Curriculum overhaul to re-engage pupils in vital early secondary years
What was announced
As part of the biggest shake up of the national curriculum in a generation, Key Stage 3 is set to become a more engaging, exciting and distinct part of child’s experience to boost participation and progression
Key points, in the publisher's words
- In response to growing evidence, the Milburn Review, the White Working Class Education Inquiry and the Becky Francis Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government is announcing a distinct focus on the first years of secondary school, as part of their major review of the National Curriculum.
- Too many children are switching off from school in their early teens – affecting their attendance, attainment and life outcomes. And many others are increasingly missing out on the rich and specialist education they should expect at secondary school or are being rushed through content before they have grasped the fundamentals.
- As part of its wide-ranging plans to tackle disengagement, the disadvantage gap and the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training, the government will make the first three years of secondary school count, by restoring Key Stage 3 as a distinct three-year phase.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “Persistent absence is one of the strongest predictors for a young person becoming NEET , and for white working-class children, persistent absence rates are 75% higher in secondary than in primary.”
Who and where
People
- Lucy Powell (MP for Manchester Central (Labour (Co-op))) · more news
UK bodies of power
- Department for Education (UK government department) · more news
Constituencies of the MPs named: Manchester Central.
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Secondary curriculum, key stage 3 and key stage 4 (GCSEs).
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/curriculum-overhaul-to-re-engage-pupils-in-vital-early-secondary-years
- Published 2026-11-08 10:29:31 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-08 10:30:46 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 10392, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Related official news
- De Aston School (Lincolnshire): warning notice
- Plan to drive down homelessness for young people leaving care
- DfE Update 4 November 2026
- New Ukrainian GCSE to help young people preserve their heritage
- Elective home education and children missing education data collection: grant determination
- Improvement notice issued to St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council: October 2026
- Revised improvement notice issued to Halton Borough Council: October 2026
- Improvement notice issued to Halton Borough Council: March 2024
More from GOV.UK
- Scottish Secretary honours armed forces at Remembrance service
- The King to lead nation in silence on Remembrance Sunday
- No one who has served our country should sleep rough on our streets
- Digital Veteran Card passes 23,000 downloads as veterans encouraged to discover its benefits
- UK military satellite Titania launches into orbit following £3bn space investment into defence of space
- Adviser Finder and Adviser Register temporarily unavailable