Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review will assess (a) attainment data which shows girls continue to do better than boys across all headline measures and (b) the potential causes behind this trend.

Every child and young person should be able to achieve and thrive in education, regardless of their background. As in previous years, girls continue to do better than boys across all headline measures, and although the gap has narrowed compared to 2018/19, there is more work to do in order to close it. The department is committed to addressing this challenge.

We aim to deliver these improvements and reduce gaps in outcomes through excellent teaching and leadership, a high-quality curriculum and a system which removes the barriers to learning.

The government’s ask of the Curriculum and Assessment Review can be found in its terms of reference, and its interim report confirms the key areas for further work.

The Review is looking closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve.

The Review is being informed by evidence and data in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, in addition to parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions.

The government will consider any work to be taken forward and any changes it wishes to make in areas not prioritised by the Review.