Curriculum and Assessment Review 2027: Key Changes for Primary Schools

Estimated read time: 4 minutes

The government's Curriculum and Assessment Review marks an important step in the evolution of education in England, with a revised National Curriculum expected to be published in 2027 and introduced in schools from September 2028. Following the publication of the final review report in November 2025, ministers accepted many of its recommendations, signalling the most significant curriculum reform in over a decade.

Rather than proposing a complete overhaul, the review describes its approach as "evolution, not revolution". Reading, writing, and maths will remain at the heart of primary education, but the proposed reforms aim to create a curriculum that is less crowded, more connected, and better equipped to prepare children for life in a rapidly changing world.

As part of our commitment to supporting schools through curriculum change, Developing Experts attended the BESA Curriculum Conference to gain early insights into the review and its potential impact on primary education. In this blog, we explore the potential implications for primary schools and consider how Developing Experts is already responding to the changes proposed in the review. 

Oracy: A Growing Priority in Primary Education 

Oracy is emerging as one of the key themes of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Strong speaking and listening skills are fundamental to children's learning, helping them develop confidence, vocabulary, critical thinking and the ability to express and justify their ideas. The review suggests that oracy should play a more prominent role across the primary curriculum, with greater opportunities for discussion, debate, presentation, and collaborative learning. Rather than being treated as a standalone skill, oracy is likely to become a golden thread running through all subjects in the National Curriculum.

Citizenship and Preparing Children for Modern Life 

Citizenship is expected to become a statutory subject in the Primary National Curriculum, helping children develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate modern life. The review highlights areas such as media literacy, financial education, and sustainability as increasingly important for young people growing up in a rapidly changing world. Schools can expect to see a greater emphasis on helping pupils think critically, make informed decisions, and understand their role as responsible citizens in both local and global communities. 

A Less Crowded, More Connected Curriculum

One of the review's key messages is the need for a less crowded curriculum, allowing teachers and pupils more time to develop a deeper understanding of essential knowledge and skills. Rather than continually adding new content, the review suggests a greater focus on what matters most, while making stronger connections between subjects. This could lead to more meaningful cross-curricular learning opportunities, helping children see how knowledge is linked across the curriculum and apply their learning in real-world contexts. At Developing Experts, linking curriculum learning to careers and real-world contexts is a key priority. We do this through our Expert & Career films. Take a look at our curriculum. 

The Future of PE 

The review also highlights the importance of Physical Education, recommending a renewed focus on inclusion and lifelong participation in physical activity. While competitive sport will remain an important part of PE, future curriculum developments may place greater emphasis on developing children's confidence, movement skills, and understanding of healthy, active lifestyles. This reflects a broader view of PE as supporting physical, social, and emotional wellbeing, as well as sporting achievement. The review is also expected to emphasise that two hours of PE per week for all students must be protected. 

How Developing Experts Is Supporting Schools Through the Curriculum Review 

At Developing Experts, we are already preparing for the Curriculum and Assessment Review and are committed to supporting schools throughout the transition. As further details emerge, we will provide a clear schedule outlining when updated units will be released, helping schools plan ahead with confidence. Alongside curriculum updates, we will continue to enhance our resources by refreshing our Expert and Career films, expanding the use of animations in our lessons, improving differentiation, and providing more comprehensive answer sheets. We will also use this opportunity to review the suggestions and improvements submitted by you through our feedback form, ensuring that user feedback helps shape future developments. By combining curriculum alignment with ongoing platform improvements, we aim to ensure that schools have access to the highest-quality resources as the new curriculum takes shape. 

Key dates

• November 2025: Final review report published
• 2026–2027: Curriculum development and consultation
• Spring 2027: Revised National Curriculum published
• Spring 2027: DE will begin to review and update all units and lessons from KS1 to KS4 to ensure they are aligned to the new National Curriculum framework. We will release the updated units as soon as they are ready. Teachers will be able to access both the old curriculum and the new curriculum to help them make their transitions.
• September 2028: Implementation begins in schools

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