A good term starts on paper before the first lesson. This guide shows how to count your real teaching weeks and turn them into a scheme of work you can follow.
Start with the official calendar. Mark the opening and closing dates, mid-term break, public holidays and any school events. What is left is your real number of teaching weeks, often fewer than thirteen.
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Next, list the topics in the syllabus for your grade and learning area. Give each topic a number of weeks that matches its weight, and leave one or two buffer weeks for revision and exams.
Write one page per week. Each page holds the topic, the learning outcomes, the main activities and the resources you need. Keep it short enough that you will actually use it.
Review the plan every Friday. Move what you did not finish into next week and tell your head of department when something slips, so nobody is surprised at the end of term.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks are in a term?
Most terms have about thirteen weeks, but check the official calendar for your year.
Can I reuse last term’s scheme of work?
Yes, if you update the dates and remove topics that were already covered.
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