Independent Reviews

Independent review of the national curriculum and assessment system in England examining whether they support high and rising standards. Published final report with 29 recommendations in March 2025.

Independent review of children's social care in England. Found the system was reactive and bureaucratic, failing to provide the loving and stable relationships children need.

Independent review of post-18 education and funding in England examining the balance between higher education and further education, tuition fees, and student finance.

Independent review of school exclusion in England. Found certain groups of children disproportionately affected by exclusion and that too many schools were using off-rolling to improve their results.

Independent panel report advising ministers on improving the quality of technical education for 16-18 year-olds in England. Proposed a coherent system of 15 technical routes, a single body to oversee standards, and a clear progression pathway from school to skilled employment.

Independent review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood. Made 14 recommendations for protecting children from inappropriate content and marketing.

Independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), recommending a slimmed-down framework focused on learning and development, reducing bureaucracy and strengthening the prime areas of learning.

Independent review of vocational education for young people aged 14–19 in England, recommending wholesale reform of the qualifications system and how schools and colleges deliver vocational education.

Independent review of music education in England examining provision and quality in schools. Made 36 recommendations for a new national music education plan including a network of Music Education Hubs.

Independent review of the future purpose and role of further education colleges in England, placing employability and skills as the sector's core purpose. Made 81 recommendations covering college mission, quality and self-regulation.

Independent review of the supply of scientists and engineers commissioned by HM Treasury. Made 37 recommendations covering school and university STEM education, teacher recruitment, and researcher pay and career development.

Report of the Advisory Group on Citizenship recommending the introduction of citizenship education as a statutory National Curriculum subject in England for pupils aged 11-16.

Major independent inquiry into higher education in the UK, commissioned jointly by the government and opposition. Published July 1997 with 93 recommendations covering funding, quality, expansion and student support.

Comprehensive independent review of qualifications for 16-19 year olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Made 198 recommendations covering A levels, GNVQs, NVQs and a proposed overarching national qualifications framework.