Curriculum and Assessment Review

Tahir Ali Excerpts

Wednesday 5th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

I would be keen to hear the hon. Gentleman’s ideas and those of the all-party parliamentary group, and I thank him for the work he is doing in this important area. I am glad that he welcomes many of the changes we are setting out around financial education. I note what he has to say about post-16, and I will make sure that those ideas are considered.

[Tahir Ali (Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley) (Lab)]

The curriculum and assessment review found that the system has inequalities built into it especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Will the Secretary of State set out what interventions will be brought in to provide support and help for those with special educational needs and disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they are not left behind, especially during the transition from the current curriculum to the new one?

[Bridget Phillipson]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the need to ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities secure better outcomes and have better support through their education and their school life. Every child in our country deserves the best possible school experience, and that is especially true for children with SEND, many of whom do not feel that that is a reality and whose parents are really struggling. That is why, through our schools White Paper and the wider work we will be taking forward around SEND reform, we will ensure that their voices are heard through a co-creation process as we move to a better system of support—one where every child in our country can achieve and thrive.