DfE Publishes Landmark Curriculum Review: What Schools Need to Know for 2028 and Beyond

Last week, the Department for Education released its long-awaited Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report—the first major overhaul of England’s curriculum, assessment, and qualifications system in more than a decade. The scale of change is significant, and its implications will be felt across every phase of education.

Led by Professor Becky Francis CBE, the independent review brings together research, consultation with educators, parents, employers, and young people, as well as widespread polling data. Its conclusion is clear: the current system needs modernising to prepare pupils for an increasingly complex and fast-changing world.

For schools and teachers, this marks the beginning of a new era—one that blends academic rigour with broader skills, digital literacy, and stronger alignment between curriculum, assessment and the realities of life and work.

Below, we break down the key developments and what they mean for your setting.

A New National Curriculum from 2028

The government has confirmed a brand-new national curriculum for first teaching in September 2028, with the final version published in spring 2027, giving schools four terms to prepare.

The new curriculum will:

• Consolidate essential knowledge and skills across all subjects

• Strengthen reading, writing and maths, especially in early and primary years

• Introduce clearer progression models from primary to secondary

• Embrace digital and AI-related content to reflect emerging technologies

• Ensure content is inclusive, diverse, and evidence-based

For schools, this early timeline is welcome—it gives leaders space to plan, budget and align CPD, curriculum intent and staffing.

Curriculum Changes: What’s New Across Subjects

Citizenship in Primary

One of the biggest structural shifts: citizenship will become compulsory in primary.

Pupils will learn early on about democracy, the law, money management, sustainability and spotting misinformation—topics increasingly essential for life in modern Britain.

A New Approach to Computing and Digital Skills

Computer Science GCSE will be replaced with a broader Computing GCSE, with a stronger emphasis on:

• Digital literacy

• Programming

• Data science

• AI and emerging technologies

There will also be a new Data Science & AI pathway for 16–19 learners, recognising workforce demand in these areas.

Triple Science Guarantee

All secondary schools will be required to offer Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs, ensuring equitable access to the full sciences route.

Stronger Writing and Reading Foundations

The review places renewed focus on:

• Early reading

• High-quality phonics

• Clearer expectations for grammar and language

• Strengthened writing assessment in Year 6

• A new Year 8 reading test to identify gaps early

Creative Subjects Regain Status

Arts, music, drama and design will have greater visibility in performance measures. The EBacc will be scrapped, with a new accountability model recognising a broader curriculum—including arts subjects.

This shift reflects the report’s finding that narrowing curricular breadth has disadvantaged the creative and technical pipeline of future industries.

Assessment Reforms: Towards a More Balanced System

Exams Made Shorter—but Fairer

GCSE exams will be streamlined to reduce workload and pressure, without compromising rigour.

New Progress 8 and Attainment 8 Model

The DfE has published an explainer proposing a rebalanced structure that gives equal weight to:

• English and maths

• Two dedicated science slots

• Two breadth slots across humanities, arts, design technology and languages

• Two open breadth slots (including approved technical awards)

The aim is to encourage a broad pre-16 curriculum, rather than steering students into narrowly academic routes.

On-Screen Assessment

The review also signals a shift toward digitally delivered assessments, ensuring pupils can be tested securely and accessibly in an increasingly digital world.

16–19 Reform: A More Coherent Post-16 Landscape

A new framework proposes:

• V Levels, offering a flexible, exploratory alternative to A Levels and T Levels

• Clearer Level 2 pathways leading to work or further study

• Stronger English and maths support for students who need it

• A rationalised qualifications landscape to reduce complexity

These changes aim to create a system that develops work-ready young people with the literacy, numeracy and digital skills employers value.

Skills for a Changing World

The new curriculum emphasises cross-curricular competencies, including:

• Oracy and confident public speaking

• Digital literacy, including safe use of technology

• Money management and financial literacy

• Critical thinking and the ability to spot misinformation

• Understanding climate change and sustainability

These updates reflect the wider view that curriculum should prepare pupils not only for exams, but for life.

What This Means for Schools and Teachers

While the changes are ambitious, they also come with support:

• New subject guidance and progression maps

• National centres of excellence in English, maths and the arts

• CPD funding and training for computing, physics and languages

• PE and sport partnerships

• Digital, machine-readable curriculum documents to aid planning

For school leaders, the immediate priority will be horizon scanning—understanding where the biggest changes sit within your existing provision.

For teachers, there is a clear message: expertise and professional judgement remain central. The new model aims to give teachers more clarity, not more prescription.

Read the government’s response to the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.

How Aston Education Supports Your School Through Change

As a specialist education recruitment agency led by former teachers, we understand how major policy changes impact staffing, curriculum design and long-term workforce planning.

We support schools through:

• Recruitment of high-quality teachers and leaders

• Specialist subject knowledge recruitment (particularly in maths, science, languages and computing)

• Interview and selection processes aligned with new expectations

• Long-term workforce planning to prepare for curriculum change

• Advice on market trends and talent availability

Whether you're building capacity in STEM, strengthening early reading provision, or preparing for 2028 curriculum implementation, we’re here to help you find exceptional people who can lead, deliver and inspire.

Looking Ahead

The Curriculum and Assessment Review represents a major moment for English education. It brings challenges—curriculum redesign, staff training, assessment updates—but it also offers a forward-looking vision built on breadth, inclusivity, digital skills and real-world relevance.

At Aston Education, we’ll continue to analyse the review, support schools through transition, and connect talented educators with the roles and environments where they can make the greatest impact.

If your school is planning ahead for curriculum changes or you’re a teacher considering your next step, get in touch with our team for tailored support.