A good scheme of work supports planning for teaching and learning at a number of levels. Firstly, it sets out the long-term view in terms of how the pupils will make progress, from the start to the end of a year or key stage. This is usually described through sets of objectives grouped into units which are given titles, for example 'Representing variables' or 'Algebra 1'. Some groups of objectives need to precede others, so these units are sequenced to form a Curriculum map and organised against the dates of the school terms to form a Teaching calendar KS3 (111 KB) and Teaching calendar KS4 (215 KB).
Each cluster of objectives forms the basis of a Unit plan to which more detail is added. The detail describes how the pupils will learn the mathematics. Unit plans usually extend across two or three weeks, sometimes longer, and are often adaptable to a range of teaching groups.
Lesson plans address the specific needs of a class and are not usually included in a scheme of work, although unit plans may occasionally include a plan for a key lesson.
As you work on your planning you will think about the different strands of mathematics. There are, however, many links between them because mathematics is not a set of isolated topics or learning objectives but an interconnected web of ideas, and the connections need to be made explicit to pupils. The document below may prompt a few reflections about your approach to planning.
Making connections in mathematics (13.44 KB)
