At this year’s Labour Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute has partnered with Cambridge University Press & Assessment to hold a public panel event: ‘The Classroom of Tomorrow – Readying 11-16 curriculum and assessment for 2025 – 2035 and beyond.’
Labour has committed to undertaking a curriculum and assessment review, acknowledging in their manifesto that “every child should have a broad curriculum with an excellent foundation in reading, writing and maths, and support to develop essential digital, speaking, and creative skills” but currently “too many are missing out.” It has been ten years since the last curriculum review, making this a key commitment. As a new report into 11-16 education and assessment has found, there is significant need for reform – not only to the curriculum but to the approach to assessment and education more generally, suggesting some of the urgent areas that the new government could focus on to meet its ambitions for education.
This review, led by former Education Secretary Charles Clarke for OCR, the UK exam board of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, aims to generate “bold and pragmatic” policy recommendations on four areas of 11-16 education. Those areas are: English and maths provision; reducing the assessment burden at GCSE; curriculum evolution, and digital assessment and learning. The review suggests there are a number of challenges, from an over-reliance on assessment at the end of the GCSE period, to an outdated and over-full curriculum alongside a number of opportunities, suggesting a combination of short- and long-term actions to inform the government’s ambitious plans for education.
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 education system including a teacher 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 and Matthew Shanks, Education South West, with further speakers to be confirmed. Natalie Perera, EPI’s Chief Executive, will chair this panel.
** 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 Labour Party.**
