Government unveils new curriculum to equip young people the skills for life and work

The Government announces a major update to the national curriculum aimed at preparing young people with essential life and work skills, including AI literacy and media awareness.  

As part of the Plan for Change, the revitalised curriculum will deliver the Prime Minister’s target of two-thirds of young people participating in higher-level learning by age 25, giving them tools to succeed in both education and employment. 

The new curriculum will be implemented in full from September 2028 and will introduce a new statutory reading test in year 8 students, designed to identify literacy gaps and provide targeted support.  

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

“It has been over a decade since the national curriculum was updated, and it’s more crucial than ever that young people are equipped to face the challenges of today, so they can seize the exciting opportunities that life has to offer.

“The path to our country’s renewal runs through our schools: they must be an epicentre of the strongest possible foundations of knowledge, and the skills to excel in the modern world. 

“From the fundamentals of reading to the present danger of spotting fake news, as part of our Plan for Change, these landmark reforms will help young people step boldly into the future, with the knowledge to achieve and the skills to thrive as the world around us continues to rapidly evolve.”

The Government aims to publish the final revised national curriculum by spring 2027, giving schools four terms to prepare for the changes. 

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: 

“The Digital Poverty Alliance welcomes the Government’s recognition of the importance of digital and media literacy, particularly through the introduction of media literacy within the new compulsory citizenship subject at primary level. We also welcome the potential development of a new digital and AI qualification at GCSE, which represents an important step towards preparing young people for a rapidly evolving digital world.

“However, we remain concerned that there still appears to be no focus on teaching basic digital skills, the fundamental building blocks that enable young people to engage fully with technology and future opportunities. Our research shows that digital competence isn’t something children simply acquire on their own, and assuming so risks deepening existing inequalities.

“There also remains a gap between teaching media literacy at primary school and offering data and AI learning only to those secondary students who choose it. Without a continuous, inclusive approach to digital education, and without ensuring that every child has access to a suitable device for learning both in and beyond the classroom, we risk leaving many children behind. No matter how ambitious a digital curriculum may be, it cannot be effectively delivered or experienced without the right kit, an issue that must be addressed alongside curriculum reform.”