Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of broaden the (a) national curriculum and (b) qualification pathway at Key Stage 4 to place greater emphasis on (i) vocational and (ii) technical skills.

The department is considering the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review in line with the government’s ambition to transform technical education from age 14 to 16. We will widen opportunity for all young people and create clear pathways into further study, training and high-quality careers where they live, while ensuring the curriculum delivers high standards, maintaining the importance of both knowledge and skills. There will be a public consultation on proposals for the national curriculum in due course.