Free Learning Walk Template, Form and Checklist

Learning Walk Planning Checklist

Before you choose fields for the form, agree how the walk will work. A useful template starts with a small number of decisions:

• Write one clear learning question and choose no more than one or two focus themes.
• Decide which classes, phases or areas will provide a useful spread of evidence.
• Tell staff the purpose, likely timing, how evidence will be used and how feedback will be shared.
• Agree neutral sentence starters so observers record what they see and hear, not a grade.
• Plan how evidence will be compared across visits before conclusions or next steps are agreed.

What a Great Template Includes

Your template should give space to capture the who, where, what, and why:

• 🗓 Date & Time
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Observer(s)
• 🏫 Classes or year groups visited
• 🎯 Focus or theme (e.g. engagement, vocabulary, routines)
• 📝 What was seen — recorded factually and professionally
• 📊 Emerging trends — to inform feedback and next steps

Example Observation Prompts

Below are some common areas schools include. But remember — these are starting points, not a script.

Add open space for comments like:

• "In Year 6, pupils explained what success looked like without prompting."
• "Visual prompts used effectively to support independent writing."
• "In Year 9, low-level disruption addressed quickly through clear expectations."

Recording Summary Trends

At the end of each walk, observers should take a few minutes to capture:

• What's consistent?
• What surprised us?
• What strengths can we share?
• What might we want to explore further?

This is where the real value comes in — turning snapshots into school-wide insight.

Adapting the Form for Your Setting

Primary and secondary settings may need different layouts.

• Primary templates might include lesson phase, TA involvement, or phonics-specific prompts
• Secondary templates may focus on subject-specific elements, transitions, or depth of curriculum language
• SEND and specialist settings may need prompts about communication, regulation, access and individual learning goals

Change the language and examples to fit the setting, while keeping the purpose transparent, the evidence neutral and the conclusions proportionate.

Download the Template

Choose the format that best fits the job. Each resource can be adapted to your own school context.

Final Thought

A template should support thinking — not replace it.

It's a tool to help you record what you see, spot patterns, and guide improvement — without judgment.