Response to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review

AI in Education welcomes the Government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review as a landmark opportunity to modernise the national curriculum and align it more closely with the demands of a digital, AI-driven world. The review rightly recognises that our education system must evolve to equip all young people with the skills, knowledge and ethical understanding they need to thrive in a future shaped by artificial intelligence.

We particularly welcome the Government’s commitment to enhancing digital literacy, media literacy and data science, and the recognition that these must be woven through subjects rather than confined to computing alone. The proposal to replace the Computer Science GCSE with a broader qualification encompassing data science and AI is a significant step forward - signalling that the ability to understand, evaluate and use AI responsibly is no longer optional but essential. The addition of statutory citizenship education in key stages 1 and 2, and the strengthened focus on critical thinking, communication and oracy, will also help young people navigate an increasingly complex and information-rich world.

Equally encouraging is the Review’s emphasis on teacher autonomy and professional trust, supported by evidence-led training and clearer curriculum design. The creation of a machine-readable, interconnected national curriculum could, if delivered well, enable teachers to design richer, more coherent learning experiences while reducing workload and duplication. The inclusion of new frameworks for reading, writing and speaking at key stage 3 - alongside a focus on adaptive teaching and formative assessment - signals an understanding that literacy in all its forms remains the foundation of learning.

However, while the Government’s response is ambitious in scope, it still falls short of a comprehensive national strategy for AI in education. The curriculum reforms acknowledge that AI and digital literacy are vital, but they do not yet establish the structures, support and safeguards schools will need to integrate AI safely and effectively across all subjects and phases. Without a coordinated framework, schools risk facing the same uneven landscape we currently see - where a small number of well-resourced institutions lead innovation, while many others struggle with confidence, infrastructure and clarity.

AI in Education’s work with over 300 schools across the UK shows that teacher confidence in using AI remains low, and that schools urgently need help to develop coherent, ethical AI strategies that align with their curriculum, safeguarding and professional development priorities. The forthcoming reforms must therefore be underpinned by targeted investment in teacher training, digital infrastructure and leadership capacity. Every teacher, SENCO and school leader should have access to structured, research-based guidance on how AI can enhance learning, reduce workload and close attainment gaps - not widen them.

We also note that the Review’s focus on curriculum and assessment reform needs to be matched by a clear approach to equity and inclusion. AI presents extraordinary opportunities for pupils with additional learning needs - from personalised feedback to assistive technologies - but only if the sector is supported to implement these tools ethically and accessibly. As the Government expands its SEND and literacy programmes, it must ensure that AI is deployed as a force for inclusion, not division.

Finally, the Review calls for regular “light-touch” updates to the curriculum to keep pace with technological change. This is welcome - but must be accompanied by a robust process for sector consultation, including the voices of teachers, pupils and independent organisations with expertise in educational AI. The speed of AI development demands not just agility but stewardship: a commitment to safe, transparent and human-centred innovation.

At AI in Education, we believe that the UK can lead the world in the responsible use of AI in schools. To do so, we need not only curriculum reform but a National AI Strategy for Education - one that sets clear standards, invests in professional capacity, and ensures that every learner, regardless of background, can thrive in an AI-enabled future.

AI in Education stands ready to support this mission - helping schools move from risk to readiness, from uncertainty to confidence, and from digital divide to digital opportunity.

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