Effective Curriculum Change

by Gavin Kinch

When I first started creating the school timetable, the Principal told me, “You must include every supervision duty and formal meeting on each teacher’s timetable as this makes it official.” While this isn’t entirely accurate, there is some truth to it. Without a written record, expectations can become ambiguous, leaving room for misinterpretation or oversight. Whether it’s timetables, school objectives or curriculum documents, the written word transforms the intention of leadership into action by all.

Consistency through the Curriculum

The power of a well-documented curriculum in education cannot be overstated. While discussions about teaching strategies and lesson content are valuable for generating ideas and setting aspirations, they largely remain as just “discussions” until they are committed to clear and concise curriculum documents. How many meetings have you sat through discussing pedagogical intention and approaches that have resulted in close to zero actual change?  Written curricula are a powerful tool that unify educators, ensure consistency for students, and provide a clear mechanism for leadership to influence classroom practices effectively. Without this formal documentation, verbal plans are merely talk, lacking the structure and clarity necessary to translate intentions into meaningful actions.

A documented school curriculum functions as a roadmap for teachers, providing a structured framework that outlines what is to be taught and how it should be delivered. This structure fosters collaboration among educators, as it allows them to align their teaching methods, share resources, and collectively work towards common educational objectives. When educators have a shared understanding of the curriculum, it becomes easier to ensure that every student receives a consistent learning experience.

For students, this consistency is critical. A well-documented curriculum ensures that regardless of the teacher or classroom, all students have access to the same quality of education. It establishes clear expectations and learning objectives, reducing disparities in the delivery of education. High-quality curriculum documentation also helps make the learning process visible, which supports reflective planning and teaching practices.

Change Through the Curriculum

A curriculum must be dynamic, evolving alongside technological advancements, societal shifts, and workforce demands. As Syamsuar and Reflianto (2019) state, “Education and learning will not be achieved optimally if the curriculum is not relevant to the demands of the times.” I believe that most Principals agree with this and have a genuine desire to ensure that the learning in the classrooms is relevant for the students. Principals must take a proactive approach to curriculum development, ensuring it remains adaptable and forward-thinking. This involves regularly reviewing content, embedding 21st-century skills, and aligning learning experiences with the needs of both students and the broader global landscape. To do this most effectively, time and resources must be given to updating the high level curriculum by senior leaders, and not left to just a single motivated teacher who is forging ahead in their area of influence. 

In the Australian context, the combined efforts of ACARA, AITSL, and ESA [1] provide schools, teachers, parents, and students with a clear understanding of what students should learn. While there are variations from state to state, these documents provide a foundation for schools to develop flexible, future-focused curricula that meet both national standards and local needs.

Leadership Through Curriculum

Leadership plays a pivotal role in the development and implementation of curriculum documents. However, for many leaders, not getting involved in the written curriculum is a missed opportunity for real and effective change. Written curriculum documents act as a conduit for leaders to impart their vision, values, and pedagogical philosophies into everyday classroom practices. By creating a clear and well-organised curriculum, educational leaders provide teachers with a blueprint that aligns with the school’s goals and standards. Research published in School Leadership & Management [2] underscores the importance of curriculum leadership in driving school and system improvement, highlighting that effective leadership is instrumental in shaping and supporting curriculum development.

Ultimately, while verbal discussions and brainstorming sessions are valuable starting points, they lack the permanence, clarity, and direction that written curriculum documents provide. Documentation turns abstract ideas into actionable frameworks that guide teaching and learning. It ensures that educational practices are not left to chance but are instead driven by deliberate and well-considered plans. In this way, the curriculum becomes a tool of immense power, shaping the experiences of both teachers and students. In education, as in many areas of life, the written word holds a transformative power. 

Leadership Takeaways

Clear vision and organisational intent are important, but there needs to be alignment in the curriculum to effectively implement them. To strengthen curriculum leadership, Principals need to ensure they are:

Actively Engaged in Curriculum Development

Curriculum is not just an administrative task; it is the foundation of school improvement. Principals should work closely with curriculum leaders and teachers to shape content, pedagogy, and assessment.

Ensure the Curriculum Aligns with School Vision and Goals

A well-documented curriculum should reflect the values, priorities, and learning outcomes the school aims to achieve. Principals must ensure that every curriculum decision supports the school’s broader strategic direction.

Make Curriculum Development an Ongoing Process

Effective curriculum leadership requires regular review and refinement. Principals should establish structured curriculum cycles, where feedback from teachers and student outcomes inform continuous improvement.

Empower Teachers Through Clear, Structured Curriculum Plans

When teachers have well-organised, documented curriculum guidelines, they can focus on effective teaching and student learning rather than navigating uncertainty. Principals should promote collaboration and professional learning around curriculum implementation.

Leadership Through Curriculum Drives Meaningful Change

While the voice of school leadership is influential, it is through the written curriculum that real, sustainable change occurs. A well documented curriculum is more than a compliance requirement, it is a strategic tool that shapes teaching and learning.

Schools that treat the curriculum as a static document risk falling behind in an evolving educational landscape. Instead, leaders must actively engage in shaping and refining curriculum frameworks, making them adaptable to new pedagogical insights, technological advancements, and student needs.

Schools should implement structured curriculum review cycles, ensuring that updates are not left to individual teachers but are instead a coordinated effort involving leadership, teachers, and curriculum experts. By embedding curriculum refinement into the school’s ongoing professional learning culture, Principals create a system where curriculum is not only documented but actively lived out in classrooms.

By embedding themselves in the curriculum process, Principals bridge the gap between vision and classroom reality, ensuring that meaningful change happens where it matters most, in teaching and learning. 

Reference

[1] Harris, A., Jones, M., & Crick, T. (2020). Curriculum leadership: a critical contributor to school and system improvement. School Leadership & Management, 40(1), 1–4.

Gavin Kinch is the Principal of ACS (International) in Singapore. Gavin is also Vice Chair of the IB School Leadership Advisory Council and host of The Global Ed Podcast.

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