Curriculum Changes 2028: Why Communication Skills Matter More Than Ever
The UK government has announced a major update to the national curriculum, the first in more than ten years. From September 2028, schools across England will introduce new priorities that focus on oracy, digital literacy and practical life skills.
For educators, this marks a shift towards teaching the abilities that support every subject: confidence, critical thinking and communication. For businesses and creative industries, it is a sign that the next generation will be better equipped to express themselves with clarity and purpose.
What’s Changing
The Department for Education has outlined several key updates:
Pupils will learn how to spot fake news and explore the fundamentals of money at primary level.
The Computing GCSE will be updated to reflect modern digital skills.
All schools will be required to offer triple science at GCSE.
A new reading test will be introduced in Year 8, with a strengthened Year 6 writing test.
A national oracy framework will help pupils become more confident speakers.
The overall volume of exams taken at age 16 will reduce by 10%.
While some of these changes focus on subject content, others reflect a growing understanding that strong communication skills are essential for learning and for life.
Why Communication Skills Matter
Every subject, from English to Science, depends on a student’s ability to think, speak and write clearly. Yet for many young people, public speaking and self-expression still feel daunting. The introduction of a national oracy framework recognises this challenge and aims to make communication confidence a consistent part of education.
When students learn to express ideas clearly, they perform better in class discussions, group projects and exams. More importantly, they take those skills with them into adulthood, where they support interviews, teamwork and everyday interactions.
How Bailey&Reilly’s Schools+ Programme Supports the New Curriculum
The Schools+ workshops were designed with these same skills in mind. Each session helps young people build clarity, confidence and creativity. Students learn how to tell their stories, present ideas and understand how digital media shapes what they see and believe.
Our sessions already support many of the areas now highlighted in the 2028 curriculum reforms:
Oracy and presentation – developing confident speakers who can structure their ideas and communicate clearly.
Digital awareness – exploring online communication, misinformation and media bias.
Career readiness – practising interview skills, teamwork and professional communication.
For schools, this provides practical support for PSHE, English and Careers outcomes in a way that engages and empowers students.
Looking Ahead
These curriculum changes highlight the importance of communication in education. As schools prepare for 2028, there is a valuable opportunity to make space for creativity, critical thinking and confidence in every classroom.
Bailey&Reilly will continue to support this vision through the Schools+ programme, helping students find their voice, think critically and communicate with purpose.
