Major Changes to England's National Curriculum
Children in England will learn how to manage their finances, including understanding mortgages, as part of substantial changes to the national curriculum set to take effect in 2028. The curriculum update will also introduce lessons on artificial intelligence, disinformation, fake news, and online safety.
Government Goals and Curriculum Reforms
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the government's aim to "revitalise" the curriculum, following proposals for new V levels. The government plans to reduce the time students spend on GCSE exams by an average of three hours each, citing the current exam burden as excessive. Additionally, they intend to guarantee that all students have the opportunity to take three science GCSEs.
Changes to Exams and Qualifications
- The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) will be abolished.
- Exam volume and number at age 16 are slated for significant reduction.
“We are an international outlier in the number of exams and the volume of exams we have aged 16, only Singapore is anywhere near us,” said Professor Becky Francis, leader of the curriculum review. “So we do want to try and bring that down.”
Context and Public Discussion
These changes come amid broader discussions on education quality and workload. The government aims to enhance the curriculum's relevance while reducing excessive exam pressure on students.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated the commitment to “revitalise” the curriculum, reinforcing the government's intention to reform education for future readiness.
Author's summary: The 2028 national curriculum overhaul in England will focus on financial literacy, reduce exam pressures, remove the EBacc, and introduce lessons on AI and online safety to better prepare students.