Frequently asked questions

What is a scheme of work?
Are schemes of work compulsory?
Do the schemes of work cover all the programmes of study in the national curriculum in all subjects?
Why are there no schemes of work for English and mathematics?
Do the schemes of work recommend resources to support each unit?
How do unit outcomes relate to the national curriculum level descriptions?
Is there guidance to show how I could link units of the schemes of work across subjects?
How can I adapt the schemes of work for my school?
How can the schemes of work support my planning?
How can I order printed copies of the schemes?

What is a scheme of work?

The schemes of work are guidelines to support medium- and long-term planning. They help schools implement the national curriculum programmes of study and teach RE.

The schemes of work are made up of units that together cover the programmes of study and non-statutory guidelines for key stages 1, 2 and 3 in all subjects except English and mathematics. The PE and citizenship schemes also cover the key stage 4 programmes of study.

Each unit sets out learning objectives (which are based on the programme of study), suggests teaching activities to meet these objectives, and defines outcomes of pupils’ learning.

The units also promote learning across the curriculum by including links to other areas such as spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, citizenship, key skills and thinking skills as well as work in other subjects.

Information is provided on using the scheme. This is in the ‘Using this scheme’ section of this website and in the teacher’s guide in the printed version.

Are schemes of work compulsory?

No, the schemes of work are not statutory. Schools may use as much or as little of the schemes as they find helpful. Teachers may wish to use them to develop or refine their own scheme of work by amending or adding materials as appropriate to meet the needs of the children in their school.

Do the schemes of work cover all the programmes of study in the national curriculum in all subjects?

There are schemes of work for science, design and technology, ICT, history, geography, art and design, music and RE for key stages 1, 2 and 3. There are schemes for PE and citizenship for key stages 1 to 4. In modern foreign languages there are schemes of work in French, Spanish and German for key stage 2 and for key stage 3. There are no schemes for English or mathematics.

There is information on how each unit relates to aspects of the programme of study. On this website, this can be found in either the ‘Using this scheme’ or ‘Sequencing the units’ sections for each scheme and in the teacher’s guide in the printed version.

Why are there no schemes of work for English and mathematics?

Guidance for teaching English and mathematics comes in a different form: national frameworks produced by DCSF. These contain teaching objectives from reception to year 9. The frameworks can be found elsewhere on the Standards website.

Do the schemes of work recommend resources to support each unit?

Each unit contains a list of resources. Most schemes also contain a section listing useful organisations and resources.

How do unit outcomes relate to the national curriculum level descriptions?

Schemes of work are deliberately pitched to ensure realistic but demanding programmes of learning. Each unit contains a set of outcomes indicating what might be achieved by pupils performing at, above and below the expectations for the unit. These expectations are linked to the national standards set out in the national curriculum level descriptions, which assume that the majority of pupils will attain:

level 2 by the age of 7

level 4 by the age of 9

level 5/6 by the age of 14

Expectations in the schemes for intervening years relate to corresponding expectations, eg:

Year 1 – level 1

Year 3 – level 2/3

Year 4 – level 3

Year 5 – level 3/4

Year 7 – level 4/5

Year 8 – level 5

Is there guidance to show how I could link units of the schemes of work across subjects?

Each unit has a section called ‘Where the unit fits in’, which indicates how the unit relates to other units in the scheme and in other subjects.

The ‘Combining units’ section provides guidance on linking different subjects. From summer 2003, the site will contain examples of how primary school teachers have combined existing units from different subjects.

How can I adapt the schemes of work for my school?

The schemes are not statutory and schools are free to change them in whatever way they wish to meet their pupils’ needs.

The ‘Adapting units’ section contains information on changing the units as well as examples of how primary school teachers have customised existing units.

How can the schemes of work support my planning?

Information on using the schemes for planning can be found in the ‘Planning’ section. There is also information in the ‘Using this scheme’ and ‘Sequencing the units’ sections of each scheme.

How can I order printed copies of the schemes?

These are available from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA Publications, PO Box 99, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6SN, tel: 01787 884444, fax: 01787 312950).