Curriculum and assessment: call for evidence launched
Education staff and leaders are being invited to contribute to a call for evidence as part of the ongoing review of the national curriculum and assessment system in England.
The review is being conducted by an expert panel led by Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation. Spanning from key stages 1 to 4 and 16 to 19 education, the review will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve – in particular those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, or with special educational needs or disability (SEND). It will also look at whether the current assessment system can be improved for both young people and staff, while protecting the ‘important role’ of examinations.
Through the call for evidence the review panel are looking to receive feedback on what works in the current system, as well as what doesn’t work or isn’t helpful. They are also looking for suggestions for potential improvements. Specific areas of interest include how best to provide an excellent foundation in English and maths, support for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to a broad and balanced curriculum. However Professor Becky Francis said they have ‘sought to keep questions broad and wide-ranging, to enable people to have their say’. Following the review, all state schools – including academies which currently do not have to follow the national curriculum – will be required by law to teach the national curriculum up to age 16.
Professor Francis added: ‘There is much that is working in the present curriculum, but this is a chance to refresh, to address areas which aren’t working well, and to ensure excellence for all. I hope as many as possible will respond and I look forward to reading the responses.’
Children, young people, parents, employers and other stakeholders are also invited to contribute to the call for evidence, which runs from 25 September to 22 November 2024 and be found here: https://tinyurl.com/mwku77yp