Lucy Powell, the current education secretary and Labour’s deputy leader, is advocating for a significant revision of the national curriculum, with a particular focus on enhancing pupils' speaking and oracy skills. Speaking at an education conference, she is expected to highlight the importance of communication abilities in an age dominated by artificial intelligence, arguing that education should prioritize skills that "make us human."

This move reflects a broader shift in education policy under Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government, which aims to bolster vocational training alongside traditional academic subjects. From 2029, alongside compulsory GCSEs in core areas such as mathematics and English, new vocational subjects like construction and child development will be introduced. While this expansion of vocational education has received general approval, experts caution against sacrificing the academic progress achieved in recent years.

England’s education system has seen significant improvements over the past decade, particularly following reforms initiated during the Conservative governments led by Michael Gove and Sir Nick Gibb. Their focus on a knowledge-rich curriculum and high expectations contributed to England’s rise in international rankings. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), England now ranks among the top ten countries worldwide in reading, mathematics, and science. In contrast, Scotland and Wales, which pursued more progressive educational models, have experienced declines, with their results hitting two-decade lows in some areas.

Since Labour’s return to power in 2024, there has been a noticeable shift away from the previous administration’s educational approach. Under former education secretary Bridget Phillipson, the government reduced the autonomy of free schools and academies and commissioned a curriculum review by Professor Becky Francis. Although these changes were relatively incremental, Powell has indicated a desire to push for more substantial reforms that could reshape the curriculum more fundamentally.

Critics warn that another major overhaul, so soon after recent adjustments, risks creating unnecessary disruption in schools and undermining the gains made in academic standards. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a robust curriculum that balances knowledge acquisition with practical skills rather than focusing solely on one at the expense of the other.

As Powell navigates her policy agenda with less than three years before the next general election, educators and experts underscore the importance of stability and continuity in curriculum development. They caution against change driven by political expediency rather than evidence-based educational priorities, pointing to the challenges faced by neighbouring nations as a reminder of the potential consequences of rapid, ideologically driven reforms.