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Getting enough teachers for potential new qualifications in AI could be a challenge, experts warn Government Unveiled his planned reforms to the school curriculum.
As part of its response to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government has said it will explore developing a new qualification in data science and AI at Level 3.
experts Has welcomed the potential new qualification, but warned there may be problems in having enough specialist teachers to deliver it.
Miles McGinley, managing director of Cambridge OCR, said: “A new qualification focusing on AI and data science could provide real opportunities for young people, and also reflects the demand from employers for better skills in these areas.
“One of the main challenges here will be capacity, particularly around the supply of specialist teachers and examiners.
“We know that a shortage of appropriately qualified teachers is already impacting access to computer science.”
Along with the potential new qualification, the government said the refreshed curriculum would teach AI literacy, and it would replace the current computer science gcse With pervasive computing.
John Andrews, head of analysis and director of school systems and performance at the Education Policy Institute, also warned that if the government wants to introduce AI qualifications it will “need to make sure it has a teaching workforce that is skilled and confident enough to teach that content”.
He added: “This is part of a wider challenge in the use of AI in education. While schools are working hard to get a grip on the tools they use in both administration and teaching and learning, evidence of effectiveness is currently limited.”
In the latest published figures for trainee teacher recruitment in 2024/25, only 37% of the government’s target for computer science teachers had been recruited.
however, National Foundation for Educational Research make predictions DfE Will achieve 79% of its target for 2025/26.
The Government will also strengthen financial education, including making citizenship compulsory for primary-age pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2, to introduce it at an earlier age.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, welcomed the focus on financial education, but added that it would require resources for schools and teacher training.
The government responded to the review saying that concepts such as calculating interest would be introduced in mathematics first.
James Nicholson, interim chief executive of Academy Trust GLF Schools, welcomed the proposals for more opportunities for students to study AI and finance to help them progress into future careers.
The final report of the review launched by Labor last year also recommended the government cut the amount of testing in Key Stage 4 by 10%.
The DfE said it would work with regulator Ofqual and exam boards to reduce GCSE exam times from 2.5 to three hours for the average student, while ensuring that qualifications remain valid.
The review also recommends taking new maths and English tests during Year 8 to help teachers identify early learning gaps, compulsory citizenship in primary schools and improving Key Stage 2 testing of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
In its response, the DfE confirmed that it would accept the review’s recommendation to scrap the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure, introduced by Michael Gove, and introduce a statutory right for all GCSE pupils to study the triple science.
Professor Becky Francis, leader of the curriculum review, told reporters, “We rank second internationally in terms of the number and volume of exams at age 16 – only Singapore comes close to us”.
“So we want to try and bring it down,” she said.
“It is a very intensive and long period of time, as anyone who has been a parent of GCSE-aged pupils knows, but we do not want to trade off standards and credibility.”
“The amount of time young people spend in exams at Key Stage 4 has become excessive,” the report said.
The government aims to publish a revised national curriculum by spring 2027, which will be implemented into teaching no later than September 2028.
Citizenship will become compulsory in primary schools to ensure that all students learn financial and media literacy, learn about democracy and government, and access climate education.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “It has been more than a decade since the National Curriculum was updated, and it is more important than ever that young people are prepared to meet the challenges of today, so they can take advantage of the exciting opportunities life has to offer.”
The government launched a review of curriculum and assessment in schools and colleges just weeks after winning the general elections in July 2024.
A panel of experts considered a range of evidence, including more than 7,000 responses from the public.