National Curriculum and Assessment Review– a response from First Give

The Curriculum and Assessment Review published yesterday sets out an ambitious vision. At First Give, we welcome many of its findings and recognise in them the realities we see in schools every day.

We were particularly encouraged to see the Reviews’ emphasis on flexibility to meet local needs, and its recognition that the National Curriculum is only one part of a child’s education. A truly world-class system must make space for experiences that build confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership – the skills that enable young people to thrive in their communities and beyond.

We also welcome the reaffirmation of citizenship education as a means to help young people play a full and active role in society. The Review draws on research from Dr Ali Body at University of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy, which found that children facing socioeconomic disadvantage have fewer opportunities to develop civic skills. Our own evidence shows the same challenge continues into secondary education. Our CEO was proud to serve on the advisory board for this important research, and our new growth strategy focuses on reaching precisely those young people most likely to miss out.

The report acknowledges the tension between the breadth and depth of the national curriculum. While schools are committed to delivering a rich academic offer, the volume of content can leave little space for local priorities and enrichment. We hear this from teachers regularly: they see the value of programmes like First Give in developing essential life skills, but are having to become ever more creative in finding time to deliver them.

Oracy is highlighted as a vital but underdeveloped area. It notes that strong communication skills are increasingly important in modern life, and that while there are examples of excellent practice, including enrichment opportunities designed to build teamwork and leadership, these are not yet widespread. This aligns closely with our own experience. Each year, thousands of students take part in the First Give programme, gaining structured opportunities to speak, collaborate and lead. We see how transformative these skills can be – particularly for those who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities.

Finally, we’re pleased to see the report recognise the value of partnership and innovation across the sector. Through our work with the Fair Education Alliance, First Give contributed to the collective response calling for a curriculum that balances rigour with space for enrichment and wellbeing. We’re encouraged to see many of those themes reflected in the final recommendations.

The Review presents a clear opportunity to reimagine how we equip young people not only with knowledge, but with the civic confidence, empathy and communication skills they need to contribute to a complex world.
We look forward to continued collaboration with our peers across the sector, schools, policymakers and funding partners to help make that vision a reality.