Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025
Major Changes Announced
The government has announced substantial reforms in the Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025, including fewer GCSE exams, new Year 8 diagnostic tests, and updated content to enhance digital and AI literacy. The report indicates a system-wide move towards assessment that is “lighter but smarter”, with a focus on early identification of learning needs.
AI to Be Added to the National Curriculum
A new curriculum model for England incorporates a much stronger focus on AI, data literacy, and digital skills across various subjects. The reforms aim to equip young people for an AI-driven labour market and feature changes to GCSE exam structures. Ongoing debate concerns teacher readiness and curriculum workload.
GCSE Workload Slashed: Government to Reduce Exam Volume
The government has accepted the main recommendations of the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review to reduce GCSE exam volume by at least 10%, cutting around 2.5–3 hours from the average Key Stage 4 student’s exam workload. The reforms focus on maintaining academic rigour by keeping at least two assessment components per subject, while allowing for more in-depth learning, a broader curriculum (including arts, enrichment, and life skills), less stress, and less “teaching to the test."
New Literacy Tests: Year 8 Reading + Stronger Year 6 Writing
In a historic move, England will introduce a statutory reading test for Year 8 pupils, assessing fluency and comprehension at the start of secondary school, alongside a strengthened writing assessment at the end of primary (Year 6). The reforms aim to identify early reading and writing gaps, enable timely support, and ensure all children leave primary school with the literacy skills necessary to succeed.