Cambourne Village College Sixth Form hosts Department for Education Curriculum and Assessment Review Roadshow for the East of England 

Last week, Cambourne Village College Sixth Form proudly hosted the highly-anticipated Department for Education (DfE) Curriculum and Assessment Review Roadshow for the East of England. The event is a key part of the national roadshow led by Professor Becky Francis CBE, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation and a renowned expert in education policy and reform. The roadshow welcomed over 120 education leaders, policymakers, and thinkers from across the region to discuss the future of curriculum and assessment in schools. 

The DfE Curriculum and Assessment Review seeks to explore, evaluate, and ultimately refine the curriculum and assessment frameworks across England to ensure they align with the needs of a rapidly changing world. With a focus on promoting inclusivity, equity, and academic excellence, the review aims to establish clear guidelines that support all pupils in achieving their full potential. This national initiative will address critical questions around student learning outcomes, curriculum substance, and assessment methodologies. 

Speaking at the event, Professor Becky Francis CBE emphasised the importance of hearing from education professionals at every level: 

"It is essential that we gather diverse perspectives from across the education sector, particularly from those who work at the heart of our schools and classrooms. This review is an opportunity to refresh our curriculum and address existing challenges to ensure that all our young people are enabled to thrive and achieve, irrespective of background.” 

The event featured a series of interactive discussions and workshops, with attendees contributing valuable insights into how current practices can be improved to foster greater pupil engagement and achievement. Attendees include school leaders, teachers, curriculum specialists, and education researchers from across the East of England, all of whom are eager to shape the next generation of educational policy. 

Key themes being addressed in the review include: 

• Redesigning the curriculum to make it more inclusive and adaptable to individual learning needs, while ensuring high academic standards. 

• Improving assessment methods to ensure fairness, reliability, and that they provide a more accurate representation of student abilities. 

• Embedding skills for the future such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy into the curriculum to better prepare students for modern careers. 

• Promoting vocational education alongside traditional academic routes, providing students with broader pathways to success. 

The roadshow marks a critical stage in the consultation process, with feedback from today's event contributing directly to the ongoing review. This will ultimately inform DfE policy decisions, ensuring that the national curriculum and assessment framework continues to reflect both the needs of students and the evolving demands of employers and higher education institutions. 

Cambourne Village College is proud to support this important discussion on the future of education. As a hub of learning in the East of England, the college is committed to fostering innovation and excellence in education, both within its own community and across the broader region. 

Photo credit: Jonathan Bowers

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