Learning Walks and the Curriculum

Why It Matters

Curriculum isn't just what's planned. It's:

• What's taught
• What's remembered
• What's built on
• What's valued in the classroom

Learning walks give leaders a chance to step into that process — to join the dots between intent, implementation, and impact.

What to Look For (Without Judgement)

When walking with curriculum in mind, you might reflect on:

• Are pupils engaging with the right knowledge, not just busy work?
• Is there evidence of progression from previous learning?
• Do the tasks and questioning reflect the ambition of the curriculum?
• Are subject-specific routines and language being used?
• Is learning sequenced — or does it feel disconnected?

The Danger of Going Surface-Level

Without training or clarity, curriculum walks can become a box-tick:

• ❌ "Are there objectives on the board?"
• ❌ "Is there a starter task?"
• ❌ "Do pupils have books?"

None of that tells you much about the depth of curriculum understanding.

Instead, focus on:

• The journey, not just the task
• The explanation, not just the worksheet
• What the pupils are saying, not just what's written

Talking to Pupils = Curriculum Gold

Some of the best curriculum insight comes from pupil voice. Try asking:

• "What did you learn in your last lesson?"
• "How does today link to what you did last week?"
• "What's been tricky in this topic?"
• "What does your teacher expect you to know by the end of the unit?"

These questions help you gauge retention, clarity, and schema building — all essential parts of curriculum impact.

Aligning with Subject Leaders

Curriculum walks are a great way to:

• Spot where planning and practice align
• Uncover subject strengths across the school
• Open dialogue with subject leads about gaps or misconceptions

If you're part of a trust, these insights also support cross-school alignment and subject network development.

Final Word

Curriculum doesn't live in documents — it lives in lessons.

Learning walks let you see whether your vision for learning is actually being lived out in classrooms.