Tuesday 17 June, 10:00,
Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Education Committee will explore the big questions that are
being asked in the Government's ongoing Curriculum and Assessment
Review.
MPs will hear from experts (details below) about how the
curriculum could be more inclusive to disadvantaged pupils and
those from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. There will
also be a focus on learning about media literacy, digital skills
and AI.
Launching the Review in
July last year, one of the Government's stated aims was to
broaden the 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”. It also wants a curriculum that
“reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring all
children and young people are represented”.
The Review's interim report,
published in March, was broadly positive about the “knowledge
rich” curriculum, including the architecture of key stages
alongside assessments and qualifications.
The second stage of the Review is where its leader, Professor
Becky Francis, sees more opportunity for improvement. As well
looking at inclusivity, closing attainment gaps and technological
change, the second stage of the Review is also looking at
improving the pathways for 16–19-year-olds who cannot access T
Levels or A Levels, or who did not secure strong level 2 (GCSE)
qualifications.
The cross-party Committee is also likely to ask witnesses how
school staff can be supported to navigate contentious topics in
an impartial way, how the content of Religious Education could be
updated, how media literacy and ‘digital citizenship' could both
be delivered in the curriculum, and helping young people from
disadvantaged backgrounds attain local job opportunities.
Witnesses from
10:00
- Sean Harris, Director of People, Learning and Community
Engagement at Tees Valley Education
- Dr Shabna Begum, CEO at The Runnymede Trust
- Sara Lane Cawte, Chair at Religious Education Council for
England and Wales
Witnesses from
11:00
- Professor David Lundie, Professor of Education (School of
Social & Environmental Sustainability) at University of
Glasgow
- Dr Gianfranco Polizzi, Assistant Professor in Digital Media
and Communications, Department of Linguistics and Communication
at University of Birmingham
- Andrew Ettinger, Director of Education at The National
Literacy Trust
- Professor Candice Satchwell, Professor of Literacies and
Education at The University of Central Lancashire
