Commenting on the Curriculum and Assessment Review, Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“NASUWT teachers have been clear that the current National Curriculum is not fit for purpose. It lacks breadth and balance, marginalises creative and artistic learning, and remains overly large and inflexible. It does not reflect the diversity of the pupil population or the wider society it is supposed to serve.

“Our members consistently report that pupils’ experiences with the current curriculum contribute to disaffection, disengagement, and ongoing attendance challenges. On first view, it is not clear to what extent the proposals for a revised curriculum will support schools to tackle these challenges. 

“NASUWT teachers want reform that ensures both excellence and enjoyment for all learners.

“The report rightly emphasises the importance of a curriculum that supports teacher professional autonomy and ensures that teachers are fully engaged in designing and implementing the new framework. Past reforms have failed in this respect, and the government must ensure that this time, reform is carried out with teachers, not to them.

“Securing both high levels of pupil achievement and pupil engagement should be the goal, and is mutually achievable, but only if the expertise of teachers and school leaders is put at the heart of reform.”