Curriculum Review Published

The National Curriculum Review has now been published. The independent review by Professor Becky Francis CBE looked at what children and young people aged 5 to 19 learn in schools and colleges in England.

The review found that much of what’s currently taught works well, but some areas could be better, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The main changes are:

• More focus on speaking and listening (oracy), reading, writing and maths from early years through to secondary school.
• The curriculum will be clearer and better organised, teaching subjects in a logical order so children build on what they’ve already learned.
• Supporting teachers to adapt their teaching for children with SEND and other needs, while also stretching the most able learners further.
• Revitalising arts subjects, reinforcing the importance of two hours of PE each week throughout school, clearer language expectations in primary school, and a possible new flexible language qualification that pupils can take when ready, alongside GCSEs.
• Helping all schools offer triple science (separate biology, chemistry and physics), giving students more choice in subjects, encouraging arts, and reducing time spent sitting exams.
• Introducing V Levels, a new post-16 qualification after GCSEs for students following a vocational route.
• Increased focus on financial education, media and digital literacy, and improving climate and sustainability education.
• A broader computing GCSE and possible new level 3 qualification (A level standard) in data science and AI.
• Ensuring all pupils can access arts, sports, nature, civic engagement and volunteering.
• Citizenship will now be compulsory in Years 1 to 6.

The final curriculum will be published in spring 2027 and schools will start teaching it from September 2028.