Labour is facing a fresh backlash over education today with a review of the national curriculum stressing ‘diversity’.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered a ‘refresh’ of what is taught in schools in England, complaining the existing framework is ‘outdated’.
The terms of reference for the overhaul say it must reflect the ‘diversities of our society’.
Unions and other teaching groups have made submissions to the review urging it to ‘decolonise’ subjects that are ‘monocultural’, according to the Telegraph.
The move was highlighted after Ms Phillipson faced a ferocious backlash for claiming middle-class parents support Labour’s tax raid on private school fees.
She claimed to be ‘the voice of pushy middle-class parents’ who have mostly been priced out of sending their children to independent schools.
Labour is facing a fresh backlash over education today with a review of the national curriculum stressing ‘diversity’
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered a ‘refresh’ of what is taught in schools in England, complaining the existing framework is ‘outdated’
The Government appointed education charity chief Professor Becky Francis to lead its curriculum and assessment review in July.
The King’s Speech laid out plans for all state schools – including academies – to be legally required to teach the national curriculum up to age 16 to give every child a ‘broad and rounded education’.
Prof Francis emphasised at the time that she would consider how any changes might contribute to staff workload, while the DfE stressed the review will seek ‘evolution not revolution’.
The terms of reference state: ‘The Review will ensure that the curriculum reflects the issues and diversities of our society and that every child and young person is represented and has access to a broad range of subjects.’
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: ‘Instead of spending time fiddling with our academic curriculum, which has led to English children being the best at maths and English in the Western world, the DfE needs to concentrate on getting absence rates down and kids back in the classroom.’
But a spokesman for Ms Phillipson said: ‘The review of the curriculum currently being conducted by Prof Becky Francis will ensure we retain a knowledge-rich curriculum that also gives children the vital tools they need to succeed and flourish at work and in life.
‘Our new curriculum will breathe new life into learning for all children by ensuring that what they are taught is engaging and allows them to achieve and thrive at school.
‘This government will drive high and rising standards across all of our state schools and deliver opportunity throughout our country.
‘The Conservatives have shown by stoking culture wars yet again that they have nothing to offer families in this country.’
Over the weekend Ms Phillipson bullishly defended Labour’s policy of charging VAT of 20 per cent on private school fees – which comes into effect this week.
She said the average private school fee had reached the ‘considerable sum’ of about £18,000 a year, adding: ‘Middle-class parents in good professional jobs with housing costs just can’t afford that level of fee and they want brilliant state schools.
‘This policy allows us to raise more money to invest in what really matters for families.’
But the comments provoked fury, with campaigners branding her ‘tin-eared’ and accusing her of stoking class war.
Dr Julie Robinson, chief executive of The Independent Schools Council, said: ‘The majority of our schools are far removed from the stereotype of independent education propagated by the Government.
‘A typical independent school is a small day school that does not have the means to cut their budget by a fifth to absorb this unprecedented tax.’
The Government appointed education charity chief Professor Becky Francis to lead its curriculum and assessment review in July
‘The families who choose these schools come from a variety of backgrounds, including middle-class incomes.’
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said Ms Phillipson’s remarks were ‘more gaslighting from this socialist government that has broken its general election promises’.
She added: ‘Bridget Phillipson is yet another Left-wing ideologue in Britain’s most socialist Government since the 1970s.’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that £1.7billion will eventually be raised by the policy, claiming that it will give ‘every child the best start in life’.
