Our response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report

We were pleased to see that the interim report acknowledges many of the key points F4S raised in our call for evidence.

The Current System Is Not Working for Everyone

• A persistent attainment gap remains between socio-economically disadvantaged young people and their peers.
• Young people with SEND continue to make insufficient progress compared to their non-SEND peers.

The review will consider how we can positively impact outcomes for these groups using the levers at our disposal while remaining mindful of the broader challenges facing the sector.

We Need a Greater Focus on Applied Knowledge and Practical Skills

Reports consistently highlight that young people and their parents want a greater focus on applied knowledge and practical skills that will prepare them for life and work. Key areas of interest include financial education, careers knowledge, AI, and politics and governance.

Polling data shows that:

• 34% of Key Stage 4 learners and 43% of their parents would have liked more emphasis on finance and budgeting.
• 32% of Key Stage 4 learners and 36% of their parents wanted more time dedicated to employment and interview skills.

The curriculum review will assess whether these areas are sufficiently covered within subjects and explore how content can remain relevant to help young people thrive in a rapidly changing world. This may involve further embedding these critical skills across different parts of the curriculum.

Current evidence suggests that too many young people are not acquiring the essential knowledge and skills they need. As a result, by the time they leave formal education, they may not be fully prepared for the demands of life and work.

What This Means For F4S?

• We will continue to champion programmes that support students from low-income backgrounds and young people with SEND.
• We will ensure that every student encounter includes real-world skills and applied knowledge that prepares them for the future.
• We will explore the development of new programmes, with a particular focus on financial education and artificial intelligence.

🔗 Read our full response here