The Youth Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review was officially launched at a special roundtable in London yesterday.
Created in response to the Government’s curriculum and assessment review, the Youth Shadow Panel will ensure that policy-makers listen to the perspectives of young people aged 5-19 on the current state of the education system.
Assembled from schools and colleges across England, the 12-strong youth panel met with Professor Becky Francis CBE, chair of the Government review. This includes Young Citizens’ school representative, Hanna, the youngest of the contributors.
It was an opportunity for the young people to share urgent priorities and honest personal experiences as well as those of their peers, outlining what they would like to keep or change in the curriculum and assessments.
Our Chief Executive, Ashley Hodges, attended the launch roundtable. She said: “I was delighted to join our young representative, Hanna, at the roundtable today. Hearing the lived experiences of students and incredibly thoughtful responses to the specific focus of the review was fascinating. It was a fantastic insight into what is working and maybe not, with clear themes around a relevant curriculum linked to the outside world, with assessments that prize skills and project-based learning so everyone can realise their potential during their education.”
“Whatever comes of the review process, we hope the Government prioritises active citizenship experiences that build vital skills – like oracy, team work and information literacy — for children and young people.”
What is the Youth Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review?
The panel wants to hear from young people from different backgrounds, ages, and with different interests and abilities. They will be sharing feedback with members of the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review Panel, and coordinating with them to shape what is taught in schools and colleges, and how pupils are assessed.
The group is planning roadshow events on emergent themes, youth-led roundtables and dissemination events, and a mass call for evidence.
Chair of the Youth Shadow Panel, and President of the National Union of Students, Amira Campbell said: “Students know firsthand what does and doesn’t work in the current curriculum, having been taught it so recently.”
“We know that meaningful inclusion of youth voice is essential to the quality and legitimacy of the government’s review and this Shadow Review is the perfect avenue to lay out students’ and young people’s visions of what a truly liberated, inclusive and innovative curriculum could and should look like.”
Get involved! – Call for Youth Evidence
Children, young people and their teachers can submit feedback as part of the call for evidence now until 12th January 2025.
The Youth Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review has been launched by a coalition of youth organisations: I Have a Voice, National Union of Students, National Youth Agency, Scouts, Students Organising for Sustainability UK, Save the Children, Reclaim, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, UK Youth and Young Citizens.