'Long Overdue': Kids Will Be Taught To Manage Money And Spot Fake News In School Reforms

Children in primary school will learn how to spot fake news, identify misinformation and manage money, as part of a major shake-up to the national curriculum. The government has shared a range of reforms that will “breathe new life” into the school curriculum – including encouraging critical thinking from a young age.Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the “landmark reforms” will help young people “step boldly into the future”.Here’s what parents need to know.Changes being made to the curriculum for primary school pupilsIt’s been over a decade since the national curriculum was updated.Under new plans, citizenship will be made compulsory in primary school, so young children will be educated on topics like media literacy, managing money, law and rights, democracy and government, and climate education.The government also plans to introduce a strengthening of writing assessment in year 6 to spot pupils who need extra support.A new oracy framework will also be shared to help more young people become confident and effective speakers.How will the curriculum changes impact secondary school-age students?The government said “too many” pupils are leaving school without passing their GCSE in English – so it will introduce a new statutory reading test in year 8.Arts GCSEs will also be given equal status to humanities and languages, recognising their value in boosting confidence and broadening skills for a competitive job market. Schools will also be expected to work towards offering triple science GCSE (earning separate GCSES in biology, chemistry and physics) as standard.The computer science GCSE will also be replaced with a broader, future-facing computing GCSE. The government is also exploring a new qualification in data science and AI for 16- to 18-year-olds. Evidence shows that increased participation in extra-curricular activities is associated with higher academic outcomes. So, for all ages, a new core enrichment entitlement will offer pupils access to civic engagement, arts and culture, nature and adventure, sport, and life skills.Parents feel largely positive about the curriculum reformsSam Hoyle, director of Harmony Accounting, has two children aged four and five. She told HuffPost UK the introduction of financial education at a younger age is “definitely a positive step forward”.That said, she believes “we still have a long way to go when it comes to truly preparing young people for financial independence”.She suggested schools should teach real-world financial literacy like “how to read a payslip, why pensions are so important, how to set up a savings plan, how credit works, and how to avoid debt traps”.The focus on oracy and writing “is really valuable”, she added, as is teaching children to question information sources. “In a world where misinformation spreads quickly online, it’s crucial that young people learn how to think critically and check facts for themselves,” she continued. “That skill set is just as important as reading, writing, or maths and it’s what helps them make sense of the world around them.”Dr Sasha Hall is a senior education and child psychologist, who also has two children under five. She welcomes the curriculum reforms and noted the commitment to developing pupils’ ability to recognise misinformation and evaluate news sources is “particularly important”.“In an increasingly digital world, children encounter a large volume of information, and research shows that many young people struggle to distinguish fact from fiction,” she noted.“Embedding media literacy across the curriculum will help pupils become confident, discerning learners and informed future citizens.”But some parents are worried about how teachers will be supported to deliver this. Emily Keogh, founder of Palm PR, who has a 10-year-old son, said the inclusion of digital literacy, financial education and lessons on misinformation “feels long overdue” as they are skills “this digital native generation will genuinely need”.“My only concern is execution: teachers need proper support, time and funding to deliver such ambitious reform,” she said.“Without that, we do risk adding pressure without improving outcomes. But if implemented well, this could be a pivotal shift. Ultimately, one that helps shape a generation ready not just for exams, but for life.”Other parents have warned it shouldn’t just be down to education staff to impart these important life lessons.Natalie Bel, co-founder of Evergreen Exploring and mum to four children aged five, seven, nine and 11, said: “As parents we are responsible for supporting teachers and schools, and I wouldn’t want them to be judged on this area of teaching or have parents feel that they shouldn’t tackle these issues at home as we are all responsible for how our children develop in this area.”She noted that parents should “educate ourselves better on the fast and ever-changing world that our children are growing up in so that we can support the teachers and ultimately our children better”.When will these changes happen?The new curriculum will be implemented in full from September 2028. The government said it aims to publish the final revised national curriculum by spring 2027 – giving schools four terms to prepare for the changes. Related...Are School Non-Uniform Days Getting A Bit Much?!I'm An ADHD Coach – Parents Should Ask Schools These 3 Crucial Questions2 Million Children Are Unhappy At School – This Is Why

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