Becky Francis
@beckyfrancis.bsky.social
Educationalist, sometime academic, committed to supporting social justice and evidence-led policymaking and practice in education.
Currently stepped away from leadership of the EEF to lead the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review
Currently stepped away from leadership of the EEF to lead the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review
Reposted by Becky Francis
The great joy of being a grown-up is that you can decide it's time to raid the snacks that you've theoretically put away for Christmas
November 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The great joy of being a grown-up is that you can decide it's time to raid the snacks that you've theoretically put away for Christmas
Trying to travel to the West Country thos morning. First train delayed so I missed my connection, now following train 'delayed' and no announcements/time specified. This is all so regular. Honestly, we wonder why productivity is low....
November 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Trying to travel to the West Country thos morning. First train delayed so I missed my connection, now following train 'delayed' and no announcements/time specified. This is all so regular. Honestly, we wonder why productivity is low....
Reposted by Becky Francis
The Curriculum & Assessment Review, led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, is out - and it has potential implications for how schools think about history in the primary curriculum.
A short thread on what it might means for local history and teacher collaboration 👇
A short thread on what it might means for local history and teacher collaboration 👇
November 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The Curriculum & Assessment Review, led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, is out - and it has potential implications for how schools think about history in the primary curriculum.
A short thread on what it might means for local history and teacher collaboration 👇
A short thread on what it might means for local history and teacher collaboration 👇
Reposted by Becky Francis
What does the curriculum review mean for the sector? @missgoodyear.bsky.social and @samgibbs.bsky.social set out six points for schools to consider as they plan to implement the review's recommendations
What the curriculum review means for schools
As the profession digests the curriculum and assessment review’s recommendations, thoughts turn to putting them into practice, write Tracy Goodyear and Sam Gibbs
www.tes.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
What does the curriculum review mean for the sector? @missgoodyear.bsky.social and @samgibbs.bsky.social set out six points for schools to consider as they plan to implement the review's recommendations
Reposted by Becky Francis
This week I have written about whether the government's proposed changes to school accountability - Progress 8 - make sense (£/free trial). timleunig.substack.com/p/school-sta... @daisychristo.bsky.social @branwenjeffreys.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
School standards
What to do about secondary school accountability measures
timleunig.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
This week I have written about whether the government's proposed changes to school accountability - Progress 8 - make sense (£/free trial). timleunig.substack.com/p/school-sta... @daisychristo.bsky.social @branwenjeffreys.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
Reposted by Becky Francis
"We have deliberately sought to facilitate teacher autonomy & teachers’ ability to bring the curriculum to life, to own the curriculum as their material & tool, & give them a bit more space to have the freedom to enhance & direct content, depending on their classroom." @beckyfrancis.bsky.social 1/2
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
"We have deliberately sought to facilitate teacher autonomy & teachers’ ability to bring the curriculum to life, to own the curriculum as their material & tool, & give them a bit more space to have the freedom to enhance & direct content, depending on their classroom." @beckyfrancis.bsky.social 1/2
Reposted by Becky Francis
Hi #Edusky, it's time for my #Saturday3 and the big story this week is the @beckyfrancis.bsky.social led curriculum review. Already lots of ink spilt on social media but really you should read the report itself. FWIW, I think it's a good effort.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b96...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b96...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
November 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Hi #Edusky, it's time for my #Saturday3 and the big story this week is the @beckyfrancis.bsky.social led curriculum review. Already lots of ink spilt on social media but really you should read the report itself. FWIW, I think it's a good effort.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b96...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b96...
Reposted by Becky Francis
As for Sciences, DT and computing
(My wheelhouse) They are bang on even if I worry how we could get the right amount of teachers. The aims are great here. Long have Physics, DT and Computing been in a bad way. These reforms from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social are absolutely needed. 👏👏
(My wheelhouse) They are bang on even if I worry how we could get the right amount of teachers. The aims are great here. Long have Physics, DT and Computing been in a bad way. These reforms from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social are absolutely needed. 👏👏
November 8, 2025 at 10:17 AM
As for Sciences, DT and computing
(My wheelhouse) They are bang on even if I worry how we could get the right amount of teachers. The aims are great here. Long have Physics, DT and Computing been in a bad way. These reforms from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social are absolutely needed. 👏👏
(My wheelhouse) They are bang on even if I worry how we could get the right amount of teachers. The aims are great here. Long have Physics, DT and Computing been in a bad way. These reforms from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social are absolutely needed. 👏👏
Reposted by Becky Francis
ICYMI: Government has accepted the Francis review recommendation to introduce RE to the national curriculum - but has said the sector must 'reach consensus on whether this is achievable'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
ICYMI: Government has accepted the Francis review recommendation to introduce RE to the national curriculum - but has said the sector must 'reach consensus on whether this is achievable'
Reposted by Becky Francis
(FWIW, I think the new curriculum review does a really good job at not damaging a system that is working while making sensible recommendations for additions)
November 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
(FWIW, I think the new curriculum review does a really good job at not damaging a system that is working while making sensible recommendations for additions)
Reposted by Becky Francis
Is the new Curriculum & Assessment Review from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social “dumbing down” education — or redefining what rigour means?
enserm.substack.com/p/is-the-cur...
🧵 A short thread for school leaders 👇
enserm.substack.com/p/is-the-cur...
🧵 A short thread for school leaders 👇
Is the Curriculum and Assessment Review “Dumbing Down” Education – or Simply Redefining Rigour?
What does a mature education system set out to achieve?
enserm.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Is the new Curriculum & Assessment Review from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social “dumbing down” education — or redefining what rigour means?
enserm.substack.com/p/is-the-cur...
🧵 A short thread for school leaders 👇
enserm.substack.com/p/is-the-cur...
🧵 A short thread for school leaders 👇
Reposted by Becky Francis
Assessment can be a tail that wags the curriculum dog.
Here’s how @beckyfrancis.bsky.social Curriculum and Assessment Review + the Geography Subject Report suggest we rethink it.
A thread from my final post in the series
enserm.substack.com/p/reading-th...
Here’s how @beckyfrancis.bsky.social Curriculum and Assessment Review + the Geography Subject Report suggest we rethink it.
A thread from my final post in the series
enserm.substack.com/p/reading-th...
Reading the Curriculum Review as a Geography Teacher (Part 3)
Rethinking assessment and exam volume in geography
enserm.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Assessment can be a tail that wags the curriculum dog.
Here’s how @beckyfrancis.bsky.social Curriculum and Assessment Review + the Geography Subject Report suggest we rethink it.
A thread from my final post in the series
enserm.substack.com/p/reading-th...
Here’s how @beckyfrancis.bsky.social Curriculum and Assessment Review + the Geography Subject Report suggest we rethink it.
A thread from my final post in the series
enserm.substack.com/p/reading-th...
Reposted by Becky Francis
Proud of the wide support the Curriculum and Assessment Review has attracted from across the educational spectrum.
Labour wants to set up our children for tomorrow. The work of @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and colleagues is an essential step forward in securing standards and opportunity.
Labour wants to set up our children for tomorrow. The work of @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and colleagues is an essential step forward in securing standards and opportunity.
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Proud of the wide support the Curriculum and Assessment Review has attracted from across the educational spectrum.
Labour wants to set up our children for tomorrow. The work of @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and colleagues is an essential step forward in securing standards and opportunity.
Labour wants to set up our children for tomorrow. The work of @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and colleagues is an essential step forward in securing standards and opportunity.
Reposted by Becky Francis
I'm enjoying the genuine sense of opportunity and excitement generated. Thank you for such a thoughtful piece of work - there is so much potential for positive change.
November 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I'm enjoying the genuine sense of opportunity and excitement generated. Thank you for such a thoughtful piece of work - there is so much potential for positive change.
Gratifying to see the Leader column in @schoolsweek.bsky.social this morning. The feedback 'sensible' and 'evidence-led' are exactly where the Curriculum & Assessment Review expert panel and I would have hoped to land
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Gratifying to see the Leader column in @schoolsweek.bsky.social this morning. The feedback 'sensible' and 'evidence-led' are exactly where the Curriculum & Assessment Review expert panel and I would have hoped to land
Great to have Tim Oates' wisdom in the Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Great to have Tim Oates' wisdom in the Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Becky Francis
RE teachers have lauded introducing the subject to the national curriculum as a 'landmark moment' after government accepted the recommendation from the Francis review
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
RE teachers have lauded introducing the subject to the national curriculum as a 'landmark moment' after government accepted the recommendation from the Francis review
Reposted by Becky Francis
Fieldwork isn’t a trip – it’s the geography curriculum in action. 🌍
Both Ofsted’s Getting Our Bearings and the new Curriculum & Assessment Review led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social agree.
🧵 A short thread 👇
Both Ofsted’s Getting Our Bearings and the new Curriculum & Assessment Review led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social agree.
🧵 A short thread 👇
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Fieldwork isn’t a trip – it’s the geography curriculum in action. 🌍
Both Ofsted’s Getting Our Bearings and the new Curriculum & Assessment Review led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social agree.
🧵 A short thread 👇
Both Ofsted’s Getting Our Bearings and the new Curriculum & Assessment Review led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social agree.
🧵 A short thread 👇
Reposted by Becky Francis
'Contrary to some critical commentaries, this is not ‘dumbing down’ – quite the opposite', says Sir Hamid Patel
'The review safeguards core knowledge and achieves the shifts necessary as we hurtle through the 21st century'
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-curricul...
'The review safeguards core knowledge and achieves the shifts necessary as we hurtle through the 21st century'
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-curricul...
The curriculum review is levelling up, not 'dumbing down'
The national curriculum review and government’s response offer a compelling road map to elevate our education system from good to great, says Sir Hamid Patel
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
'Contrary to some critical commentaries, this is not ‘dumbing down’ – quite the opposite', says Sir Hamid Patel
'The review safeguards core knowledge and achieves the shifts necessary as we hurtle through the 21st century'
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-curricul...
'The review safeguards core knowledge and achieves the shifts necessary as we hurtle through the 21st century'
schoolsweek.co.uk/the-curricul...
Reposted by Becky Francis
📢 Join us on Friday for Under the CAR Bonnet - a free Schools Week webinar on the curriculum and assessment review
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
November 6, 2025 at 5:30 AM
📢 Join us on Friday for Under the CAR Bonnet - a free Schools Week webinar on the curriculum and assessment review
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...
Reposted by Becky Francis
What is the curriculum review recommending for your subject? From art and design to science, we break down the full proposals ⬇️
Curriculum review: what does it say about your subject?
The newly published review of curriculum and assessment makes a series of recommendations across different subjects. Find out how your subject could change if the government takes forward its…
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 AM
What is the curriculum review recommending for your subject? From art and design to science, we break down the full proposals ⬇️
Reposted by Becky Francis
🧵 The curriculum and assessment review has been published – here, @cerysturner.bsky.social rounds up the main recommendations, including scrapping the EBacc and making triple science accessible to all at GCSE (1/3)
Curriculum and assessment review: 14 key points
The Francis review’s final recommendations include scrapping the EBacc, reducing exam time and making triple science available to all at GCSE
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
🧵 The curriculum and assessment review has been published – here, @cerysturner.bsky.social rounds up the main recommendations, including scrapping the EBacc and making triple science accessible to all at GCSE (1/3)
Reposted by Becky Francis
Such a welcome opportunity to be positive about the changes coming our way. Thank you to the #CAR Team and @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Why this curriculum review is a rare thing the sector should savour
After years of policy turbulence, we finally have an evidence-based blueprint for change that trusts teachers as the experts, writes MAT chief executive Dan Morrow
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Such a welcome opportunity to be positive about the changes coming our way. Thank you to the #CAR Team and @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by Becky Francis
Thank you for your hard work on this. There will always be commentators from the sidelines, and you won't make everyone happy, but it's important work. I am one of many grateful educators who are pleased that the ball is rolling on necessary curriculum evolution. Thank you, again.
November 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Thank you for your hard work on this. There will always be commentators from the sidelines, and you won't make everyone happy, but it's important work. I am one of many grateful educators who are pleased that the ball is rolling on necessary curriculum evolution. Thank you, again.
Wow, quite the day! Thanks to all of you that have supported, engaged with, and input to, the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Having the different sources of evidence, including the experiences and wisdom 'from the ground' from teachers and school leaders, has been pivotal. Many thanks again!
November 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Wow, quite the day! Thanks to all of you that have supported, engaged with, and input to, the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Having the different sources of evidence, including the experiences and wisdom 'from the ground' from teachers and school leaders, has been pivotal. Many thanks again!