'Tough' subjects could be dropped in schools to make way for 'renewed focus' on AI and climate science, curriculum tsar hints

By ELEANOR HARDING

Published: | Updated:

Pupils are set to learn more about climate change and AI but an emphasis on 'tough' subjects may be dropped, in Labour plans to 'dumb down' the curriculum. 

Professor Becky Francis, who is chairing the Government's curriculum review panel, said children need to be better equipped for the 'challenges of the future'.

Addressing the ASCL union conference yesterday, she said the 'rise of artificial intelligence' (AI) means pupils need 'heightened media literacy and critical thinking'.

In addition, 'social, environmental and technical change' means the curriculum should have a 'renewed focus' on 'sustainability and climate science', she said.

She added: 'We will map existing coverage and ensure that gaps are addressed and content brought up to date.'

Professor Francis addressed headteachers in Liverpool to 'give a flavour' of the 'issues we are considering' and the 'direction of the review'.

She also suggested the review may take aim at the EBacc, a flagship Tory performance measure to encourage pupils to take five 'tough' GCSE subjects.

The EBacc consists of English, maths, science, a humanity and a language.

Professor Becky Francis, who is chairing the Government's curriculum review panel, said children need to be better equipped for the 'challenges of the future'

Professor Becky Francis, who is chairing the Government's curriculum review panel, said children need to be better equipped for the 'challenges of the future'

Pupils are set to learn more about climate change and AI but an emphasis on 'tough' subjects may be dropped, in Labour plans to 'dumb down' the curriculum

Pupils are set to learn more about climate change and AI but an emphasis on 'tough' subjects may be dropped, in Labour plans to 'dumb down' the curriculum

The Tories had wanted 90 per cent of pupils to be doing this by 2025, with EBacc performance judged in league tables.

However, Professor Francis said the EBacc's role is being 'assessed' because it 'constrains choices' and limits time for 'vocational and arts subjects'.

She said there has been a 'squeeze' on teaching time for subjects such as arts, design and technology, ICT and computing.

However, Professor Francis said formulative assessments such as primary school multiplication tests, Year 6 Sats, GCSEs and A-levels were 'working well', suggesting they were likely to stay.

Labour commissioned the independent review after winning the election, with an interim report due early next week and a full report in the autumn.

Last night, Shadow Education Minister Neil O'Brien said: 'Here comes more dumbing down from Labour.

'They want to push schools away from a focus on hard academic subjects towards softer subjects.

'They want to get more time for arts subjects by chopping back rigorous content in the core academic subjects.

'Phillipson seems to only listen to the trade unions and is vandalising 30 years of cross-party reform of our schools.'

GCSELabour

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