The British education system is heading for another shake-up — and not everyone is happy about it.

The Labour government, led by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, is set to unveil a sweeping set of reforms that promise to make learning “more relevant” and “diverse.”

But critics warn that these changes could undo years of hard-won academic rigor and spark what some are calling “education vandalism.”

Labour’s Big Plans for Schools

At the heart of Labour’s new education agenda is a desire to modernise and simplify the system.

The upcoming reforms aim to reduce the number of GCSE exams, streamline primary school tests, and scrap what the Tories once called “Mickey Mouse subject” restrictions.

Other headline changes include introducing lessons on climate change, decolonising the curriculum, and giving more room for creative subjects like art, drama, and design.

Phillipson describes these reforms as a way to help students “step boldly into the future,” ensuring that young people develop the knowledge and skills they need in a fast-changing world.

Critics Cry Foul Over “Education Vandalism”

Not everyone is convinced that these plans are good news.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott was quick to accuse Labour of “education vandalism,” arguing that the reforms will lower academic standards rather than raise them.

“Labour’s idea of boosting social mobility,” she said, “is to teach primary school children about climate change instead of making sure they can read, write, and add up properly.”

Trott also warned that fewer students will study history and languages after the age of 14, predicting a decline in academic standards and transparency.

The End of the EBacc Era

One of the most striking parts of the overhaul is the decision to scrap the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) — a cornerstone of Michael Gove’s Tory education reforms.

The EBacc encouraged students to take a balanced mix of “tough” subjects such as English, maths, science, a language, and a humanity.

The Department for Education now argues that this approach “constrains choice.”

Under the new plan, pupils may be allowed to swap a language or humanity for a creative subject.

Former Tory minister Sir Nick Gibb blasted the move as “deeply retrograde,” warning that it would lead to a sharp decline in the study of foreign languages — something he fears will become confined to private schools and wealthier families.

Cutting Exams and Simplifying Tests

Another key promise is to reduce exam load by about 10 percent, cutting 2.5 to 3 hours of exams per student.

The goal, according to the government, is to relieve stress and promote better learning experiences.

In primary schools, the infamous grammar terminology requirements — like “fronted adverbials” and “the subjunctive mood” — will be scrapped.

Instead, younger students will learn practical language skills rather than memorising complex grammatical terms.

Teaching unions, long critical of the old system, have warmly welcomed these moves.

A Curriculum Reflecting Modern Britain

Following a campaign to “decolonise the curriculum,” the government plans to make classroom content more inclusive and representative of diverse communities.

For example, in music education, new frameworks will allow for a wider range of genres and cultural influences.

The Department for Education says it wants “every child to see themselves and their communities reflected in the curriculum.”

What’s Staying and What’s New

Despite the changes, Labour insists it is not compromising academic quality.

Professor Becky Francis, who led the wide-ranging curriculum review, said the goal was to extend high standards to all students, regardless of background.

Among the new measures are:

A statutory reading test in Year 8.
A modernised computer science GCSE.
A new citizenship course in primary schools covering financial literacy and how to identify fake news.
An entitlement for all GCSE students to study three separate sciences — biology, chemistry, and physics.

Who Is Behind the Review?

The reforms stem from a year-long review led by Professor Becky Francis, an academic with a strong focus on social justice, race, and gender studies.

A professor at University College London and a former head of its Institute of Education, Francis is known for her research into social identities, equity, and educational opportunity.

She has spent nearly three decades studying how class, gender, and race influence achievement in schools.

However, her appointment has not been without controversy.

Critics accuse her of being too focused on identity politics and fear her “social justice” agenda could come at the cost of academic excellence.

Supporters Say It’s About Inclusion, Not Ideology

Francis insists that her recommendations do not amount to “dumbing down” education.

Instead, she argues that the reforms are designed to expand opportunity without lowering standards.

“There are delicate balances,” she said in an interview.

“But we can improve the present offer without dropping standards for high achievers.”

Her supporters within Labour say her approach will modernise the curriculum, giving students the tools to navigate an increasingly digital and multicultural world.

A Divided Reaction Across the Education Sector

While teaching unions and progressive educators have praised the reforms, conservatives and traditionalists remain sceptical.

They see the changes as a rollback of the rigorous standards championed during the Conservative years.

The full details of the new curriculum are expected to be released for public consultation soon, ahead of a national rollout in September 2028.

Whether the changes represent a bold step forward or a risky experiment in social engineering remains a matter of fierce debate.