England’s Schools Set for Major Curriculum Overhaul to Equip Pupils for the Modern World
LONDON, 19 January 2026 – The Department for Education has unveiled sweeping reforms to the National Curriculum, the first major update in over a decade, designed to ensure young people leave school with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The changes, responding to an independent review led by Professor Becky Francis, will be implemented from September 2028.
A Curriculum for the Future
The government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, published in November 2025, outlines a shift towards a more modern and well-rounded education. The reforms aim to build strong foundations in core subjects while introducing crucial new elements like media literacy, financial education, and enhanced climate studies from primary school age. A significant move is the removal of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure, intended to encourage greater student choice in GCSE subjects, including the arts, humanities, and languages.
Key Reforms at a Glance
| Area of Reform | Key Change |
|---|---|
| Primary Education | Citizenship becomes compulsory, covering media literacy, financial literacy, and climate education. A new statutory reading test in Year 8 will identify pupils needing extra support. |
| Subject Breadth | Arts GCSEs given equal status to humanities. Schools encouraged to offer triple science as standard. The computer science GCSE will be replaced by a broader computing GCSE. |
| Skills & Enrichment | A new ‘core enrichment entitlement’ guarantees all pupils access to arts, culture, sport, nature, and civic activities. New oracy frameworks will boost speaking skills. |
| Post-16 Pathways | Exploration of a new qualification in data science and AI for 16–18 year-olds, alongside the introduction of ‘V Levels’ for vocational routes. |
Building Foundations and Broadening Horizons
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated the reforms were central to the government’s “Plan for Change,” arguing that “the path to our country’s renewal runs through our schools.” The review found that while much of the current curriculum works well, it required modernisation to address the needs of all learners, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs.
The final revised national curriculum will be published in spring 2027, giving schools four terms to prepare for the September 2028 implementation. The government has committed to developing the new curriculum in collaboration with teachers, experts, and parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new curriculum start?
The new National Curriculum will be taught in schools from September 2028.
What is happening to GCSEs?
GCSEs will see several changes: arts subjects are promoted, the EBacc measure is scrapped to encourage broader choice, and there is a push for all schools to offer triple science. A new, broader computing GCSE will replace the current computer science GCSE.
What is the ‘core enrichment entitlement’?
This is a new guarantee that every pupil will have access to enriching activities across five areas: civic engagement; arts and culture; nature and adventure; sport; and wider life skills. Ofsted will consider how schools provide this during inspections.
Why is citizenship being introduced in primary schools?
The government believes children need to learn vital skills like spotting fake news, understanding their rights, and managing money from an earlier age to navigate the modern world safely and confidently.