Responding to the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report, Nick Harrison, Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, said:

‘Today’s interim report rightly acknowledges that the current system is not working for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The curriculum review should focus on delivering a modern and broad curriculum that better develops non-academic skills such as communication, confidence, and motivation, widens access to the creative arts, and embeds careers education throughout, preparing students from all backgrounds for life and work.

‘A diversity of post-16 pathways are needed to ensure success for all students, including those currently facing a GCSE “re-sit trap”, not just those taking A Levels. It’s also welcome to see a focus on building a curriculum that recognises social and technological change and builds skills needed for the future of work.

‘However, tackling the attainment gap will need much more than a fit for purpose curriculum. The Government will also need to invest in tackling teacher shortages in disadvantaged areas and should urgently rebalance the national funding formula so that schools in deprived areas have the funding they need to properly support pupils.’