To investigate the approach to whole school curriculum planning in your school

Aim

To investigate the approach to whole‑school curriculum planning in your school.

Evidence and reflection

Insights on this are likely to come from two main sources – documents and discussion. Begin by studying available policy statements and schemes of work – it may be sensible to do this for just one subject area. Then ask the headteacher if she or he could talk to you about how whole‑school planning has taken the form which it does and how they see it evolving. Write a concise summary of the position.

Extension

Consider what the implications of the approach to whole‑school planning are for you. How does it and will it impact on your plans for classroom teaching?

More in this chapter

• To consider the connection between school philosophy and planning
• To investigate the coherence which a planned curriculum has for children
• To explore themes linked to PSHE and Citizenship
• To consider the quality of activities in schemes of work
• To review medium-term planning for literacy, numeracy and other subjects
• To structure teaching and learning in a curriculum area
• To consider the resource implications of a planned curriculum program
• To examine the extent to which weekly plans are significant in developing curriculum
• To review the use of ICT in a series of lessons
• To review existing lesson planning
• To explore the extent to which sharing learning intentions influences feelings of engagement
• To consider the extent to which pupils are clear about the learning objectives
• To evaluate a teaching session
• To examine tasks in terms of their learning demands
• To evaluate an individual child's curricular experiences over one day
• To evaluate the stimulus and variety of tasks and activities
• To identify the aspects of the hidden curriculum in a selection of books, CDs and other resources