England’s Curriculum and Assessment Review does not directly change Cambridge IGCSE or Pearson International GCSE. It covers England’s national curriculum and GCSEs. Its effects abroad come indirectly: a new national curriculum from 2028, shorter GCSE exams from 2029, and possible later changes to A Levels, which international schools teaching the English curriculum will follow.
What is the Curriculum and Assessment Review?
An independent review of England’s curriculum and exams, chaired by Professor Becky Francis. Its final report, Building a world-class curriculum for all, and the government’s response were published on 5 November 2025 (GOV.UK). The report notes that “the national curriculum is statutory for mainstream local authority maintained schools”. Neither document mentions IGCSE or International GCSE.
What did the government commit to?
A new curriculum, updated GCSEs and less exam time. From the government response:
| Commitment | Government wording | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| New national curriculum | ”Publish a revised national curriculum in 2027 for first teaching in 2028” | First teaching September 2028 |
| Updated GCSEs | ”Update GCSEs, for first teaching from 2029 onwards”; “some are ready for first teaching in 2029 and the rest for first teaching in 2030” | First teaching 2029 and 2030 |
| Less exam time | ”Reducing the amount of time pupils spend in GCSE exams by 2.5-3 hours on average” | With the new GCSEs |
| AS and A Levels | ”Update corresponding AS and A levels to be ready for first teaching in 2031 and 2032”; “no plans to substantially reform A levels” | 2031–2032 |
| EBacc | ”Remove EBacc headline and additional measures at key stage 4”, from 2025–26 performance measures | Published autumn 2026 |
| Year 8 assessment | ”A new statutory national assessment of reading fluency and comprehension in Year 8” | To be introduced |
| 16–19 pathways | ”A simple framework of A levels, T Levels and V Levels at level 3” | To be introduced |
What did the review recommend on assessment?
Less exam time, no more coursework, and at least two components. The final report recommends that the government “works with Ofqual, seeking to reduce overall exam time by at least 10%”. It says “there should not be any expansion of written coursework”, citing “the risks posed by generative AI to non-exam assessment”. It recommends “at least two assessment components remain for each subject”, so one exam day does not determine a whole grade. On-screen assessment “may deliver some benefits”, the government said, but evidence “is still in its early stages”.
Does it affect IGCSE and International GCSE?
Not directly. Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson International GCSE are international qualifications, set by the boards, not England’s national curriculum. Cambridge already states that IGCSEs are not in UK performance tables: “neither the 9–1 nor the A*–G versions of the syllabuses will be included in UK performance tables” (Cambridge). So EBacc and Progress 8 changes do not bite. We found no formal Cambridge or Pearson statement on the review’s effect on their international qualifications.
Indirect effects are likely, in our view:
| Area | Why international schools may feel it |
|---|---|
| Schools teaching England’s curriculum abroad | British schools following the national curriculum to Year 9 will adapt to the 2028 curriculum |
| Schools offering UK GCSEs | New GCSEs from 2029–2030, with shorter exams |
| A Level sixth forms | Updated AS and A Levels from 2031–2032, though not a major reform |
| Recruitment | Teachers trained in England will arrive with the new curriculum and assessment |
| Board design | Cambridge and Pearson may reflect England’s direction, e.g. on exam volume and coursework, but have not said so |
What do international school leaders think?
Mostly supportive, with doubts. In Tes, Cambridge’s group managing director, Rod Smith, described the focus on financial literacy as “very welcome”. COBIS chief executive Colin Bell said: “The 10 per cent reduction in exam time is welcome. But is it enough? … It needs to be broader than that” (Tes, 11 November 2025).
IGCSE vs GCSE: what changes in the comparison?
The two may drift further apart. England’s GCSEs will change content and shorten exams from 2029. Cambridge is already revising its own syllabuses on its own timetable, with 57 revised syllabuses for 2027–2029 and digital exams. The two may diverge more. Schools that teach both, or that recruit students from UK schools, should map the new GCSE content against their IGCSE syllabuses as it is published. See Cambridge Syllabus Changes 2027-2029 and Cambridge vs Edexcel for schools.
What should international school leaders watch?
- The revised national curriculum in 2027, if your school follows it in primary or lower secondary.
- New GCSE subject content, as it is published ahead of first teaching in 2029, if you offer UK GCSEs or admit UK students.
- A Level updates for 2031–2032, for sixth-form planning.
- Cambridge and Pearson syllabus announcements, which set what actually changes for IGCSE.
- The coursework position. The review’s caution on written coursework reflects AI risks your own policy should address. See AI policy for international schools.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
Whatever England decides, international schools need practice aligned to the syllabus codes they actually enter. AI Buddy provides past-paper-style questions for Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and A Level, with topic data by class. As boards revise syllabuses, departments can see which topics their students need.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Curriculum and Assessment Review affect IGCSE?
Not directly. It covers England’s national curriculum and GCSEs. Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson International GCSE are set by the boards, and neither document mentions them.
When do the new GCSEs start?
The government plans to update GCSEs for first teaching from 2029, with some subjects in 2029 and the rest in 2030.
Will GCSE exams be shorter?
Yes. The government plans to reduce time in GCSE exams by 2.5 to 3 hours on average. The review had recommended a cut of at least 10%.
Are A Levels changing?
The government has “no plans to substantially reform A levels”, but will update them for first teaching in 2031 and 2032.
Discover how AI Buddy helps schools strengthen teaching, learning and evidence-informed school improvement. Or start a short consultation with our schools team using the form below — we will get back to you directly.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Curriculum and Assessment Review: final report and government response (5 November 2025)
- Cambridge International, Grading choice for Cambridge IGCSE
- Tes, Curriculum and assessment review: what the world thinks (11 November 2025)