Government announces school reforms aimed at helping white working-class children succeed

New education reforms aim to tackle disengagement among white working-class pupils and give children a better start at secondary school.

A group of secondary school students walk together across a school campus, captured from behind. The image highlights friendship, movement, and everyday student life, reflecting a modern, active school environment.

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Published: November 9, 2026 at 12:19 PM

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The government is planning a major shake-up of the first three years of secondary school, with new measures designed to stop pupils being rushed into GCSE preparation before they are ready.

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Under plans for a new National Curriculum, Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) will be restored as a distinct three-year phase, giving children more time to develop their knowledge, explore different subjects and build stronger foundations before beginning GCSE courses.

The move comes amid growing concerns about school disengagement, persistent absence and the educational disadvantage experienced by white working-class children.

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Why is the government changing the first three years of secondary school?

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said too many children are switching off from school during their early teenage years, affecting their attendance, attainment and future opportunities.

Research by Public First Global for the International Baccalaureate found that more than half of teachers say GCSE courses are already dominating the first three years of secondary school, despite GCSE content not being intended to begin until Year 10. Some schools are reportedly starting GCSE teaching as early as Year 7.

The government says this early focus on exams can leave pupils with a narrower curriculum and mean they are rushed through subjects before properly understanding the fundamentals.

Under the new curriculum, schools will be expected to stop routinely starting GCSE specifications early for large groups of pupils or narrowing their subject choices and entering them for exams ahead of schedule. Teachers will retain flexibility to stretch high-achieving pupils who are ready to progress further.

The early years of secondary school should be a time when children are excited to go to school and engage in the specialist and much broader teaching on offer, and where they find their passion and develop a love of learning.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell

"Instead, we’ve seen worrying trends of disengagement and high levels of persistent absence, with the disadvantage gap stubbornly large and too many leaving school without the knowledge and skills they need to thrive," Powell says. "That’s what our exciting and engaging new National Curriculum aims to address as part of our wider education reforms."

White working-class pupils particularly affected by disengagement

The changes follow findings from the Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, which highlighted significant challenges for children from white working-class backgrounds.

Its first report, published in June, found that the 1.25 million white British pupils in England who receive free school meals experience some of the weakest educational outcomes across all stages of the school system.

The inquiry also identified the transition into secondary school and the Key Stage 3 years as particularly important points when children can become disengaged.

The government says the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent almost doubles between Year 7 and Year 9, reaching one in four children. For white working-class children, persistent absence rates are 75% higher in secondary school than in primary school.

Persistent absence is also one of the strongest predictors of a young person becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Sir Hamid Patel, co-chair of the Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes and chief executive of Star Academies, said the research had revealed significant problems during Key Stage 3.

It is a time when a love of learning should be developed and when young people should experience a broad and balanced curriculum that exposes them to new ideas and new experiences - but instead too many white working class children are switching off and opting out.

Sir Hamid Patel, co-chair of the Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes and chief executive of Star Academies

"Throughout our research for the Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, we found huge challenges in KS3," he says. "It is to be welcomed that the government is showing real commitment to renewing this important phase."

What will the new National Curriculum mean for pupils?

The new National Curriculum, due to be published in full later this year, will see overcrowded subject content slimmed down and better organised across all stages of education.

The aim is to give pupils more time to develop a deeper understanding of what they are learning, while making room for a broader range of experiences.

There will be greater emphasis on core skills, including:

The government also wants to make subjects such as drama, PE, music and modern foreign languages more engaging, helping children discover new interests and develop their confidence.

A new enrichment framework will encourage schools to create more opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, including practical experiments, debates and other activities that bring subjects to life.

When will the new school curriculum be introduced?

The government says the new National Curriculum will be published in full later this year, with the renewed focus on Key Stage 3 forming part of its wider education reforms.

The changes are also intended to tackle the rising number of young people who are not in education, employment or training.

With nearly one million young people currently classed as NEET, ministers are under pressure to improve the routes available to teenagers as they move towards further education, training and employment.

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The government hopes that giving pupils a broader, more engaging experience during their early secondary years will help more children stay interested in learning and leave school with the skills they need for the future.

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Serafina KennyDigital Journalist

Serafina Kenny is a Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes news and features and has expertise in health, nutrition, relationships, and history. She has previously written for Business Insider, Women's Health, Stylist, Men's Health US, The i Paper, Dazed, and more. You can contact her with tips and story ideas (or compliments!) at serafina.kenny@immediate.co.uk.

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