The Push for Educational Change
The landscape of education is shifting significantly. A major undertaking, known formally as the curriculum and assessment review, has recently concluded, setting the stage for major structural changes in schools across the country.
This independent inquiry, led by Professor Becky Francis, was crucial because the current National Curriculum had not been substantially updated in over a decade. Therefore, the primary goal of this comprehensive curriculum review was simple: to modernize the content and the assessment system so that every student is better prepared for life and work in the 21st century.
It was determined that while many parts of the existing system were working adequately, there were distinct opportunities for substantial improvement.
Strengthening Core Foundations
A core priority of the new framework is the establishment of stronger foundations in literacy and numeracy. For instance, there is an increased focus on core skills like speaking and listening (oracy), reading, writing, and mathematics, starting from the early years right through secondary school.
A new primary oracy framework is being developed, and this is coupled with a combined secondary oracy, reading, and writing framework. This means that these crucial skills will be deliberately embedded across all curriculum subjects.
Teachers will be supported by clearer structures so subjects are taught in a logical order, allowing children to continually build on previous learning. Additionally, there are plans to review grammar teaching and testing in primary schools to place a greater emphasis on applied writing rather than just theoretical grammar.
New Essential Life Skills Are Integrated
The proposed changes reflect a world of rapid technological and social change. Vital new subjects are being integrated into the core learning experience. Specifically, the new curriculum will boost crucial skills such as financial education and comprehensive media and digital literacy.
Primary-aged children, for the first time, will be gaining vital skills like learning how to identify misinformation and “fake news.” Citizenship lessons will become compulsory in primary schools (Years 1 to 6), teaching the fundamentals of democracy and law.
Furthermore, the importance of climate and sustainability education is being increased and modernized across the national curriculum review framework.
Accountability Measures Are Changing
Significant reforms are being introduced to the accountability system, which historically has dictated what schools prioritize. The highly discussed English Baccalaureate (EBacc) measure, which steered students toward specific academic subjects, will be removed.
Instead, reforms to the controversial Progress 8 accountability measure are planned to encourage students to choose a wider range of GCSE subjects, specifically including the arts and languages alongside the core sciences and mathematics. It should be noted that the calculation of Progress 8 is currently paused for the 2024-25 and curriculum review 2025 cohorts because of missing Key Stage 2 prior attainment data caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, there is a recommendation that the total content and length of GCSE exams be reduced by about three hours per pupil to reduce pressure and allow more space in the timetable.
Enrichment Is Prioritized
The curriculum assessment really stresses a more holistic student experience. Arts GCSEs will be given equal rank to humanities and languages to represent this, therefore acknowledging their significance in building confidence and expanding knowledge. Critically, a new core enrichment entitlement is being implemented.
This requirement specifies that all students must have ensured access to five main topics: civic participation, arts and culture, nature and adventure, sports, and general life skills, including money management and cooking.
This is a huge change that guarantees every student, no matter their background, may benefit from the character-building activities sometimes being pushed out of school calendars. Ofsted will also take this enriching element into account during normal school inspections.
Conclusion
The release of the results of the evaluation of the educational curriculum represents a crucial turning point for the schools of the country. Acceptance of several important suggestions by the government generally shows a dedication to a curriculum that is broad in abilities and demanding in core knowledge.
Educators have a clear road ahead thanks to the new curriculum scheduled for complete implementation by September 2028. This fresh emphasis is expected to provide young people with an education really ready for the difficult and changing world they inherit.
