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Changes that matter to English departments, from the curriculum review to exam dates, with the official documents linked.
What the Curriculum and Assessment Review said about English
The review asked for significant changes to GCSE English Language and diverse books and poems in English Literature. The government accepted six of its eight English recommendations in full. The revised curriculum is taught from September 2028.
When the new national curriculum and GCSEs arrive
The revised national curriculum is due in spring 2027 for teaching from September 2028, and the first reformed GCSEs from September 2029. The consultation that should say when GCSE English changes had not opened by 5 October 2026.
What Ofsted’s report cards changed for schools
Since November 2025 Ofsted has graded schools on a five-point scale in each evaluation area apart from safeguarding and published the grades on a report card. The toolkit was updated for September 2026, and the new education secretary has said she wants more change.
GCSE English results in 2026
Results came out on 20 August 2026. Outcomes across all subjects barely moved, a larger share of 16-year-olds reached grade 4 in English Language, and a smaller share of students resitting it after 16 did.
AQA’s question paper changes from June 2027
On 22 September 2026 AQA announced changes to the layout and question formats of its papers from the summer 2027 exams. Updated papers for classroom and mock use are due on Centre Services later in the autumn term 2026.
2026, the National Year of Reading
The Department for Education made 2026 the National Year of Reading, and the National Literacy Trust leads the campaign, Go All In. Schools join for free, and in September 2026 the DfE added money for secondary schools to buy books.
Young people’s reading enjoyment in 2026
In June 2026 the National Literacy Trust reported the first rise in reading enjoyment since 2021. The biggest gains were among 14 to 18-year-olds, though about two in three 14 to 16-year-olds still did not say they enjoyed reading.
What is changing in the EBacc and Progress 8
The DfE consulted from February to May 2026 on a new Progress 8 and is removing the EBacc measures. Its response, promised for the summer term 2026, had not appeared by 5 October 2026. In the proposals, English keeps its double-weighted slot.
AQA’s English exam dates for June 2027
AQA’s timetable puts the four English papers between 12 May and 8 June 2027, all in the morning. Results reach students on Thursday 19 August 2027.
What the DfE and JCQ say about AI in schools
The DfE leaves most decisions about generative AI to schools, within rules on safety and data. JCQ sets firm rules for work that counts towards a qualification. As of October 2026 both documents are in the editions described here.
A national Year 8 reading assessment
The DfE announced a statutory Year 8 reading assessment in October 2025 and confirmed it in November 2025 and February 2026. As of October 2026, its start date and format have not been published.
Funding for books in secondary schools
On 15 September 2026 the DfE announced 5 million pounds for secondary schools to buy books for reading enjoyment. There is no application, English class set texts and GCSE texts are excluded, and orders close on 31 March 2027.