Responding to Professor Becky Francis' call for evidence for the curriculum and assessment review, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union, NAHT, said:

“This review is a much-needed step towards fixing an overloaded and outdated system, and we will be responding to the call for evidence in full. This is a real opportunity to create a curriculum that prepares children and young people for their lives in the modern world. It's therefore disappointing that there is only an 8-week period in which to respond.

"School leaders are clear that change is essential. However, school leaders are firefighting crises on multiple fronts – from recruitment and retention, to crumbling buildings and SEND funding - so the review must deliver some significant short-term changes which improve the educational experience for pupils and reduce pressures on schools, but some changes will need to be more incremental.

The current curriculum

“School leaders and teachers need the freedom to develop and deliver the curriculum in their schools to support the learning and progress of all pupils. The current curriculum must be updated so that it is relevant and fully reflects the diversity of our society.

“Teachers are hard-pressed to get through the existing overcrowded curriculum – there is just too much content to effectively teach in the time available. Reducing that content will support the improvement of teaching and learning, as well as the enjoyment and engagement of pupils in their learning. 

On statutory testing

“It is vital that we reduce the number of high-stakes tests children take and so also reduce the negative impact these have on the curriculum.

“In a survey we conducted earlier this year, 88% of school leaders said statutory assessments do not help children progress, and a further two-thirds (72%) said the current statutory assessments fail to provide parents with useful information about their children’s progress.  

"NAHT is calling for the number of primary statutory assessments to be scaled back. This should include scrapping the Key Stage Two grammar, punctuation, and spelling test – this is assessed as part of writing, so a separate test is unnecessary. The phonics screening and multiplication tables checks should be made optional - available for schools to use at a point (or points) of their choosing to support the learning and progress of their pupils.  

Performance Measures  

“We will also be making the case for an overhaul of the use of published performance data and league tables which offer blunt, unreliable comparisons between schools. The current system promotes competition rather than collaboration, which hinders school improvement and pupil outcomes. Parents and schools deserve better.”