Schools should be held to account for pupils’ attainment in at least one creative or vocational subject, Labour has said, in a document setting out its education “mission”. The document, seen by Schools Week ahead of its official publication later today, sets out more details of the party’s planned curriculum and assessment review, which it said would look at accountability measures. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer this morning said would “update the 鈥榩rogress 8′ performance measure, and we will use it to get children studying a creative arts subject, or sport, until they are 16”. You can read the full mission document here. The policies will cost 拢1 billion, funded by the private school tax. Here are the new announcements this week… 1. Reform starts with Progress 8 Labour has pledged to 鈥渦pdate鈥 the Progress 8 and Attainment 8 accountability measures to hold schools to account for performance in at least one creative or vocational subject. 鈥淭his can help schools to encourage a broad curriculum for young people and recognises the value of creativity in young people鈥檚 education,鈥 says the document. It will also review the other metrics to 鈥渆nsure that these support and align with a reformed curriculum and assessment system鈥, but expects this wider review to 鈥渢ake time鈥. 2. Curriculum review 鈥榩rinciples鈥 revealed Labour鈥檚 鈥渇ull, expert-led review of curriculum and assessment鈥 will follow the following principles: An excellent foundation in core subjects of reading, writing, and maths. A broader curriculum, so that children do not miss out on subjects such as music, art, sport and drama. A curriculum that ensures young people leave school ready for work and ready for life, building the knowledge, skills and attributes young people need to thrive. This includes embedding digital, oracy and life skills in their learning. A curriculum that reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring every child is represented. An assessment system that captures the full strengths of every child and the breadth of curriculum, with the right balance of assessment methods while maintaining the important role of examinations. 3. Oracy 鈥榯hroughout school鈥 and primary cash The document sets out how speaking skills 鈥 known as oracy 鈥 can 鈥渄eepen children鈥檚 understanding, analytical skills and engagement leading to better classroom outcomes鈥. Labour said its curriculum review will 鈥渆xplore how to weave oracy into lessons throughout school鈥. The party will also 鈥渆quip every school with funding to deliver evidence-based early language interventions鈥 such as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention. 4. Ofsted 鈥榬eport cards鈥 will look at inclusion Proposals to replace Ofsted grades with report cards, outlined earlier this year, will 鈥渞eflect how well schools are supporting the attainment and inclusion of pupils eligible for free school meals and with special educational needs and disabilities鈥. This will 鈥渆nsure that everything possible is being done to break down the barriers to opportunity and close the attainment gap鈥. Labour will also 鈥渨ork with Ofsted to bring multi-academy trusts into the remit of inspection鈥. 5. Pilot of single 鈥榗hildren鈥檚 number鈥 The party warned information about children is 鈥渄isconnected鈥, with parents providing information to one professional and then having to 鈥渞epeat themselves over and over, as information is not shared with others鈥. Labour said it will 鈥渋mprove coordination between education, social care and the wider services that support families by piloting the expansion of a children鈥檚 number like the NHS number that stays with children not just for their school career but for their whole childhoods鈥. By joining-up services, Labour also hopes to improve SEND provision. The party will also 鈥渨ork to improve the inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, alongside ensuring that special schools are able to support children with the most complex needs, breaking down barriers to education鈥. 6. 鈥楽trengthening鈥 the teaching profession A series of policies aimed at boosting recruitment and retention were announced. They include a 拢2,400 retention payment for teachers who complete the two-year early career framework and reintroduction of the requirement for all teachers to have or be working towards qualified status. Labour has also pledged to 鈥渟implify鈥 teacher incentive payments into 鈥渙ne payment scale incorporating different factors such as subject and geography鈥. And the party has pledged to 鈥渞evise delivery鈥 of the early career framework. The party鈥檚 鈥渢eacher training entitlement鈥 will see it backfill roles 鈥渟o teachers at every stage of their career can be released for training鈥. 7. School improvement teams New regional school improvement teams, coordinated by civil servants and drawing on the expertise of local leaders, will encourage peer-to-peer support and share best practice. You can read more about them here…