Everyone can agree on one thing regarding the government’s review of the school curriculum and exams in England: Becky Francis, its leader, faces a mammoth task. In many ways, schools are inspiring places. But mounting difficulties on several fronts, including the recruitment and retention of teachers, and an inadequate Send system (for children with special educational needs and disabilities), have put them under severe strain. The challenge for Prof Francis, and the government, is to find a way of improving teaching and learning that doesn’t involve huge expense or workloads.
Ministers know this will be a tricky circle to square. Evolution rather than revolution is what they have asked for. So what is to be hoped for?
