The Lords Committee on Education for 11 to 16 Year Olds has launched an inquiry into the challenges and opportunities faced by the secondary education system in England.

The inquiry will look critically at the effectiveness of the current curriculum and assessment model, exploring whether these are preparing young people for the job opportunities they will encounter specifically in a future digital and green economy.

The scope of the inquiry includes: 

• The range and breadth of subjects covered in the 11-16 curriculum 
• The availability and attractiveness of technical and vocational options in the 11-16 phase 
• The impact of the 11-16 system on the motivation and confidence of pupils of all abilities 
• The effectiveness of GCSEs as a means of assessing the achievements of all pupils at the end of the 11-16 phase 
• Alternative methods of assessment for measuring progress that could be considered either alongside or instead of GCSEs 
• How the school accountability system affects the 11-16 curriculum 
• The role technology can play in education in this phase, including in assessment 
• How the 11-16 system could be adapted to improve the recruitment, training and retention of teachers.