I agree. On paper it sounds good. However if it’s going to put more pressure on teachers to get Yr 8’s test ready and provide extra curricula’s outside of their paid contact hours etc it’s really not going to help with recruitment and retention. In fact the opposite.
I think there is too much teach to test with yeh current curriculum and it’s too narrow. It basically favours those with a good memory and I don’t think of you fail gcse maths or English once having to retake and keep failing helps the already poor MH of school children.
Id like to see a complete overhaul but without it putting more pressure on teachers, adding more workload, more “free” hours of work and offering courses for pupils that help them succeed where their strengths lie.
I love the idea of critical thinking and AI etc being taught - but I am concerned about cutting budgets and adding more.
Let’s hope the plan can live up to the expectations and promises of an improved education system.