Curriculum review to begin in September
The incoming government committed to a review of the curriculum and have announced it will begin in September. The review will be chaired by Professor Becky Francis, who will be seconded to the DfE from her role as CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, and will be supported by an expert panel. The panel will call for written evidence from key stakeholders and also input from staff on the frontline through a national roadshow. The review will look at Key Stage 5 first before moving down through the key stages. They want the review to ‘ensure the curriculum appropriately balances ambition, excellence, relevance, flexibility and inclusivity’ and ‘meaningful, rigorous and high-value pathways for all at 16-19’.
The five aims of the review are to ensure:
- An excellent foundation in core subjects of reading, writing and maths
- A broader curriculum, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as music, art, sport and drama, as well as vocational subjects
- A curriculum that ensures children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and ready for work. This includes embedding digital, oracy and life skills in the curriculum
- A curriculum that reflects the issues and diversity of our society, ensuring all children and young people are represented
- An assessment system that captures the strengths of every child and young person and the breadth of curriculum, with the right balance of assessment methods whilst maintaining the important role of examinations
