In response to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are launching a youth-led Shadow Review to ensure youth voices are central in shaping the future of education. We are joined by other leading youth organisations, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I have a voice, NUS, NYA, The Scouts Association, UK Youth and Young Citizens, who are all supporting the Shadow Review and represent the voices of the thousands of young people who are part of our organisations. 

We have been supporting students from Teach the Future since 2019 in their advocacy for a review and update to the national curriculum so, the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review launch in July 2024, felt like a big win for the campaign. Many of the students involved in Teach the Future, and wider SOS-UK work, have however found that there isn’t a way for them to meaningfully engage with the  Government’s Review, and have generally found it inaccessible. This sparked their idea of running a youth-led Shadow Review to ensure the inclusion of youth voice.

This youth-led Review will shadow every step of the government Review, from launching our own ‘call for evidence’, running regional roadshow events and publishing an interim and final report. There’s some catching up to do, but we’re moving quickly to ensure youth voices lead, with our reports set to publish ahead of the government’s to support the integration of children and youth perspectives. 

The Shadow Review will soon be announcing their youth panel, which is Chaired by NUS and SOS-UK President, Amira Campbell.  

Enfys, 17, TTF volunteer: “It is crucial that young people’s voices are included in the Curriculum and Assessment Review, as its outcomes will directly impact students like me. The Shadow Review will demonstrate the range of issues that young people care about and how this could be better reflected in the curriculum and in how we are assessed.  I don't feel that the curriculum reflects the fact that young people are growing up in a world shaped by the climate emergency and ecological crisis. This is an exciting opportunity to change our education, and we are ready to share our views with the DfE.”

Visit shadowpanel.uk for further announcements, ways to get involved and what the Shadow Review seeks to deliver.