Students are expected to learn more about climate change and AI However, a focus on 'challenging' topics might be reduced under Labour’s proposals to ‘simplify’ the curriculum.
Professor Becky Francis, who is heading the government's curriculum review panel, stated that students should be better prepared for 'the challenges ahead.'
At the ASCL union conference held yesterday, she stated that with the 'growth of artificial intelligence,' students require enhanced 'media literacy and critical thinking skills.'
Furthermore, 'social, environmental, and technological changes' imply that the curriculum needs to emphasize 'sustainability and climate science,' she stated.
She stated: "We will chart the current coverage and make sure that any gaps are filled and the information is updated."
Professor Francis spoke to headteachers in Liverpool to provide an overview of the 'matters we are examining' and the 'path of the review'.
She additionally proposed that the review might target the EBacc, which is a key policy. Tory metric used to incentivize students to pursue five 'challenging' GCSE subjects.
The EBacc includes English, mathematics, science, a humanities subject, and a language.
The Conservatives aimed for 90 percent of students to achieve this by 2025, with EBacc performance being evaluated in league tables.
Professor Francis stated that the EBacc's function is currently under review as it restricts options and reduces the time available for vocational and arts subjects.
She mentioned that there has been a 'compression' on the allocated time for subjects like art, design and technology, ICT, and computing in the curriculum.
Professor Francis stated that formative assessments like primary school multiplication tests, Year 6 SATs, GCSEs, and A-levels were functioning effectively, indicating that these evaluations would probably remain unchanged.
After gaining power in the elections, Labour requested an independent assessment. An intermediate report is expected at the start of next week, followed by a comprehensive one in the fall.
Yesterday evening, Neil O'Brien, the Shadow Education Minister, stated: "This is yet another example of Labour's approach to lowering educational standards."
They aim to shift schools' emphasis away from rigorous academic disciplines toward more flexible topics.
They aim to allocate additional time for art subjects by reducing the intensive material in fundamental academic disciplines.
'It appears Phillipson pays attention solely to trade unions and is undermining three decades of bipartisan educational reforms.'
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