Use the planner effectively by treating its output as a first draft of curriculum sequencing, not a finished scheme. This guide covers the context to supply and the progression, pacing and assessment decisions to review.
What to Provide
The year group or age phase selected in the form. The topic to plan. The number of lessons in the sequence.
What It Creates
A lesson-by-lesson topic sequence with suggested learning objectives and lesson summaries. A progression from introductory knowledge towards application, practice and review. Starting points for vocabulary, assessment and links between lessons.
Review Before Use
Compare coverage and sequencing with the relevant curriculum and existing school plans. Check that lesson demand, pacing and assessment points are realistic. Add school-specific resources, prior learning and adaptations for the actual classes.
Medium Term Topic Planner practical guide
Use the planner effectively by treating its output as a first draft of curriculum sequencing, not a finished scheme. This guide covers the context to supply and the progression, pacing and assessment decisions to review.
Who it helps
Teachers and subject leads sequencing a topic across several lessons.
Information to provide for the best results
- The year group or age phase selected in the form.
- The topic to plan.
- The number of lessons in the sequence.
What the tool creates
- A lesson-by-lesson topic sequence with suggested learning objectives and lesson summaries.
- A progression from introductory knowledge towards application, practice and review.
- Starting points for vocabulary, assessment and links between lessons.
Review before use
- Compare coverage and sequencing with the relevant curriculum and existing school plans.
- Check that lesson demand, pacing and assessment points are realistic.
- Add school-specific resources, prior learning and adaptations for the actual classes.
Practical examples
- Map a six-week geography topic into lesson themes, vocabulary and assessment opportunities.
- Draft a sequence of lessons for a history unit before subject leader review.
- Create a topic plan that includes prior knowledge, key questions and suggested outcomes.
- Build a half-term topic sequence with weekly questions, key vocabulary, outcomes and suggested assessment points.
- Draft a topic plan that links prior learning, retrieval opportunities and end-of-unit evidence.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a medium-term topic plan?
- It is a sequence-level plan that organises learning across several lessons or weeks rather than planning a single lesson in detail.
- Can it replace curriculum leadership decisions?
- No. It can create a draft structure, but staff should check sequencing, curriculum coverage and school priorities.
- What information helps the tool?
- Topic, year group, subject, length of unit, curriculum requirements and desired outcomes all improve the draft.
- Can it sequence learning across several weeks?
- Yes. Provide the unit length, topic and required outcomes so the draft can suggest a logical lesson sequence.
- Can it include vocabulary and assessment points?
- Yes. Ask for key vocabulary, retrieval opportunities and assessment evidence to be included in the topic plan.
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