Prof. Becky Francis questioned on Curriculum and Assessment Review
The Education Committee will question Professor Becky Francis on her work leading the Government’s ongoing Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR).
Meeting details
Details of the Review, led by Professor Francis, were published in July 2024. Its interim report was published in March.
MPs are likely to ask about the form that recommendations to the Government will take after the CAR has been completed. The interim report suggested reforms should happen “incrementally”, with an emphasis on “evolution not revolution”.
Professor Becky Francis could face questions on how the Review will reflect the wide range of views submitted, and how school leaders can be meaningfully engaged in the implementation of any proposed changes.
The cross-party Committee is also likely to ask Professor Francis how she will balance concerns about the volume of content in the national curriculum with the importance of giving students a rich knowledge base, and how schools could be empowered to manage their delivery of the curriculum with the time available in each school term.
She may be asked about the efficacy of English and maths education for young people who do not achieve a grade 4 at GCSE.
MPs will also be interested to hear Professor Francis’s views on improving pathways to non-academic routes after post-16, and education about careers.
The Committee will be interested to hear about the aim of making the national curriculum more inclusive for children with special educational needs and disabilities, from disadvantaged backgrounds, and from diverse backgrounds. The Committee is also likely to ask about improving media literacy and digital skills in the curriculum.
There may also be questions about how sciences and religious education are taught, and the importance of arts subjects.