Curriculum Review: Implications for History
In 2024 the then new Labour government commissioned a full Curriculum and Assessment review (CAR) led by Becky Francis.
The Historical Association consulted our members and other key stakeholders in history education and contributed to the Review's call for evidence. You can find a summary of our response here.
The CAR issued an interim report in March 2025 and a final report in November 2025.
Central to its conclusions was a commitment to continuity and careful development rather than sweeping change:
We have therefore taken a considered approach of ‘evolution not revolution’ in our deliberations and recommendations, which has been widely welcomed. (CAR final report p.13)
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History: We recommend that the Government:
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Adjusts the History Programmes of Study to:
- Improve the understanding and application of disciplinary knowledge
- Clarify statutory and non-statutory content requirements
- Support the wider teaching of History's inherent diversity, including through the analysis of a wide range of sources and, where appropriate, local history
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(Ref: CAR final report)
So, the key message is that there's no rush and the HA is here to support you every step of the way. In this unit, you will explore the cross‑cutting curriculum themes identified by the CAR as they relate to secondary history, drawing on a range of Historical Association materials and resources to support you in addressing them in your practice. Further support for the disciplinary and substantive elements of the programmes of study will be added in later sections in due course.
This CPD module is the first in a series of materials and activities that will help keep our members informed and supported. If you’re already a member of the HA, make sure to renew your membership. If you’re not a member, join today to make sure you’re best-placed to keep up and be the first to hear about what's ahead.
