Preparing UK schools for change
Elizabeth Tyler
“Our ambition is clear: to empower teachers and learners with solutions that respond to the evolving needs of UK schools, today and for the future.”
The UK government’s recently published curriculum and assessment review marks a pivotal moment for education. The vision is clear: building a world-class curriculum for all and equipping young people for our rapidly changing world.
The review sets out a plan for a curriculum that enables teachers to impart critical knowledge and inspire a love of learning. It emphasizes the importance of strong foundations in the primary years, so that students embark on secondary education with confidence, enthusiasm, and curiosity. It also points out the importance of reading as a key skill to enable access to the complete curriculum and introduces new measures to support all students in becoming proficient readers.
The final curriculum will be published in spring 2027 and implemented from September 2028. While the revision of the curriculum presents a real opportunity, it will need strong implementation planning by school leaders and teachers. As Managing Director of UK Education at OUP, I see this as a chance to reaffirm what matters most. We must support teachers and learners with the knowledge, skills, tools, and confidence they need to help every child thrive in a changing world.
I’ve outlined below my six key take-aways from the report and how OUP can support:
Reading and literacy
The review reinforces the importance of reading, from learning to read and decode to cross-curricular literacy and reading for pleasure as drivers of attainment and engagement. Strong foundations in reading are critical for progression, and we welcome the introduction of the Year 8 reading test to ensure students continue to build confidence and fluency beyond primary school.
OUP has decades of expertise in phonics, early reading, and fostering a love of reading. Our trusted programmes including Oxford Reading Tree, Read Write Inc, Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS), and Readerful have helped generations of learners, and our support for reading at Key Stage 3 enables learners to become confident readers in secondary school. We continue to collaborate with educators to provide evidence-based resources and professional development that empower teachers to nurture confident, motivated readers.
Oracy
Oracy—the ability to express oneself fluently and communicate effectively—is increasingly recognised as essential for academic success, confidence, and wellbeing. It supports learning across subjects and equips students with vital communication skills for life beyond school.
The review recommends introducing an oracy framework for primary and secondary children, placing spoken language alongside reading and writing as a core skill. This reflects a growing understanding that oracy underpins learning and prepares students for future challenges.
OUP champions oracy through our publishing and partnerships. Techniques are embedded in Read Write Inc. and ELS, and are woven throughout Readerful. We also work with Voice 21, the UK’s leading oracy education charity, to define best practice for embedding oracy across subjects. Together, we have developed free resources such as Talk for Maths Benchmarks and Fluency and Phonics for Maths Benchmarks to help schools integrate oracy into everyday teaching.
Supporting learners with SEND
We welcome the review’s call for greater inclusion and its recommendation for evidence-led guidance on adapting curriculum and pedagogy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This aligns with our long-standing commitment to creating resources that are accessible for all learners. For example, the ELS phonics programme is built around equitable learning, and its research-based inclusive approaches bring benefits to all.
Our recent Supporting children with SEND report shares insights from 260 schools, practical advice from SEND experts, and case studies of inclusive classrooms. From differentiated materials to targeted interventions, we work closely with schools to ensure every learner can make progress. As one school implementing our Read Write Inc. phonics programme commented: “Our children make progress in reading regardless of their background, language, or SEND status.”
AI and digital
Technology is transforming teaching, learning, and assessment. AI offers opportunities to personalize learning, reduce workload, and enhance classroom experiences, but only when guided by educational value. These developments make digital literacy essential skills for all learners.
The proposal for a new qualification in data science and AI for 16–18-year-olds reflects this shift, signalling the importance of preparing young people for a future shaped by intelligent technologies. At OUP, we believe technology should serve learning, not the other way around. Our Teaching the AI-Native Generation report explores the impact of AI on students’ skills and provides advice for schools looking to develop AI literacy in the classroom. As digital innovation accelerates, we remain committed to supporting educators with solutions that are ethical, evidence-based, and focused on meaningful outcomes.
Assessment
The review aims to ensure that assessment reflects the breadth of the curriculum and captures the strengths of every young person, striking the right balance between different assessment methods. We welcome the proposed reduction in assessment burden at GCSE, which should help alleviate pressure on students while maintaining high standards.
Effective in-school assessment is a powerful tool for driving improvement. It helps teachers identify learning gaps, tailor their teaching, and unlock progress for every student. When used well, assessment supports both academic achievement and learner confidence.
Our resources are designed to support formative and summative assessment across subjects, with tools that provide actionable insights for teachers. For example, Kerboodle plays a central role in schools’ digital learning ecosystems, integrating formative assessment tools that enhance teaching and learning. Alongside this, our comprehensive revision resources, such as Oxford Revise, help students prepare effectively for exams, ensuring they feel confident and ready to succeed.
Subject changes and implementation
We’re looking forward to working alongside subject communities, teachers, and partners to bring these changes to life. Our focus is on continuing to help educators develop coherent, sequenced, knowledge-rich curricula and giving them the tools to adapt and deliver these effectively in their own contexts. We’re committed to increasing access to triple science, drawing on our expertise to remove barriers through targeted support, CPD, and high-quality resources.
Embedding diversity and inclusion across subjects and resources remains a priority, ensuring every learner sees themselves reflected in what they study. At the same time, we want to equip students with the critical skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world—building analytical thinking, media literacy, and financial literacy into the curriculum.
To achieve this, we’ll continue to innovate in ways that make teachers’ planning and delivery as efficient and effective as possible, leveraging AI tools and high-quality resources to save time and enhance impact in the classroom.
Continuing to lead with learning
Change is constant, but so too is our commitment to working with and empowering teachers. We combine trusted content with responsible technology, grounded in research and best practice. Our ambition is clear: to empower teachers and learners with solutions that respond to the evolving needs of UK schools, today and for the future.
Find out more about our response to the curriculum review here.
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