Curriculum maps: templates and examples

Understand what curriculum maps are for and how to make sure they're useful. Download and adapt our curriculum map templates to save you the hassle of creating your own, and see examples from other schools.

Last reviewed on 6 February 2026
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 39467
Contents
  1. Ofsted doesn't require you to create curriculum maps
  2. Curriculum maps can be useful for pupils, teachers and parents/carers
  3. Make your curriculum map work for your school
  4. Download our templates 
  5. See examples from other schools
  6. Next steps 

Ofsted doesn't require you to create curriculum maps

Curriculum mapping isn't mentioned in the inspection framework or the school inspection toolkit

However, Ofsted research suggests that curriculum mapping can help:

  • Identify the extent of knowledge, skills coverage and depth in the curriculum
  • Make sure there is sufficient coverage of the subject over time

You need to demonstrate that your curriculum is:

  • High quality and ambitious for all pupils
  • Coherently planned so that pupils build knowledge and skills sequentially and cumulatively
  • Designed to give pupils the knowledge they need to take advantage of opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in later life

Curriculum maps can help you do this, but you can also demonstrate this with a list or curriculum design audit.

Read more about how Ofsted inspects curriculum and teaching.

Although you're not required to create curriculum maps, they can be beneficial when done the right way for your school