Young people and students have long called for changes to the education system and have innovative ideas on curriculum and assessment. It has been a decade since the national curriculum was last updated in England, and it will be a long time until the next review, so this may well be a once in a generation opportunity to reform what is being taught in our schools and colleges, and how students are being assessed. It is vital that our education system is accessible, enjoyable and empowers and prepares individuals for their future lives in a rapidly changing world. It is because of this that I am ready to take on the responsibility of the Shadow Review.
Youth-led Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review
It is vital that the perspectives of young people are included in the shaping of education, including and beyond the curriculum and assessment systems, as they know firsthand what does and doesn’t work for learners. Behind this Shadow Review is a group of driven young people and leading youth organisations, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I have a voice, NUS, NYA, The Scouts Association, SOS-UK, UK Youth and Young Citizens, who represent the voices of thousands of young people who are part of their organisations. We are united by a determination to support the inclusion of children and youth perspectives in the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) which so far, young people have shared that they have found inaccessible.
The Shadow Review will ensure that there is a broad and diverse representation of student voices across England, using fun and inclusive methods to gather their perspectives. By laying out young people’s visions of what a truly liberated, inclusive and innovative curriculum could look like, the Shadow Review will set out a vision for education that is bold, ambitious, and fit for the challenges we face today and in the future.
In the coming weeks, we will be communicating more about the Shadow Review’s work, announcing the youth panel, launching our ‘Call for Evidence’ and you can expect a regional roadshow from us in early Spring 2025.
Amira Campbell is the President of NUS UK and is leading the youth-led Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review.