deputy Chair - Mr Owen Rees Members Mrs Sandra Davies Dr Pauline Peregrine Mrs Katija Dew Dr Bryn Roberts Mrs Jennifer Evans Mr Nigel Roberts Mr Robert Fowler Mrs Sandra Skinner Mrs Janet Kingston Mrs Linda Wyn Mrs Louise Lynn On 30 November 2004, the First Minister announced that the functions of ACCAC should be merged with the Assembly "as soon as is practical, and before April 2007". Following discussions between Ministers and the Chair of ACCAC, it is intended that the merger takes effect from 1 April 2006. Until that time, the Education Act 1997 requires there to be a minimum of 10 members, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, on the Authority.

(14 July 2005)