Curriculum and Assessment Review: What the Interim Report Means for Education
- More Curricular
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
The UK government has just released its Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report, providing a snapshot of the findings from an extensive educational review led by Professor Becky Francis CBE. Published in March 2025, this report examines England's current curriculum and assessment system, identifies key challenges and outlines the direction for potential reforms ahead of the final report expected in autumn 2025.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review at a Glance
The report acknowledges many strengths in the current system while highlighting several areas for improvement. Rather than proposing a complete overhaul, the panel advocates for "evolution not revolution" - building on what works well while making targeted improvements where needed.
The review is particularly concerned with ensuring the education system works for all students. Despite improvements in standards over the past quarter-century, persistent attainment gaps remain between socio-economically disadvantaged students and their peers, as well as between students with SEND and those without.
Key Findings
The review identified four main areas requiring attention:
Making the system work for everyone - Addressing persistent attainment gaps and ensuring high standards for all students, not just some.
Subject-specific challenges - Examining concerns about content volume, mastery and depth of understanding across various subjects.
Adapting to social and technological change - Ensuring the curriculum prepares students for a rapidly changing world, including the rise of AI.
Improving 16-19 technical and vocational qualifications - Building on the strengths of T Levels while ensuring all students have clear and valuable pathways.
What This Means for Parents
No dramatic changes overnight - The review proposes gradual, phased improvements rather than a complete system overhaul.
Focus on high standards for all - The goal is to ensure every child, regardless of background or needs, has access to a high-quality education.
More attention to mastery - Future curriculum changes may emphasise depth of understanding rather than just covering content.
Clearer pathways post-16 - The review aims to make technical and vocational routes clearer and more valuable alongside academic options.
Addressing stress from exams - The report acknowledges concerns about student wellbeing during assessment periods and will consider improvements.
Relevant skills for a changing world - More focus on helping students develop skills for the digital age and AI-enabled future.
Continued emphasis on core subjects - Maintaining the focus on English, maths and other foundational subjects while improving delivery.
What This Means for Students
More personalised learning - Students with different needs, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds, should receive more tailored support.
Less exam pressure - While exams will remain important, there's recognition of the need to reduce excessive stress on students.
Deeper understanding - The shift towards mastery means students should gain more meaningful knowledge rather than just memorising facts for tests.
Better preparation for the future - More focus on digital skills and adapting to technological changes like AI.
Clearer career pathways - Improved guidance on options after GCSEs, including both academic and vocational routes.
More inclusive approach - Students with special educational needs should find the curriculum and assessments more accessible.
Balanced workload - Potential reductions in content volume to allow for more thorough understanding of key concepts.
Skills development - Greater emphasis on applying knowledge in practical ways, not just theoretical learning.
What This Means for Teachers
Evolution not revolution - Changes will be gradual and build on existing strengths rather than requiring a complete rethink.
Focus on workload considerations - The report explicitly acknowledges teacher workload and capacity issues, promising reforms that don't overburden staff.
Subject-by-subject approach - Future improvements will be tailored to specific subjects rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.
Potential rebalancing of content - The review is examining whether some subjects have too much content to allow for proper mastery.
Assessment adjustments - While maintaining exams as the primary form of assessment, the review is considering improvements to the volume and balance of assessment methods.
Support for inclusion - Greater emphasis on making the curriculum and assessment more inclusive for students with SEND.
Clearer guidance on breadth vs. depth - The report acknowledges the tension between covering a wide range of content and developing deep understanding.
Addressing teaching to the test - Recognising that excessive focus on exam preparation can limit deeper learning.
The final report, due in autumn 2025, will provide specific recommendations for improvements. For now, the message is clear: maintain what works, but make targeted changes to ensure the education system delivers excellence for all students in a rapidly changing world.
For additional resources on improving curriculum implementation and addressing attainment gaps, visit More Curricular 1.
Comments