Cambridge and its UK exam board OCR has warned that young people are completing their education at 16 without the knowledge and skills they need because of a curriculum that is both overloaded with content but narrow in scope.

This is exacerbated by an “imbalance” in the use of exams at the end of the GCSE period, which combined with an over-full curriculum means teachers do not have time to teach broader skills or more in-depth knowledge.

The warning comes in a submission to the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis and commissioned by Secretary of State Bridget Philipson.

Read a summary of the Cambridge response.

The submission by Cambridge University Press & Assessment was led by its UK exam board OCR, and supported by the wider organisation’s global expertise and experience in education.

The submission builds on research and consultation carried out for OCR’s landmark Striking the Balance report, published earlier this year. The submission includes additional recommendations and evidence.

"A crucial moment for education"

Jill Duffy, Chief Executive of OCR, said: “This is a crucial moment in education in England, and we must not let young people down. While there is much that is working, the curriculum is out of date and missing vital elements like sustainability and digital literacy, while opportunities for the country to become a world leader in digital education are being missed.

“This very welcome review is a good start. The government must now show it has a vision to deliver an education system that is fit not just for now but for the future.”

Jill Duffy has also written in The Times this week, calling on bold action from ministers, adding that the government has a chance "to get education reform right".  

Read the full story on the Cambridge website.