The original schemes of work are guidelines to support medium- and long-term planning. They help schools implement the national curriculum programmes of study and teach RE.

The schemes of work are made up of units that together cover the programmes of study and non-statutory guidelines for key stages 1, 2 and 3 in all subjects except English and mathematics. The PE and citizenship schemes also cover the key stage 4 programmes of study.

Each unit sets out learning objectives (which are based on the programme of study), suggests teaching activities to meet these objectives, and defines outcomes of pupils' learning.

The units also promote learning across the curriculum by including links to other areas such as spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, citizenship, key skills and thinking skills as well as work in other subjects.

Information is provided on using the scheme. This is in the 'Using this scheme' section of the schemes of work website on the DfES standards site and in the teacher's guide in the printed version.

Since the introduction of the subject schemes of work in 1999-2000, additional materials have been added:

• April 2003 - an updated ICT Teacher's guide for key stages 1 and 2, showing how key ideas, skills and techniques in ICT can be applied and developed in other subjects.
• March 2004 - seven new units to bring instrumental teaching into the classroom were made available for Music at key stage 2.
• June 2004 - twelve new units were made available for German and Spanish at key stage 2.