The condition and future of primary education in England
THE CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY REVIEW
Based at the University of Cambridge and supported by
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
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‘This readable, humane and rational report ... is one of those rare documents which one reads and then says: yes, that’s exactly how it is, that’s what is wrong with the way things are being done and, yes, that’s the way a better system ought to be run ... a report that ought to define the collective approach to primary education for a generation’
The Guardian, 21 February 2009, referring to -
THE CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY REVIEW SPECIAL REPORT ON THE CURRICULUM
The Cambridge Primary Review published its two-part special report on the primary curriculum on 20 February 2009.
Click here for the curriculum report and briefing.
What the papers said: click here for part of the extensive media coverage.
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THE ROSE REVIEW AND THE CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY REVIEW
The government’s Rose review has published its proposals on the primary curriculum: now read what the Cambridge Primary Review has to say.
In our evidence, the curriculum attracted more comment than any other issue. Our report does not tinker at the margins: it goes back to first principles, tackles deep-seated problems and offers a curriculum framework based on new aims for primary education in the 21st century. We hope that you will read the Cambridge report before responding to Rose. Having not one but two major enquiries looking at the curriculum provides an unprecedented opportunity to make real progress.
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Children ... their world ... their education
The education children receive during their primary years is crucial for both their personal development and the country as a whole. But times are changing fast. We know that we must ask whether today's education is fit for tomorrow's world. We might also ask, no less insistently, whether tomorrow's world will be fit for today's children.
Meanwhile, our primary schools have experienced two decades of reform but much remains unchanged, and there are questions to ask about the reforms themselves. What has been their impact? Is the balance of change and continuity as it should be? What is England's system of primary education trying to achieve? How well is it doing? How can it be improved?
The Cambridge Primary Review is drawing on a wide range of evidence in order to answer these and many other questions. It combines analysis of current practice with a vision for the future. It is fully independent.
England's system of primary education is publicly funded. It belongs to all of us. We invite you to participate in the first comprehensive review of English primary education for 40 years.
About Us provides more information about the Cambridge Primary Review.
This leaflet summarises the Cambridge Primary Review's remit and background.
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ON THE HOME STRAIGHT
The Review has published 31 interim reports and has held meetings with organisations and practitioners to discuss their implications. We are now preparing the final report.
Download copies of the reports, briefings and press releases to date from this page.
Read them. Join the discussion.
The interim reports provoked considerable media, public and political interest, and provided the top UK news story on several occasions.
Read media coverage of the Cambridge Primary Review interim reports here.
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Email the Cambridge Primary Review Administrator
Telephone: +44 (0)1223 767523
