Medium-Term Plan
Half-term blank planning grid.
A Medium-Term Plan template is a half-term planning grid that sits between the high-level yearly overview and the day-to-day lesson plan. It covers roughly five to eight weeks and maps out the sequence of lessons, learning objectives, key activities, and resources for one subject or unit during a single half-term block. Because it spans the complete teaching arc for that period, it is the most commonly requested document in lesson observations, performance reviews, and school inspections. Teachers complete the grid in planning week before the half-term begins, which frees daily planning sessions to focus on fine-tuning individual lessons rather than deciding what comes next. Subject leaders use blank copies during department planning days to ensure consistency across parallel classes. The template is subject-neutral — the same grid structure works for primary literacy, secondary science, or any subject across any key stage.
Learning objectives
- Map one full half-term of lessons before the teaching period begins
- Ensure learning objectives build progressively across a five-to-eight week sequence
- Record planned resources, key vocabulary, and differentiation strategies at a medium scale
- Produce the planning documentation most commonly required for observations and reviews
- Enable subject leaders to align parallel classes around a shared half-term sequence
How to use this template
- Download and print the template, or complete it digitally before the half-term starts.
- Enter the subject, year group, half-term dates, and unit title in the header.
- Fill in one row per week or lesson, noting the learning objective, main activity, key resources, and any assessment point.
- Add a differentiation column entry for each row — note how tasks will be adapted for different needs within the class.
- Review the completed grid before the half-term begins to confirm pacing, remove duplication, and flag any resources you need to prepare in advance.
Classroom & home ideas
- Keep a printed copy in your teacher planner and tick off each row as the lesson is completed — it doubles as a record of coverage.
- Share the medium-term plan with a teaching assistant at the start of the half-term so they understand the broader context for the support they are providing.
- During collaborative planning, photocopy one blank template per teacher and complete them side by side, then compare for consistency.
- Attach the completed plan to the end-of-half-term reflection so your notes on what worked are immediately visible when you plan the same unit next year.
- Give a simplified student-facing summary version (just lesson titles and key questions) to older students so they can pace their own revision.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
How many rows should a medium-term plan have?
Typically one row per lesson or week, depending on how detailed you work. A standard UK half-term of six weeks with five lessons per week might use a per-week row for brevity, or a per-lesson row for a more granular plan.
What is the difference between a medium-term plan and a unit plan?
They are closely related. A unit plan is organised around a thematic or conceptual unit, which may not align neatly with term boundaries. A medium-term plan is explicitly tied to a half-term calendar period — it may contain one unit or bridge the end of one unit and the start of another.
Should I include end-of-half-term assessment in the medium-term plan?
Yes. Mark the assessment lesson or task clearly in the grid — typically in the last row — so that the whole sequence is designed with the assessment in mind, not added as an afterthought.
Is this template suitable for EYFS and nursery settings?
Yes, with minor adaptation. Early years practitioners can use the rows to record continuous provision themes, key experiences, and developmental objectives for each week rather than formal lesson content.
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