At this year’s Conservative Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute has partnered with Cambridge University Press & Assessment to organise a public panel on ‘The Classroom of Tomorrow – Readying 11-16 curriculum and assessment for 2025 – 2035 and beyond’.
In their manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to introduce the Advanced British Standard to “end the damaging divide between academic and technical education” and ensure all young people learn a wider array of subjects, bringing England in line with other advanced economies around the world. This commitment generated much debate within the sector on the need for curriculum reform and indeed, by the end of the next parliament it will have been fifteen years since the last curriculum and assessment review so it feels timely to consider whether what children are learning and how it is assessed is relevant for today’s world, accessible for and inclusive of all children and ultimately, effectively measured.
To inform this work, several bodies have published analysis of the current system including the Independent Assessment Commission and the House of Lords 11-16 education committee. Most recently OCR Cambridge University Press & Assessment launched a review chaired by former Education Secretary, Charles Clarke aiming to generate “bold and pragmatic” policy recommendations on four areas of 11-16 curriculum and assessment, namely: improving English and maths provision; rebalancing assessment at GCSE; curriculum evolution and digital assessment and learning.
This panel will bring together politicians, school leaders and sector experts to consider the recommendations and their potential to improve the lives of both teachers and pupils should they be implemented. In light of the significant challenges currently facing the system including a recruitment and retention crisis, rising numbers of pupils with SEND and increasingly stretched budgets, panellists will also discuss where to start with implementing reform and at what pace might be most useful to reduce burdens on schools and ensure any changes can be effectively embedded.
We are delighted to be joined by Jill Duffy, OCR; Charles Clarke, Former Secretary of State for Education and Skills and Jennese Alozie, University of Chichester Academy Trust. Natalie Perera, EPI’s Chief Executive, will chair the session.
** Note: This event will take place in the conference secure zone. To access the secure zone you will need to obtain a pass directly from the Conservative Party.**
