The Department for Education has named the members of its expert panel who will assist with its curriculum and assessment review, which the education secretary has said will “breathe new life into our outdated curriculum and assessment system”.
The panel, previously described by the DfE as “an expert group made up of individuals with experience right throughout the education system”, will work with Professor Becky Francis who is leading the review.
The panel features three people from academia, and six from school and trust leadership. It has 12 members in total including Professor Francis.
The full membership list of the panel is as follows:
- Dr Vanessa Ogden - CEO of the Mulberry Schools Trust
- Sir Ian Bauckham (observer) - chief regulator of Ofqual
- Cassie Buchanan - CEO of the Charter Schools Educational Trust
- Funmilola Stewart - trust leader for anti-racism and ED&I at Dixons Academies Trust
- Gary Aubin - SEND consultant at Whole Education and EEF SEND associate
- Professor Jo-Anne Baird - director of the Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment
- John Laramy - principal and chief executive at Exeter College
- Jon Hutchinson - director of curriculum and teacher development at the Reach Foundation
- Lisa O’Loughlin - principal and CEO of the Nelson and Colne College Group
- Nic Beech - vice-chancellor of the University of Salford
- Professor Zongyi Deng - professor of curriculum and pedagogy at University College London
Sir Ian will be an observer of the curriculum and assessment review and is invited to contribute to discussions. However, he will not have a decision-making role.
Professor Francis said the panel will provide “detailed understanding of the curriculum in practice” across primary, secondary and post-16 sectors to ensure “due authority and respect to the expertise of education professionals in shaping the curriculum and outcomes they deliver”.
She added that the review will consult with “crucial” stakeholder groups, young people, parents and employers and “work closely with education staff on the ground to produce a set of sensible, workable recommendations” alongside a call for evidence.
“The review will be discerning about the issues it tackles,” said Professor Francis.
“And while it won’t be able to address every issue linked to curriculum and assessment, I am confident that, by focusing on some key challenges, drawing on data and evidence, and listening to the views of the sector, we can develop an offer that works for young people and education professionals alike,” she added.
The review is set to publish its recommendations in 2025.
Labour promised to review the school curriculum in its general election manifesto, a move the party said would ensure a “rich and broad, inclusive and innovative” approach to the school curriculum.
Professor Francis has previously said the review will 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)”.
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