University of Cambridge
Cambridge ESOL is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge which is governed by the University’s Syndicate under the chair of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard.
One year on
Cambridge Assessment was rebranded from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) in 2005. UCLES was established in 1858 by the University of Cambridge with the vision of promoting the public good by regulating and raising assessment standards. Cambridge Assessment is the modern expression of this ambition.
Today, Cambridge Assessment is one of the world’s largest assessment agencies. It incorporates three examining bodies: Cambridge ESOL, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), and Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR).
Its work influences the development and delivery of assessment across the globe, encouraging and recognising individuals’ achievements. Cambridge Assessment is active in 150 countries, serving 8 million candidates a year.
The change of name has already assisted the organisation in its drive to be at the forefront of assessment policy development. For instance, the Department for Education and Skills (UK) is to fund Cambridge Assessment’s further research into aspects of the writing abilities of today’s teenagers. The research will be a two year programme and follows Cambridge Assessment’s initial studies carried out between 1980 and 2004 which investigated ‘Aspects of Writing in 16+ English Examinations’.
Cambridge Assessment, in widening the debate on student selection for university admissions, hosted a conference to address controversial plans to test creative and practical skills to assess students’ academic potential. Research has shown that, when used for university admissions, the tests have increased the uptake among under-represented ethnic groups entering universities.
The Cambridge Assessment Network hosted a seminar entitled Assessment for Learning at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, enabling secondary teachers of English, mathematics and science to reflect on the thinking behind classroom-based assessment.
About Cambridge ESOL
There are about 250 staff based in Cambridge specifically working on ESOL examinations and a team of country managers and staff based in offices around the world.
Cambridge ESOL directors:
Michael Milanovic, Chief Executive
Roger Johnson, Director of Assessment and Operations
Susan Randall, Director of Business Planning & Marketing
Sarah Corcoran, Director of Customer Services
Nick Saville, Director of Research and Validation
Christine Nuttall, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Legal Affairs
Barrie Hunt, Director of Asset Languages
Organisational structure
University of Cambridge, Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richard
Cambridge Assessment, Group Chief Executive Simon Lebus
Cambridge ESOL, Chief Executive Michael Milanovic
CIE, Chief Executive Ann Puntis
OCR, Chief Executive Greg Watson