Primary school children are set to learn how to identify false information, manage finances, and understand the climate crisis in a significant revamp of the school curriculum. Additionally, they will receive lessons on legal matters, voting in elections, and arts and culture as part of mandatory citizenship education.
In secondary schools, students will undergo fewer tests as part of efforts to cut down the average time spent on GCSE exams by up to three hours. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced these changes following the first review of the school curriculum in over a decade, emphasizing the importance of preparing young individuals to tackle contemporary challenges.
A comprehensive 200-page report highlighted the necessity of teaching evolving scientific and cultural skills to address the impact of artificial intelligence, online dangers, and global social and environmental issues. The report also revealed alarming statistics indicating that a significant portion of young people and teachers have encountered individuals expressing belief in conspiracy theories.
The government is committed to updating the curriculum to incorporate modern concerns like online safety and climate education, while also discontinuing the English baccalaureate system. Instead, students will have the flexibility to choose from a wider range of subjects including arts, humanities, and languages alongside core subjects.
Moreover, schools will be encouraged to offer triple science GCSEs covering physics, chemistry, and biology as standard practice. The government plans to replace the current computer science GCSE with a more forward-looking qualification and explore introducing a new data science and AI qualification for 16–18-year-olds.
In the realm of qualifications, the government recently introduced V-levels to replace numerous vocational qualifications, making them available alongside T Levels and A levels. Additionally, the Department for Education (DfE) will establish new enrichment benchmarks to ensure all students have access to activities such as civic engagement, arts, nature exploration, sports, and life skills.
While these changes have been positively received, concerns have been raised by some educators. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) cautioned that the new enrichment standards could burden schools without sufficient resources. Furthermore, challenges such as a shortage of physics teachers may impede the goal of offering triple science in all schools.
Ministers also announced plans for a new statutory reading test for year eight students and enhancements to writing assessments in year six. However, there is pushback from teachers against increased testing, with the National Education Union’s general secretary expressing reservations about additional mandatory tests.
The curriculum review suggests reducing the number of exams taken by 16-year-olds by at least 10%, with efforts to cut down GCSE exam duration for the average student by two and a half to three hours. The updated curriculum is slated for full implementation in September 2028.
