Warwick Mansell
@warwickmansell.bsky.social
Dad of two. Founder/writer of the website Education Uncovered. Investigating and reporting on education policy since 1997. Please support my work via a subscription to educationuncovered.co.uk Views personal.
I guess the key question now, especially with perhaps related concerns around the wellbeing of young people who are not in the workforce, is: is incremental change enough?
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I guess the key question now, especially with perhaps related concerns around the wellbeing of young people who are not in the workforce, is: is incremental change enough?
Perhaps if they had have done, there would have been a deeper look at the system as experienced by young people. But the timescale for this review – inside 16 months to investigate and report – and the way it was set up from the start seemed to mean cautious change was the watchword.
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Perhaps if they had have done, there would have been a deeper look at the system as experienced by young people. But the timescale for this review – inside 16 months to investigate and report – and the way it was set up from the start seemed to mean cautious change was the watchword.
Although OECD data was referenced multiple times, neither the widely-known stat from the OECD’s PISA data that UK 15-year-olds reported among the lowest life satisfaction among tested nations, nor TIMSS’ findings re high numbers of English 14-year-olds disliking school, featured.
November 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Although OECD data was referenced multiple times, neither the widely-known stat from the OECD’s PISA data that UK 15-year-olds reported among the lowest life satisfaction among tested nations, nor TIMSS’ findings re high numbers of English 14-year-olds disliking school, featured.
But it was staggering – even though predictable from the interim report – that the review offered no acknowledgement of the difficult position England’s secondary schools in particular seem to be in over pupil disaffection and wellbeing.
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
But it was staggering – even though predictable from the interim report – that the review offered no acknowledgement of the difficult position England’s secondary schools in particular seem to be in over pupil disaffection and wellbeing.
It is interesting to track how the review report tried to triangulate a middle way between Gove/Gibb traditionalism and something which might be seen by supporters as a tad more progressive, never directly taking on the former but pushing back on details.
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
It is interesting to track how the review report tried to triangulate a middle way between Gove/Gibb traditionalism and something which might be seen by supporters as a tad more progressive, never directly taking on the former but pushing back on details.
I don't think readers of yesterday's curriculum and assessment review were given much of a sense of this and other troubling system indicators.
November 6, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I don't think readers of yesterday's curriculum and assessment review were given much of a sense of this and other troubling system indicators.
This second graph is also striking.
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This second graph is also striking.
Review finds that "KS2 assessments are generally performing well," without considering or getting into the debate about the amount of time spent on test preparation. Perhaps underscores sense that this report is more impressive on detailed assessment/curr content than on overall learner experience.
November 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Review finds that "KS2 assessments are generally performing well," without considering or getting into the debate about the amount of time spent on test preparation. Perhaps underscores sense that this report is more impressive on detailed assessment/curr content than on overall learner experience.
Review is right to say: "The only contextualisation within Progress 8 is prior attainment; other factors beyond a school’s control are not taken into account, such as the proportion of students receiving free school meals or the proportion with SEND." All measures are imperfect;this is P8 weakness.
November 5, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Review is right to say: "The only contextualisation within Progress 8 is prior attainment; other factors beyond a school’s control are not taken into account, such as the proportion of students receiving free school meals or the proportion with SEND." All measures are imperfect;this is P8 weakness.
On science: "We heard that the volume of content at GCSE level often results in Science being taught as a list of facts to memorise rather than as a subject grounded in fundamental principles." Again,we wouldn't have been hearing this critique in such a report under the Conservatives.
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
On science: "We heard that the volume of content at GCSE level often results in Science being taught as a list of facts to memorise rather than as a subject grounded in fundamental principles." Again,we wouldn't have been hearing this critique in such a report under the Conservatives.
On PE, the review states: "We...recommend that the defined purpose of compulsory PE is broadened slightly..." "Slightly" might be the defining word of this entire document...or am I being unfair?
November 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
On PE, the review states: "We...recommend that the defined purpose of compulsory PE is broadened slightly..." "Slightly" might be the defining word of this entire document...or am I being unfair?
Section on MFL could have provoked awkward discussions within the review panel if there were to be criticism of GCSE, given review observer Sir Ian Bauckham was driving force behind recent Conservative GCSE reforms. But the review ducks this, saying DfE shd review MFL GCSEs from first exams in 2026.
November 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Section on MFL could have provoked awkward discussions within the review panel if there were to be criticism of GCSE, given review observer Sir Ian Bauckham was driving force behind recent Conservative GCSE reforms. But the review ducks this, saying DfE shd review MFL GCSEs from first exams in 2026.
Repeated references in the review to Oak such as this, for history: "Such practice might be bolstered through exemplification resources, such as those published by Oak National Academy." Too cynical to see this as reading a bit like advertising? Wonder how other resource providers feel.
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Repeated references in the review to Oak such as this, for history: "Such practice might be bolstered through exemplification resources, such as those published by Oak National Academy." Too cynical to see this as reading a bit like advertising? Wonder how other resource providers feel.
Also seem to remember former DfE curriculum adviser Tim Oates having argued that notion of an engaging curriculum was a "category error"- engagement was down to teaching. Didn't find that argument convincing, I'm afraid - content surely has potential to influence learner interest.
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Also seem to remember former DfE curriculum adviser Tim Oates having argued that notion of an engaging curriculum was a "category error"- engagement was down to teaching. Didn't find that argument convincing, I'm afraid - content surely has potential to influence learner interest.
Review: "Many respondents to our Call for Evidence and expert stakeholders argued that a ‘dry’ curriculum diet in GCSE English has contributed to a reduced enthusiasm for English at A Level." Yes, GCSE English may be case study of a Gove reform which failed? Ironically, given Gove's degree.
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Review: "Many respondents to our Call for Evidence and expert stakeholders argued that a ‘dry’ curriculum diet in GCSE English has contributed to a reduced enthusiasm for English at A Level." Yes, GCSE English may be case study of a Gove reform which failed? Ironically, given Gove's degree.
...But: "we welcome the publication of [the DfE'swriting framework". Not a universal view: www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
What the writing framework gets wrong about writing
Following the release of the DfE’s primary writing framework, writing researcher Debra Myhill shares her thoughts on its use of evidence and how it positions the skills involved in learning to write
www.tes.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
...But: "we welcome the publication of [the DfE'swriting framework". Not a universal view: www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Teaching grammatical terminology inc fronted adverbials in Key Stage 2. Review: "Responses to our Call for Evidence suggest that this content is advanced and overly theoretical at this key stage, disengages pupils, + does not help them to write well." See also: www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Battle on the adverbials front: grammar advisers raise worries about Sats tests and teaching
The panel of four who advised Michael Gove on the primary spelling and grammar test now have reservations
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Teaching grammatical terminology inc fronted adverbials in Key Stage 2. Review: "Responses to our Call for Evidence suggest that this content is advanced and overly theoretical at this key stage, disengages pupils, + does not help them to write well." See also: www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Nine mentions for Oak National Academy in the document, which I guess may reflect input from some review panel members who have also been involved with Oak.
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Nine mentions for Oak National Academy in the document, which I guess may reflect input from some review panel members who have also been involved with Oak.
And: "Curriculum principle: • The refreshed national curriculum should retain a knowledge-rich approach, ensuring skills are developed in conjunction with knowledge in ways that are appropriate for each subject discipline." Seems to me that this is classic triangulation.
November 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
And: "Curriculum principle: • The refreshed national curriculum should retain a knowledge-rich approach, ensuring skills are developed in conjunction with knowledge in ways that are appropriate for each subject discipline." Seems to me that this is classic triangulation.