Bringing the curriculum into the modern day

The government has unveiled sweeping reforms to the national curriculum, following Professor Becky Francis’s review. From teaching primary children to spot fake news to making triple science GCSE the norm, we explore the proposed changes

The government has set out plans to reform the curriculum, following recommendations from Professor Becky Francis’s Curriculum and Assessment Review.

For the first time, citizenship studies will be compulsory in primary schools, ensuring all pupils learn media and financial literacy, law and rights, democracy, and climate education early on. This will enable primary aged children to gain vital skills like how to spot fake news and identify misinformation and disinformation, helping them develop the critical thinking needed to challenge what they see and protect them from online harms. Primary pupils will also learn more about the fundamentals of money, recognising that children are now consumers often before they reach secondary school.

The government will introduce a new statutory reading test in year 8 and strengthen writing assessment in year 6 to spot pupils who need extra support at a crucial point in their development. 

Under the new arrangements, arts GCSEs will be given equal status to humanities and languages, recognising their value in boosting confidence and broadening skills for a competitive job market. 

To complement this, a new core enrichment entitlement will offer all pupils access to civic engagement, arts and culture, nature and adventure, sport, and life skills to build resilience and opportunity.

Science and oracy

Schools will also be expected to work towards offering triple science GCSE as standard, which 
comes alongside the government exploring a new qualification for 16-18 year olds in data science and AI.

The government will also publish a new oracy framework to ensure more young people become confident and effective speakers, building on the success of the reading and writing frameworks, and help teachers strengthen their teaching of oracy.  

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “From the fundamentals of reading to the present danger of spotting fake news, as part of our Plan for Change, these landmark reforms will help young people step boldly into the future, with the knowledge to achieve and the skills to thrive as the world around us continues to rapidly evolve.”

Time to implement

For the first time, the new national curriculum will be digital and machine-readable, to support teachers to more easily sequence their school curricula. 

The new curriculum will be implemented in full, for first teaching from September 2028. Government will aim to publish the final revised national curriculum by spring 2027 – giving schools four terms to prepare for the changes.

Sir Hamid Patel CBE, chief executive of Star Academies, said: “The government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review shows principled determination to build on the very best practice that has been developed by schools. It spurs ambition and innovation while recognising the increasingly complex challenges faced by the sector.

“The demands that reform places on teachers have been acknowledged, with a sensible implementation timeline and signposting of reputable sources of support.”

Performance measures

The government confirmed changes to school performance measures – the removal of the EBacc and reforms to Progress 8. It will develop and consult on an improved version of Progress 8 and Attainment 8, as it “believes the current structure has hampered progress in subjects which strengthen our economy and society including the arts. Changes will therefore recognise the value of these subjects and the importance of a broad pre-16 curriculum.

The proposal for the improved Progress 8 and Attainment 8 model will retain the current rules on English and maths but will have two dedicated slots for science subjects and four “breadth slots”. 

The move was not included in Professor Becky Francis’s review, which recommended that the subject make-up of Progress 8 be left as it is.

Core enrichment entitlement

The government has set out a new core enrichment entitlement, so that every child – wherever they go to school – has access to sport, the arts and more. 

This follows evidence which shows that increased participation in extra-curricular activities is associated with higher academic outcomes.

The government will publish a new set of enrichment benchmarks, with schools asked to ensure every child has access to activities across five categories of enrichment. 

Ofsted will consider as part of routine inspection how this expectation is being met,with information also made available to parents through a new information service called school profiles.  

Ruth Marvel OBE, chief executive, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “We are delighted that the government has pledged to create a new enrichment entitlement. This is a watershed moment that will ensure every pupil, no matter their background, can experience an enriched education and have equitable access to the activities and experiences that engage, inspire and develop, as a complement to the academic curriculum.”