The ability to speak fluently and communicate effectively is set to be given equal importance to reading and writing in the national curriculum for England, according to plans announced by Education Secretary Lucy Powell. The forthcoming changes will see speaking and listening skills formally assessed as part of GCSE exams, marking a significant shift in educational priorities.

Powell will emphasize in her upcoming speech that speaking skills have traditionally been linked to social privilege, but she aims to ensure that clear articulation becomes accessible to all students. She will argue that confident communication is central to personal and professional success, stating that no child should be left behind due to an inability to express themselves verbally. This initiative aligns with broader Labour goals to break down what Sir Keir Starmer described as a “class ceiling” limiting opportunities for working-class children.

The overhaul will also reduce the amount of desk-based academic work and formal assessments in subjects like drama, physical education, and music, replacing them with more practical evaluations. Powell contends that practical skills have diminished within the current curriculum at a time when technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, make such abilities increasingly crucial.

These proposals follow a curriculum review commissioned under Powell’s predecessor, Bridget Phillipson, and led by Professor Becky Francis, which recommended fewer GCSEs but called for gradual adjustments rather than radical change. The new approach represents a departure from Phillipson’s more cautious stance.

The move is expected to spark debate, particularly among critics who fear it could undermine academic rigor. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott expressed concern that reopening the curriculum review risks destabilizing recent progress and reversing reforms that were credited with boosting England’s international educational standing. England has been recognized for maintaining a knowledge-rich curriculum since former education secretary Michael Gove introduced his reforms, contrasting with Scotland and Wales, where more skills-based curricula have coincided with lower rankings in global education comparisons.

Policy observers note the tension between maintaining high academic standards and adapting to a changing global landscape in which practical skills and technological fluency are increasingly valued. Powell’s announcement signals an effort to recalibrate education to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the modern workforce while addressing issues of educational equity.

The Department for Education has not issued a formal comment on the proposals ahead of Powell’s speech.