The government has launched its much-anticipated curriculum and assessment review. It will be led by Professor Becky Francis, who is currently chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation.

Here is everything we know so far about how the review will work:

1. It will focus on the disadvantaged and SEND
   In its general election manifesto, Labour said the review would ensure a “rich and broad, inclusive and innovative” approach to the school curriculum. As it launched the review, the department said Professor Francis would look at “the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve – in particular those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, or with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)”
   
2. It will span all key stages
   When it first published its education plans, Labour said its curriculum review would consider all ages of schooling. The government has now confirmed it will span from key stage 1 through to key stage 5. The department also said its ambition is for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths.
   
3. It will focus on both knowledge and skills
   As shadow education secretary in 2022, Bridget Phillipson said a Labour government would reform the curriculum to value skills as well as knowledge.

“every young person should get the opportunity to develop creative, digital, speaking and listening skills. These are particularly valued by employers”.

It added that the review will “build on the hard work of teachers who have brought their subjects alive with knowledge-rich teaching, to deliver a new national curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative”.

4. The role of examinations will be ‘protected’ The review is not only considering what changes are needed to the school curriculum but will also look at whether the current assessment system can be improved.

The review may therefore comment on the impact of accountability on the curriculum and assessment system and recommend changes in how the two should interact. The review group can propose “amendments or alternatives” to both existing curriculum frameworks and performance measures.

5. Recommendations will be published next year. Professor Francis will work alongside “an expert group made up of individuals with experience right throughout the education system” the department has said. The review will publish recommendations in 2025.

Following the review, all state schools will be required by law to teach the National Curriculum up to the age of 16. This requirement will include all academies, which currently do not have to follow it.

6. The review will consider workload implications. The department said it recognises the pressure schools are already under, and “the further strain that wholesale reform can bring”.

7. Teachers and school leaders can get involved
   The DfE said views of experts, parents, teachers and leaders will be pivotal to the recommendations and a call for evidence will be launched in September.

The review will also take written evidence from key stakeholders and stage a national roadshow, meeting and taking input from staff on the frontline.

Watch this space!