New OCR review makes case for curriculum and exams reform

A report published by OCR and chaired by former Education Secretary Charles Clarke warns that the current volume and intensity of exams at GCSE is too high, and an overloaded curriculum is narrowing students’ education.   

Our review addresses the curriculum and assessment challenges at Key Stages 3 and 4 – the five years from the age of 11 to 16 which are the core of our secondary school system, focusing on four main areas:

  • Rebalance assessment
  • Digital assessment and learning
  • English and maths at 11–16
  • Curriculum evolution at 11–16

The report was based on extensive research as well as wide consultation with students, teachers and experts. It was authored by OCR's Director of Policy, Paul Steer.

Discover more in our news story, or read the full #StrikingTheBalance report.

We've also created a handy one-page summary for students.

Watch our introduction video

What makes our report special? Hear from our team

📝Read our blogs: Stay updated with the latest blog posts from our team

With the DfE’s curriculum and assessment review in progress, our Policy Researcher, Lindsey Taylor, considers how our report points to some of the solutions.

Lucy Carey, Stakeholder Relationships Manager, looks back at your feedback on our report and what this could mean in terms of developing the curriculum and assessment for the future.

Rebecca Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the English Association (EA), discusses the recommendations made by a range of attendees at the recent EA summit.

We welcome your feedback

💭 Please share your thoughts about the report with us; complete our short survey. Please note, this survey will close on Friday, 6 December.