How to Spot Gaps in Your Primary Curriculum Before the New Term

As the summer term draws to a close, many school leaders begin looking ahead to September. Staffing, timetables and school improvement priorities often dominate the conversation, but this is also one of the best times of year to review your curriculum.

The reality is that no curriculum is ever finished. Schools evolve, communities change and educational priorities shift. The strongest curricula are those that are reviewed regularly and refined thoughtfully over time.

Before the new term begins, it is worth taking a step back and asking a simple question:
Are there any gaps in our curriculum that need addressing?

Start with What Children Remember

One of the most revealing curriculum reviews I have ever taken part in involved speaking directly to pupils.

• What do they remember from this year?
• What have they enjoyed most?
• Which topics can they explain confidently?
• What knowledge has stayed with them?

Sometimes the answers are surprising. Children often remember the practical investigation, the debate, the project or the educational visit long after they have forgotten individual lesson objectives. This does not mean knowledge is unimportant; it means we should consider whether the curriculum is creating memorable learning experiences that help knowledge stick.

Review Progression Carefully

Another useful exercise is to look at curriculum progression across year groups.

• Does knowledge build logically?
• Are key concepts revisited and developed over time?
• Do staff have a clear understanding of what pupils should already know when they arrive in the next year group?

I have often found that curriculum gaps are not necessarily missing content. More commonly, they occur where progression is unclear, or where concepts are revisited without sufficient depth.

Look Beyond Subject Coverage

Many schools are now confident that curriculum content is mapped effectively. The next question is whether pupils have enough opportunities to apply what they learn.

For example:

• Are children regularly discussing and explaining their thinking?
• Are they solving problems and making decisions?
• Are they carrying out investigations?
• Are they creating, presenting and evaluating?
• Are they making connections between different areas of learning?

Sometimes curriculum can become heavily focused on coverage at the expense of application.

Consider Your Local Context

A curriculum review is also a good opportunity to ask whether learning reflects your school community.

• Do pupils see their local area represented?
• Are local history, geography, businesses and role models incorporated where appropriate?
• Does the curriculum help children understand both where they come from and the opportunities available to them in the future?

A strong curriculum should feel relevant as well as ambitious.

Listen to Staff

Teachers often know exactly where curriculum gaps exist.

They understand which units work particularly well, where pupils struggle and where additional resources or support may be needed. End-of-year curriculum discussions can be incredibly valuable because staff have experienced the full learning journey and can reflect on what has had the greatest impact.

In my experience, some of the best curriculum improvements have emerged from collaborative conversations rather than formal audits.

Don’t Forget Skills

When reviewing curriculum, it is easy to focus entirely on content. However, schools should also consider wider skills development.

• Are pupils given opportunities to develop communication, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration?
• Are enquiry, investigation and critical thinking woven throughout learning?

These skills often underpin success across multiple subjects and beyond school itself.

Looking Ahead

Curriculum review should not be about finding fault. It should be about identifying opportunities.

The schools that continually strengthen their curriculum are rarely those that make dramatic changes every year. More often, they are the schools that make small, thoughtful improvements based on evidence, reflection and collaboration.

Before September arrives, taking the time to identify potential gaps can help ensure your curriculum remains ambitious, meaningful and relevant for every child.

After all, the goal is not simply to cover content. It is to ensure that learning leaves a lasting impact.