The government has launched its much-anticipated curriculum and assessment review.
It will be led by Professor Becky Francis, who is currently chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation.
Commenting on the launch of the review, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that “for too long” school and college staff “have been held back by a curriculum and assessment system that fails to prepare enough of our children for work and for life”.
She added: “That is why this government, alongside leading education experts, leaders and staff on the frontline, will breathe new life into our outdated curriculum and assessment system.”
Here is everything we know so far about how the review will work:
1. It will focus on disadvantage and SEND
In its general election manifesto, Labour said the review would ensure a “rich and broad, inclusive and innovative” approach to the school curriculum.
As it launched the review, the department said Professor Francis would look at “the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve - in particular those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, or with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)”.
2. It will span all key stages
When it first published its education plans, Labour said its curriculum review would consider all ages of schooling.
The government has now confirmed it will span from key stage 1 through to key stage 5.
The department also said its ambition is for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths.
3. It will focus on both knowledge and skills
As shadow education secretary in 2022, Bridget Phillipson said a Labour government would reform the curriculum to value skills as well as knowledge.
The government now says its ambition is for a curriculum that “ensures every young person gets the opportunity to develop creative, digital, and speaking and listening skills particularly prized by employers”.
It added that the review will “build on the hard work of teachers who have brought their subjects alive with knowledge-rich teaching, to deliver a new national curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative”.
And the department said the review will also seek to make sure “children benefit from a curriculum that represents them and their families, regardless of background, and equips young people to shape our response to the challenges of our changing world”.
4. The role of examinations will be ‘protected’
As the title suggests, the review is not only considering what changes are needed to the school curriculum but will also look at whether the current assessment system can be improved for both young people and staff.
The DfE said this would be done “while protecting the important role of examinations”.
“Curriculum and assessment are inextricably linked to accountability,” the review’s terms of reference state.
The review may therefore comment on the impact of accountability on the curriculum and assessment system and recommend changes in how the two should interact.
The review group can propose “amendments or alternatives” to both existing curriculum frameworks and performance measures.
5. Recommendations will be published next year
Professor Francis will work alongside “an expert group made up of individuals with experience right throughout the education system” the department has said. The review will publish recommendations in 2025.
Following the review, all state schools will be required by law to teach the National Curriculum up to the age of 16. This requirement will include all academies, which currently do not have to follow it.
6. The review will consider workload implications
The department said it recognises the pressure schools are already under, and “the further strain that wholesale reform can bring”.
It said the review will seek “evolution not revolution” and “be alive to the trade-offs required to deliver high and rising standards alongside greater breadth - in particular any recommendations that would increase workload”.
7. Teachers and school leaders can get involved
The DfE said views of experts, parents, teachers and leaders will be pivotal to the recommendations and a call for evidence will be launched in September.
The review will also take written evidence from key stakeholders and stage a national roadshow, meeting and taking input from staff on the frontline.
Who is Becky Francis?
Professor Francis has been CEO of the EEF since 2020, when she took over from Sir Kevan Collins. She was previously director of the UCL Institute of Education.
The EEF focuses on breaking the link between attainment and family income.
She was also previously a professor of education and social justice at King’s College London and a standing adviser to the Commons Education Select Committee.
Speaking to Tes as part of the How I Lead series last year, the EEF chief said she carries with her a commitment to social justice, transparency, equality, diversity and inclusion wherever she goes.
Commenting on her appointment, she said: “It’s a real privilege to lead this important review, which has huge potential to build a cutting-edge curriculum that works for pupils and teachers alike.
“I know how stretched schools, colleges and their staff are. So it’s particularly important to me to consider how any changes could contribute to staff workload and to avoid unintended consequences.
“Crucially, I want to make sure that the review and its recommendations are driven by evidence and a commitment to high standards for all our young people, irrespective of background.”
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