My name is Hanna and I am dedicated to making a positive contribution towards education.
I am experienced in helping young children in school such as being an anti-bullying ambassador and a senior prefect teaching me leadership and how to support younger students. I am proud to be an advocate for inclusivity and accessibility for all students in education and hope to make a beneficial change for all.
That’s why I wanted to become a Youth Shadow Panellist. The panel was set up in response to the Government’s curriculum and assessment review, because it did not ask what young people thought about their own education.
From December 2024 to January 2025, over 550 young people across England shared their views on what they like, dislike, and want to improve about their education. This feedback has been turned into a report to help shape the future of learning, ultimately helping thousands of other children and young people in education!
Education shapes our future—but young people rarely get a say in how it works. This project gave us a voice to highlight issues and push for changes that truly reflect our needs.
As a young person, I’ve felt the stress of exams and wished for lessons that felt more connected to real life. Hearing these stories reminded me that I’m not alone in wanting an education system that works better for everyone.
Here’s what we discovered.
Key findings
- Learning isn’t relevant to real life. Students feel unprepared for adulthood, with little focus on practical life skills like cooking and managing money.
- Lessons need to be more interactive. Many struggle to engage with lessons that feel passive or outdated. Hands-on, practical learning is preferred.
- Not enough focus on the future. Topics like sustainability, climate change, and nature need more attention to prepare students for real-world challenges.
- Lack of diversity and inclusivity. The curriculum often overlooks non-Western perspectives and doesn’t do enough to support disabled students.
- Excessive exam pressure. High-stakes testing causes overwhelming stress, with many students reporting anxiety and burnout.
Recommendations
- Teach life skills like finances and cooking.
- Make learning interactive with practical activities.
- Focus on the future with lessons on climate change and sustainability.
- Promote diversity by updating the curriculum and improving inclusivity.
- Reduce exam stress by rethinking assessments.
What’s Next?
Throughout March, we hosted events in Dudley, London, Bristol and online to discuss these themes and share ideas. The final report will be published in summer 2025, featuring even more concrete recommendations for change.
What do you think about your education? Together, we can create a system that inspires, prepares, and supports us all.
To read the full report and learn more about the Youth Shadow Panel’s work, visit shadowpanel.uk