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Curriculum, assessment and qualifications

 
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NAHT is working to ensure that the curriculum supports the learning, progress and success of all pupils. NAHT supports the principle that a broad and balanced curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

NAHT is campaigning to: 

Support schools to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for their pupils

  • Challenge the government policy, including EBacc, which may narrow the curriculum
  • Enable and support schools to successfully deliver statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education
  • Lobby for improvements to government policy which supports schools to deliver inclusive education and fulfil their responsibilities under the public sector equality duty
  • Support schools to deliver effective careers education for all pupils
  • Support schools to deliver high-quality Religious Education to all pupils
  • Provide guidance, materials and information to support schools in educating pupils about environmental issues.

Ensure a valid and proportionate approach to statutory assessment in primary schools

  • Lobby the government to reconsider the introduction of the multiplication tables check
  • Lobby the government to ensure changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Early Learning Goals are appropriate and relevant for the early years sector
  • Influence the development and implementation of the reception baseline assessment
  • Support members to implement the new statutory assessment for pupils with SEND
  • Identify and challenge the STA over any impact on members of the contract change to deliver statutory assessment in the primary phase
  • Engage with the STA to influence changes and improvements to statutory assessment including moderation and maladministration
  • Campaign for KS2 SPAG to be made non-statutory and oppose any additional statutory testing in the primary phase
 

Ensure the KS4 and KS5 qualification framework and examination system is fit for purpose

  • Press the government, Ofqual and exam boards to ensure that reformed qualifications, both academic and vocational, meet the needs of all pupils and schools
  • Explore the issue of grade reliability, identifying solutions and improvements which are supported by members and pressing the government and Ofqual for appropriate action
  • Inform members of the latest developments in secondary assessment through engagement with Ofqual, JCQ and awarding organisations. 

Schools in the digital crossfire: a special Leadership Focus feature

We’ve released an early publication of a special feature from the next issue of Leadership Focus magazine. This piece examines some of the most pressing challenges facing school leaders today and how we can work collectively to address them.

From online abuse to artificial intelligence (AI), journalist Nic Paton explores how schools are navigating the promises – and perils – of a hyperconnected world in our feature, Schools in the digital crossfire.

The special feature covers three critical areas:

1) Under fire online: protecting school leaders

With online abuse from parents rising sharply, discover first-hand accounts from school leaders, hear from NAHT representatives and learn how we’re working hard to support members around safeguarding staff (and themselves) online, including advice from our experts.

2) Pupils and pixels: mobile phones, digital education and AI

Explore how schools are navigating the complex intersection of mobile phone use, digital learning and the rise of AI, balancing opportunity with safety and well-being for pupils.

3) Breached and exposed: cyber threats facing schools

Think it could never happen to you? See why strengthening digital resilience is now essential for every school’s strategy.

We believe this feature will resonate with your daily challenges and offer practical insights and support. We’d love to hear your thoughts: what issues have you faced in your school community, and what solutions have worked for you?

Share your experiences or questions with us – your voice helps shape the conversation.

First published 16 July 2025