Government launches independent, expert review of curriculum and qualifications

A broader, richer, cutting-edge curriculum that drives high and rising schools standards and sets all young people up for life and work will be central to the government's vision for education, as it launches its wide-ranging Curriculum and Assessment Review today (19 July 2024). 

Spanning from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5, the independent review will be chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality.  

The review will look closely 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).  High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

Following the review, all state schools – including academies who currently do not have to follow the national curriculum – will be required by law to teach the national curriculum up to age 16, giving parents certainty over their children's education. This was confirmed in the King's Speech earlier this week, as the government will introduce a children's wellbeing bill in the next year to legislate for a variety of its education policies.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

“The launch of this review is an important step in this government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity, deliver better life chances and enable more young people to get on.

“Our dedicated school and college staff deliver better life chances for countless children but for too long they have been held back by a curriculum and assessment system that fails to prepare enough of our children for work and for life.

“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government, alongside leading education experts, leaders and staff on the frontline, will breathe new life into our outdated curriculum and assessment system.

“Our renewed curriculum, built on a foundation of high and rising standards, greater access to cultural learning and crucial work and life skills, will set up all our children to achieve and thrive in the workplaces of the future, and throughout their lives.”

The government's ambition is for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths, and ensures every young person gets the opportunity to develop creative, digital, and speaking and listening skills particularly prized by employers.    

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. 

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. 

The review will look at ensuring all young people aged 16-19 have access to rigorous and high-value qualifications and training that will give them the skills they need to seize opportunity as well as ensuring they are ready for the changing workplace.    

 It will also look at whether the current assessment system can be improved for both young people and staff, while protecting the important role of examinations.  

Professor Becky Francis said: 

“Ensuring all young people access a rich and fulfilling curriculum and meaningful qualifications is core to supporting them to thrive at school and later in life.  

“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.” 

The 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 undertake a national roadshow, meeting and taking input from staff on the frontline.  

The launch of the review marks one of the government's first steps towards an education system driven by high and rising standards, where background is no barrier, and every young person leaves school or college with the best life chances.  

In recognition of the pressure schools and colleges are already under, and the further strain that wholesale reform can bring, the review will seek evolution not revolution, and will be alive to the trade-offs required to deliver high and rising standards alongside greater breadth – in particular any recommendations that would increase workload.

Professor Francis will be supported by an expert group made up of individuals with experience right throughout the education system.  The review will publish recommendations in 2025.  

Notes to editors 

• Professor Becky Francis CBE (FBA, FAcSS, PhD) is Chief Executive Officer of the Education Endowment Foundation, an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement through better use of evidence. Becky was previously Director of the UCL Institute of Education (IOE). Her prior roles include Professor of Education and Social Justice at King's College London, Director of Education at the RSA and Standing Advisor to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee.
• Professor Francis will formally start as the Lead Reviewer on August 6^th.