The new curriculum will transform the standards of education in Britain, making it the "envy of the world", claims school reform minister Nick Gibb.

Speaking as millions of youngsters return to school this week, Mr Gibb described the reforms as being some of the most transformative in recent years.

The MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton said that pupils will benefit from a progressive, knowledge rich national curriculum that will equip them with the skills needed to thrive in modern Britain.

Known for being more challenging, the revamped curriculum is intended to symbolise high expectations and, furthermore, to boost the quality of education that children and young people receive.

Additionally, the "broad and balanced" curriculum will make sure that students acquire core knowledge across a range of key subjects "to get the best start in life".

"Our plan for education is to ensure that young people leave school with the knowledge, skills and ambition to succeed in modern Britain and to compete in the global labour market," said Mr Gibb.

"Central to that plan is our new curriculum which will not only give young people a solid grounding in the basics but also challenge them and ensure they fulfil every ounce of their potential."

He added that the government is resolute in its ambition to "eradicate" innumeracy and illiteracy.

"That is why our new English and maths programmes of study will help children master the fundamental concepts of both subjects - the best way to improve achievement for all pupils," the school reform minister concluded.

The Department for Education revealed that the new curriculum takes inspiration from equivalent systems in Hong Kong, Massachusetts, Singapore and Finland, which are known for being successful and effective.

Underpinning this commitment to quality is a focus on "getting it right" from the start, which is why a lot of effort will be concentrated on basic skills at primary schools.

Moreover, there is more of an emphasis on creativity as this curriculum is "less prescriptive". Therefore, teachers have more time to do what they do best – teach.