Curriculum implementation journey – principal

Guidance for principals 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 principal journey through the phases of syllabus implementation. Engage contains Lead and support staff to explore aspects of the new syllabus, 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 staff 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 sustainable practices and systems for effective curriculum implementation, followed by Scale to ensure sustainable practices and systems for future syllabuses. A roadmap of the principal journey through the phases of syllabus implementation. Engage contains Lead and support staff to explore aspects of the new syllabus, 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 staff 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 sustainable practices and systems for effective curriculum implementation, followed by Scale to ensure sustainable practices and systems for future syllabuses.
Image: Principal – curriculum implementation journey graphic

Engage

In the engage phase, you:

  • lead and support staff to explore aspects of the new syllabus
  • identify and plan for changes required for effective curriculum implementation.

Suggested activities

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

To access further reflective questions for the engage phase see the Leading collaboration for school improvement toolkit.

Enact

In the enact phase, you:

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

Suggested activities

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

To access further reflective questions for the engage phase see the Leading collaboration for school improvement toolkit.

Embed

In the embed phase, you strengthen and scale to ensure sustainable practices and systems.

Suggested activities

  • What has been the impact of curriculum change on student learning?
  • How has the implementation of the new syllabus led to improvements in teaching practice?
  • How are staff engaging with others to continually build their capability?
  • What are the enablers and barriers to future curriculum implementation?

To access further reflective questions for the engage phase see the Leading collaboration for school improvement toolkit.

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Topics:

  • All high schools
  • All primary schools
  • Curriculum
  • Principals
  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Curriculum and Reform
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