The year 2026 is a turning point for education policy. With the Curriculum and Assessment Review moving into implementation, attention is now shifting from planning to execution. A new national curriculum is set to launch in September 2028, and the decisions made now will determine its success.

For education leaders and executive business schools, this is not just a policy update, it is a strategic moment to drive impact, improve access, and shape future-ready learners.

1. Making Enrichment Work for Every Student

The introduction of an Enrichment Framework is a positive step. It recognises that learning is more effective when it goes beyond the classroom.

However, access remains uneven.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often face barriers such as:

Cost of participation
Limited exposure to new environments
Parental concerns
Low confidence in unfamiliar settings

For example, research shows that over a quarter of students from the lowest-income families have never taken part in school trips to natural environments. This highlights a clear access gap.

What this means for leaders:

It is not enough to create opportunities; students must be able to access them.

To make enrichment successful:

Provide financial and logistical support
Work closely with families and communities
Build student confidence over time
Partner with organisations that offer structured programmes

Enrichment should be seen as a core part of education, not an extra. It improves engagement, builds skills, and supports long-term success.

2. Strengthening Citizenship Education

Citizenship education is gaining more attention in the new curriculum. It will become a stronger and more consistent part of learning from primary through secondary school.

This is an important step.

Citizenship helps students understand:

How government and democracy work
Their rights and responsibilities
Media and information literacy
How to participate in society

Research shows that students who study citizenship are more confident, more informed, and more likely to engage in civic life.

However, there are challenges:

Not enough trained specialist teachers
Limited time in school timetables
Differences in how schools deliver the subject

What this means for leaders:

Focus must shift to delivery.

To ensure success:

Invest in teacher training and development
Allocate proper curriculum time
Provide clear guidance and resources

For executive business schools, this also creates an opportunity. Citizenship skills—such as critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leadership—are highly relevant in today’s business environment.

3. Using Religious Education to Promote Inclusion

Religious Education (RE) is often overlooked, but it plays an important role in building inclusive societies.

The Curriculum Review proposes including RE in the national curriculum. This could bring:

Greater consistency in teaching
Clearer standards and expectations
Better representation of diverse perspectives

Currently, RE varies widely across schools. This leads to unequal learning experiences and outcomes.

A stronger RE curriculum can help students:

Understand different beliefs and worldviews
Develop respect and empathy
Build critical thinking skills

What this means for leaders:

RE is not just about religion, it is about preparing students for a diverse world.

To maximise its impact:

Ensure content is modern and relevant
Focus on real-world perspectives
Support teachers with clear frameworks

For leadership and business education, these skills are essential. Cultural awareness and inclusivity are now key drivers of organisational success.

From Policy to Action

The success of the new curriculum will depend on how well it is implemented.

Leaders should focus on four key areas:

Capacity building: Train and support educators
Partnerships: Work with external organisations and communities
Equity: Remove barriers to access
Accountability: Track progress and outcomes
Conclusion

The move towards a new national curriculum is a major opportunity to improve education.

By focusing on:

Access to enrichment
Strong citizenship education
Inclusive and consistent RE

Leaders can help create a system that works for every learner.

For executive business schools and education leaders, this is the time to act by aligning strategy with policy and leading meaningful change in education.

Source: Reuters