GCSE and National Curriculum Consultations Launch in September 2026; Major Changes From 2028
The Department for Education has confirmed that consultation on a reformed national curriculum and new GCSE specifications will open in September 2026. The reforms mark the first major overhaul since 2013 and will introduce mandatory citizenship, guarantee triple science, and scrap the EBacc measure.
The government has confirmed that formal consultations on a reformed national curriculum and revised GCSE framework will open in September 2026, following publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. The new curriculum will come into effect from September 2028, affecting students entering Year 9 in that year and onwards.
Key Changes Confirmed
- New national curriculum to launch in 2028 with updated programmes of study across all subjects
- Mandatory citizenship teaching at primary school level
- Triple science GCSE guaranteed to all secondary students who want it
- Scrapping of the EBacc performance measure that previously steered students toward narrow subject choices
- Strengthened writing assessment in Year 6
- Exploration of a new language qualification to complement GCSEs and A-levels
The reforms are designed to shift emphasis away from narrow exam performance toward broader, deeper learning. Early changes for summer 2026 and 2027 exams are already in place, including tweaks to GCSE English Language papers and the introduction of formula sheets in maths and science.
What This Means for Expat Families
If you have children approaching GCSEs, you should be aware that the exam structures they sit will depend on their age. Year 10 and Year 11 students sitting exams in 2026 and 2027 will face the current framework with only minor amendments. Students entering Year 9 in September 2026 or younger will sit the new-format GCSEs from 2028 onwards, which may emphasise creativity, digital literacy and vocational pathways more broadly than the current system. Once the September 2026 consultations close, schools will have clarity on exactly what will change. This is a good time to discuss subject choices and learning approaches with your child's school.
Sources
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