The UK Government has announced a major overhaul of the national curriculum, with a focus on making the first years of secondary school more engaging and exciting for pupils. This change aims to boost participation and progression, particularly during Key Stage 3, which is set to become a distinct three-year phase.
The government's decision is in response to evidence from various reviews, including the Milburn Review and the Becky Francis Curriculum and Assessment Review, which highlight the need for reform. Currently, many children become disengaged from school in their early teens, leading to poor attendance, attainment, and life outcomes.
The new National Curriculum, to be published later this year, will feature a slimmed-down and better-sequenced content across all school stages, allowing for deeper understanding and richer experiences. The government's goal is to make the first three years of secondary school count, by providing a more specialist education and ensuring that pupils are not rushed through content before grasping the fundamentals.
The new curriculum has been developed by subject experts and aims to ignite a love of learning, stretch more children, and make progress. The implementation of these changes is intended to have a positive impact on the education and life outcomes of pupils.