Curriculum and Assessment Review: Full Report Published and JMC response

In July 2024, the government commissioned Professor Becky Francis CBE to convene and chair a panel of experts to conduct the Curriculum and Assessment Review.  The final report has now been published along with the Government’s response to the review.

The JMC welcomes the report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review – Building a World-class Curriculum for all.

In particular we are pleased to note that the report highlights the significance of mathematics for everyday life, as well as being necessary for access to further study and employment.  The strong emphasis on mathematical thinking is also welcomed.

We are pleased that the report has noted JMC’s concerns regarding the high proportion of students who do not achieve level 2 in mathematics by age 16, and we would be keen to engage in further discussion regarding the planned steps to address this.

One omission is the importance of data education and the role that mathematics plays in this.  Whilst the report talks about the rise of AI and trends in digital information it does not acknowledge the role that mathematics plays in data literacy.  It would have been helpful if some recognition could have been given to the work undertaken by the Royal Society on their proposed New Approach to Mathematical and Data Education.

Professor Noel-Ann Bradshaw
Chair The Joint Mathematical Council
10 November 2025