A major review of England's national curriculum has proposed significant changes to the way students are taught and assessed. The review, led by Professor Becky Francis, heard evidence from over 7,000 members of the public and recommended a range of reforms. The proposals, which cover primary, secondary, and 16-19 education, aim to make the curriculum more relevant and rigorous.
One of the key recommendations is to shorten GCSE exams by 10%, which could save students around three hours of exam time. The review found that England is an international outlier in the length and number of exams taken by 16-year-olds, and argues that exams can be shortened without compromising rigour.
Another recommendation is to introduce a new diagnostic test in maths and English to help teachers identify gaps in students' knowledge. This test would be taken by students at the end of year 8, and would provide a more accurate picture of their abilities. The review also recommends expanding religious education and making it part of the national curriculum at all stages.