Curriculum implementation journey – head teacher

Guidance for head teachers implementing a new syllabus. Suggested activities, reflective questions and useful resources can be used flexibly across a range of schools for each phase of curriculum implementation.

A roadmap of the head teacher journey through the phases of syllabus implementation. Engage contains Explore aspects of the new syllabus with the faculty, followed by identify and plan for changes required for effective curriculum implementation, and reflective questions. The enact phase contains Teach assess and report. Lead and support the faculty to teach, assess and report using the new syllabus, followed by evaluate to refine practices and systems, and reflective questions. The Embed phase contains Strengthen, Lead and support the faculty to strengthen sustainable practices and systems for effective curriculum implementation, followed by Scale to ensure practices and systems for future syllabuses. A roadmap of the head teacher journey through the phases of syllabus implementation. Engage contains Explore aspects of the new syllabus with the faculty, followed by identify and plan for changes required for effective curriculum implementation, and reflective questions. The enact phase contains Teach assess and report. Lead and support the faculty to teach, assess and report using the new syllabus, followed by evaluate to refine practices and systems, and reflective questions. The Embed phase contains Strengthen, Lead and support the faculty to strengthen sustainable practices and systems for effective curriculum implementation, followed by Scale to ensure practices and systems for future syllabuses.
Image: Head teacher – curriculum implementation journey graphic

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Leading effective curriculum implementation professional learning is available for K–12 middle leaders.

Engage

In the engage phase, head teachers:

  • explore aspects of the new syllabus with their faculty
  • identify and plan for changes required for effective curriculum implementation.

Suggested activities

  • To what extent does my faculty have a deep understanding of the syllabus and the evidence underpinning the new syllabus?
  • What resources do my faculty and I need to commence syllabus implementation to meet curriculum planning, programming, assessing, and reporting requirements?
  • To what extent does the implementation plan allocate time for evaluation and reflection?

Enact

In the enact phase, head teachers:

  • lead and support their faculty to teach, assess and report using the new syllabus
  • evaluate to refine faculty practices and systems.

Suggested activities

  • How are all staff planning effective learning experiences for the full range of students?
  • What processes and structures are in place to support staff to collaboratively plan and teach the new curriculum?
  • How effective are the processes in place to support changes to assessing and reporting?
  • To what extent are parents and the school community aware of the changes to the curriculum?
  • How will the faculty evaluate the implementation of the new curriculum?

Embed

In the embed phase, head teachers lead and support their faculty to strengthen and scale to ensure sustainable practices and systems.

Suggested activities

  • What has been the impact of curriculum change on student learning?
  • In what ways are staff supported to reflect on their teaching practice?
  • What are the enablers and barriers for future curriculum implementation?

Category:

  • Head teacher
  • Teaching and learning

Topics:

  • All high schools
  • Curriculum and Reform
  • Head teacher
  • Principals and school leaders
  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Curriculum and Reform
  • Educational Standards
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