Are subjects sequenced with intentional links across year groups?
Sounds obvious, but that may have just caused some hesitation.
My experience working with school leadership teams is that curriculum planning can sometimes end up compartmentalised which can create the feeling of being a bit disconnected.
Where would you place your current curriculum (rhetorical question)?
🔴 Reactive
Curriculum is a set of subjects delivered in isolation, with limited sequencing or contextualisation.
🟡 Evolving
Clearer sequencing and some alignment, but gaps remain in coherence, sustainability, or contextual fit. Priorities compete for attention.
🔵 Strategic & Sustainable
Curriculum is coherent, contextual, and future-proofed. Every subject builds knowledge and skills intentionally. Strategy is evidence-based, sustainable, and widely understood.
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I have always believed that you can't build sustainable school improvement until you've had a completly honest, no nonsense look at the current situation. However, most leadership teams I work with recognise themselves across more than one of these descriptors. And that's ok.
The Simpang Scan series is my new weekly way of breaking down the massive into smaller chunks. The questions will just be a starting point.
If this question struck a chord and you fancy looking at the bigger picture without waiting for more posts, access to Simpang is free (and always will be).
This is just a small snippet of a wider set of frameworks.