#343: Curriculum review incoming

The new Labour government is turning its attention to the curriculum.

There are already new specifications which are going ahead. This includes the uncertain fate of the GCSE in Natural History - we are waiting for news of that.

Bridget Phillipson, the new Secretary of State for Education has announced a review of Curriculum and Assessment led by experts.

✏️ Today I've announced an expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review

🤔 What does that actually mean?

📺 Watch below 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/lRgzSw2BvK

— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) July 19, 2024

 

Our Curriculum & Assessment Review will give every child:

🧮 Strong foundations in core subjects
🎨 Access to music, sport, art & drama
🗣️ More digital, speaking & life skills

We'll deliver a broad, rich curriculum so children leave education ready for life, work & the future. https://t.co/54QrEWkwJZ

— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) July 19, 2024

The person leading that review is certainly an expert, having worked with the Education Endowment Foundation - we used their toolkit when developing our work on the D3 ERASMUS project.

Professor Becky Francis was also the previous Director of the UCL Institute of Education - another organisation I have been involved with in the past - firstly as somone who helped develop the GeoCapabilities project and as a UCL Fawcett Fellow for 2022-23.

Thanks you for all the generous and kind comments about my appointment by @bphillipsonMP to lead the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. I am really overwhelmed by your support.

— Prof Becky Francis (@BeckyFrancis7) July 19, 2024

They will also take a look at OFSTED too.

The Labour government knows we need accountability to drive high & rising standards in education.

But today’s Ofsted system is high stakes for staff, low information for families — it needs proper reform.

Pleased to speak to HMCI about delivering the change our children need. pic.twitter.com/hsRmzjYq3V

— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) July 20, 2024

I look forward to seeing what emerges, and hopefully having a say in anything which touches on the geography curriculum and the place of geography generally.

One good outcome will hopefully be a focus on SEND and those pupils who need more support and removing overly strict behaviour policies.

The TES article here outlines what we know so far.