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The Milburn Review was published last week, on 28 May 2026. But what is the Milburn Review? Led by former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, the report explores how schools can better prepare young people for employment and adult life, with recommendations covering the curriculum, careers education, and work experience. This blog looks at what this review means for schools.

Milburn Review Summary: Key Findings 

The Milburn Review found that England's education system is too focused on examinations and qualifications rather than preparing young people for employment and adult life. The report highlights that almost one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET), while only 47% of young people - and just 36% of those who are NEET - said they felt ready for work when they left education. Among young people who are NEET, 67% believe the curriculum did not prepare them for work and 55% feel the education system does not suit people like them. Despite academic success remaining important, nearly 30% of the NEET population achieved good GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, suggesting that qualifications alone are not enough to secure positive destinations after school.

The Impact of the Milburn Review on Schools 

For schools, the Milburn Review signals a shift towards a broader definition of pupil success that extends beyond exam results. While no immediate policy changes have been announced, the review suggests that schools may increasingly be expected to:

• Place greater emphasis on employability skills alongside academic achievement
• Expand access to high-quality careers education and guidance for all pupils
• Build stronger partnerships with employers to provide meaningful workplace experiences
• Improve pupil engagement and attendance by making learning more relevant to future careers
• Ensure students are better prepared for further education, apprenticeships, and employment
• Measure success through a wider range of outcomes, including destinations and work readiness, rather than qualifications alone

The Curriculum: Preparing Pupils for Life and Work 

What can schools do now? At Developing Experts, careers education is embedded throughout the curriculum. This commitment to real-world learning is what sets us apart from many other curriculum providers. Across our lessons, pupils are introduced to a wide range of careers through partnerships with leading organisations, including Morgan Sindall, Rolls-Royce, and the RHS. Industry experts help bring learning to life, showing pupils how the knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom connect to future career opportunities.

Our careers-linked content spans EYFS to KS4, ensuring that pupils are exposed to the world of work from an early age. By making explicit connections between curriculum content and real careers, we help pupils understand the relevance of their learning and raise aspirations for the future.

In addition, our dedicated Careers Zone supports pupils throughout their educational journey. They can explore job families, discover different career pathways, and access Virtual Work Experience opportunities with major employers and industries. This helps pupils make informed decisions about their futures while developing a deeper understanding of the opportunities available to them.

Why Work Experience and Employer Engagement are Central to the Milburn Review’s Vision for Education 

The Milburn Review highlights the vital role that meaningful workplace experiences play in preparing young people for life beyond education. It argues that too many students leave school without the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to make a successful transition into employment.

One way schools can address this is through virtual work experience, which provides an accessible stepping stone to in-person placements. Virtual placements allow students to develop essential employability skills, gain insights into different industries, and experience the world of work in a supportive and structured environment. Furthermore, these placements allow students to be assessed on their readiness for work and engagement, rather than academic success. 

Developing Experts' Virtual Work Experience programmes also encourage students to explore their future pathways, helping them make informed decisions about further education, apprenticeships and careers. This is particularly important given the review's finding that many young people receive limited information about apprenticeship opportunities during their time at school. By broadening access to workplace experiences and career exploration, schools can help ensure that every student is better prepared for their next steps.

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