National curriculum review in England: 10 key recommendations

"The length of GCSE exams should be shrunk by 10%, which could shave about three hours off for each pupil. The review found evidence that England is an international outlier in the excessive length and number of exams taken by its 16-year-olds, and argues that exams could be shortened without any loss of rigour. Individual GCSE subject content should be slimmed down, particularly in history and sciences, to give pupils more time for non-assessed but mandatory subjects such as PE, citizenship and relationships."

"The English baccalaureate suite of GCSE subjects introduced by Michael Gove, which was designed to steer pupils towards eight core academic subjects but excluded arts or vocational subjects, should be scrapped. The measure has long been opposed by arts and creative educators. Stronger representation should be made of the diversity that makes up our modern society, allowing more children to see themselves in the curriculum."

"Religious education should be made part of the national curriculum at all stages, taking its content out of the hands of local advisory councils. The review heard evidence that RE provision in many schools is not good enough and does not prepare pupils adequately for life beyond school. A new diagnostic test in maths and English to support teachers in identifying gaps in pupils' knowledge at year 8 should be introduced, ensuring more students are supported to progress successfully."

GCSE exam length should be reduced by about 10%, cutting roughly three hours of assessment time per pupil while retaining rigour. Subject syllabuses should be slimmed, especially in history and the sciences, to free time for mandatory but non-assessed subjects including PE, citizenship and relationships, sex and health education. The English baccalaureate should be removed to allow arts and vocational subjects greater parity. Religious education should be placed in the national curriculum at all stages. Introduce a year 8 diagnostic test in maths and English and mandate primary citizenship with financial, media literacy and climate education elements.

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