Young people, parents, employers and education staff, leaders and
experts are being invited to take part in a ‘national
conversation' about how the curriculum and assessment system can
better prepare young people for life and work, as a call for evidence is
launched today (25 September).
The eight-week consultation aims to bring everyone into the
conversation about what's working well and what could work better
in the curriculum and marks the next step in the government's
independent review.
Responses will be invaluable in shaping the direction of the
review and pivotal to the recommendations Professor Becky Francis
and her expert panel put forward in 2025.
Today's call for evidence covers a range of specific areas,
including how best to provide an excellent foundation in English
and maths, support for children from socioeconomically
disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to a broad and balanced
curriculum.
The review will also take written and oral evidence from key
stakeholders, alongside a series of regional engagement events
from mid-October to meet and take input from young people and
staff on the frontline.
Spanning from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5, 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).
Professor Becky Francis said:
“The curriculum belongs to the nation. And especially, it must
work for the young people who follow it, and the teachers and
lecturers that communicate it.
“As such, it's imperative that we hear perspectives and evidence
from as wide a range of people as possible including children,
young people, parents, education professionals and other
stakeholders.
“The launch of our Call for Evidence today enables that. And we
have sought to keep questions broad and wide-ranging, to enable
people to have their say.
“There is much that is working in the present curriculum, but
this is a chance to refresh, to address areas which aren't
working well, and to ensure excellence for all. I hope as many as
possible will respond and I look forward to reading the
responses.”
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.
Following the review, all state schools – including academies
which 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.
The call for evidence runs from 25 September to 22 November 2024
and can be accessed here.
