Scheme of Work Template
Blank objectives-and-activities grid.
A Scheme of Work Template is a structured grid that links learning objectives to teaching activities, resources, and assessment opportunities across a defined teaching sequence. Unlike a lesson plan, which focuses on a single session, and unlike a yearly overview, which stays deliberately high-level, a scheme of work sits at the curriculum design layer — it is the document that translates curriculum standards into a teachable, sequenced programme for a class or year group. Department heads and curriculum leads use blank copies of this template during curriculum review weeks; individual teachers use it when building a new course from the ground up. Because every column in the grid is left blank, the template imposes structure — objectives, activities, resources, and assessment all have designated spaces — without prescribing any specific content. It is suitable for any subject, any year group, and any national curriculum framework.
Learning objectives
- Translate curriculum standards or exam specifications into a sequenced teaching programme
- Align learning objectives, activities, and assessment within a single coherent document
- Provide a shared reference point for all teachers delivering the same course
- Support new teachers or supply staff who need to understand what has been planned and why
- Produce the documentation required for curriculum audits, inspections, and accreditation reviews
- Enable year-on-year curriculum improvement through annotated review of completed grids
How to use this template
- Download and print the template, or open it digitally — the column headings are left blank for you to label.
- Label each column to match your planning needs: typically lesson number, learning objective, key content, teaching activity, resources, and assessment.
- Complete the grid row by row, one row per lesson or teaching block, working through the full sequence from the first lesson to the final assessment.
- Add cross-references in a notes column to national curriculum codes, exam board objectives, or prior learning links.
- Share the completed scheme with colleagues, add it to a departmental folder, and schedule a review at the end of the term to annotate what to change.
Classroom & home ideas
- Post a printed copy in the staffroom so all teachers of the subject can annotate it with live notes during the term.
- Use the blank objectives column as an audit tool — list your curriculum standards first, then build activities around each one to guarantee coverage.
- During INSET or department planning days, complete a shared blank scheme collaboratively before splitting into individual lesson planning.
- When onboarding a new teacher, hand them the completed scheme of work as their first orientation document so they understand the full picture from day one.
- At the end of the academic year, compare the planned scheme against what was actually taught by annotating each row — use this as the basis for next year's revised version.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
What columns should a scheme of work include?
At minimum: lesson or week number, learning objective, main content or concept, teaching activity, resources needed, and assessment method. Additional columns for differentiation, cross-curricular links, or curriculum codes are optional but common.
How long should a scheme of work be?
It depends on the course. A half-term unit might produce 6–10 rows; a full year's scheme for a secondary subject might run to 36 rows or more. The template can be extended by printing additional pages or copying the grid.
Is a scheme of work the same as a medium-term plan?
They overlap, but a scheme of work typically carries more curriculum design intent — it references standards, assessment criteria, and the rationale for sequencing. A medium-term plan is often more operational, focused on the specific lessons within a half-term.
Do I need a scheme of work for every subject I teach?
Schools and trusts vary. Many require a scheme for every subject from the lead teacher or department head. Individual classroom teachers usually work from an existing shared scheme rather than writing their own from scratch each year.
Make it your own in the Worksheet Studio
Combine this with other worksheets, duplicate it, or generate a fresh version for any grade and language — free, no sign-up.
Open the Worksheet Studio