“If You’re Drowning in Planning, You’re Not Alone”
It was 9:47pm on a Sunday. My lesson planner was staring at me blankly from the kitchen table, my third cup of coffee had gone cold, and I’d rewritten the same literacy LO three times. Sound familiar? Between marking, emails, assemblies, and attempting to have a life, lesson planning can feel like the final straw.
Wouldn’t it be brilliant if lesson plans practically wrote themselves?
That’s the dream. And while I can’t promise a magical planning fairy (yet), I can offer you something almost as good: a set of systems, templates, and strategies that actually work in the chaos of a real classroom.
This article is your go-to guide for taking control of your planning — whether you’re a seasoned teacher in search of something smarter, or an NQT still figuring out the flow. I’m going to walk you through what makes a truly effective lesson plan, share my personal favourite templates (yes, I’m that teacher who colour codes), and show you how to save precious hours without compromising on quality.
Ready to stay organised, impress your SLT, and never wing a lesson again? Let’s do this.
What Makes a Great Lesson Plan Template?
Let’s cut through the noise. A shiny template is useless if it doesn’t work for you in real life. Here’s what every great lesson plan should include — no fluff, no filler, just the good stuff.
The Essentials:
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Learning Objectives (LOs)
Clear, curriculum-linked LOs keep you focused and ensure your lesson hits the right targets — they’re your lesson’s “North Star.” -
Success Criteria
These are gold for both you and your pupils. They give learners a roadmap, and you a ready-made assessment checklist. -
Differentiation Notes
Every class is a mixed bag. Your plan should outline how you’re adapting the task for high-flyers, those who need support, and everyone in between. -
Resource List
Ever spent 10 minutes hunting for counters while 30 kids lose focus? Yeah. Jot down what you need before you need it. -
AFL Strategies (Assessment for Learning)
Mini whiteboards? Thumbs up/down? Exit tickets? Bake in those check-ins so you know who’s got it (and who hasn’t) before the plenary. -
Timing/Structure
Chunk it out. Introduction, main input, activity, plenary — and rough timings. It’ll stop your 15-minute warm-up from devouring the whole lesson.
Bonus Features to Love:
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Editable Boxes for EAL/SEND
Keep those learners front and centre with space to note down specific scaffolds, visuals, or sentence stems. -
A Space for Reflection
Whether it flopped or flew, jot it down. “Didn’t finish the task” or “Needed more modelling” will help next week’s version run smoother.
One Template Does Not Fit All – Choose What Works for You
Here’s the truth no one tells you in teacher training: the “perfect” lesson plan template doesn’t exist. What does exist is a variety of planning formats that work for different teaching styles, subjects, and weeks. Here’s how to choose the right one for the job.
Daily Lesson Plan Templates
These are your go-to for detailed delivery, especially when teaching a new unit or if your SLT has the word “learning walk” on their lips. They give you space to map each part of the lesson in bite-size chunks — ideal for lessons with moving parts (hello, science investigations).
Weekly Overviews
Perfect for EYFS or topic-based planning, weekly overviews let you see the bigger picture. They help with sequencing, keeping cross-curricular themes on track, and planning learning journeys over several days.
Subject-Specific Templates
A generic plan can only take you so far. Literacy plans often need space for group rotations, guided reading, or SPaG breakdowns. Maths templates benefit from fluency-reasoning-problem solving sections. Don’t be afraid to tailor them to fit your subject’s quirks.
Digital vs. Printable Templates
Google Docs, Excel spreadsheets, even Canva — digital templates are flexible and easy to share. But don’t discount the humble printed plan if you prefer to scribble ideas in the moment or annotate on the fly. The best template is the one you’ll actually use.
Our Favourite (Free!) Lesson Plan Templates
Let’s cut to the chase — here are some of the best free planning templates I’ve used, tweaked, and shared over the years.
TES Resources
The treasure trove. Search "editable lesson plan template" and you’ll find simple, clean formats made by other teachers. Start there and adapt.
Google Docs
Create your own planner with dropdowns, collapsible checklists, and sharing permissions. Perfect for year group planning or parallel classes.
Canva for Education
Sleek, modern, and fully customisable. You can even colour-code sections for different learners. Bonus: it looks fab in your planning folder.
Top Tip: Don’t over-download. Pick one or two that fit your current phase or subject and stick with them for a few weeks. Let them earn their place.
Customise Like a Pro – Make It Work for Your Class
Templates are a foundation, not a cage. Here’s how to make yours smarter and more effective for the real humans in your classroom.
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KS1 vs KS2? Plan Differently.
Younger pupils need more transitions and breaks. KS2 learners might handle longer inputs but need stretch challenges. Build it into your plan. -
EAL/SEND Learners
Include boxes or tags for scaffolds, visuals, dual-language prompts or use of tech like Clicker or Widgit. If it's part of your classroom, it should be in your plan. -
Behaviour Plans
Got a learner with a support plan? Add a gentle reminder or behavioural cue to your planning — it’ll help your TA, too. -
Planning for the Unexpected
Add a “What if…” line at the end: “What if the printer’s broken?” or “What if half the class didn’t get it?” Planning these scenarios ahead of time saves you stress in the moment.
Tools That Level-Up Your Planning Game
Why do all the hard work when tech can help? Here are a few digital tools I swear by:
Google Drive
Create folders by term, topic or week. Share planning with TAs, SLT or your year group team in seconds.
Trello / Notion
Drag-and-drop lesson ideas, colour code by subject, and link in digital resources. I use Notion for long-term plans and topic overviews — it’s game-changing.
Online Resource Banks
BBC Bitesize, Oak National Academy, PlanBee — pull in tasks, LO phrasing, and ready-to-go PowerPoints. You don’t always have to start from scratch.
Autofill Magic
Set up your own weekly planner template in Word or Docs. Use autofill or dropdown menus for LO phrasing, success criteria banks, or group names.
Avoid These Common Planning Pitfalls
Let’s get honest. We’ve all been that teacher who spends more time on the plan than the actual lesson. Here’s what to watch out for:
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❌ Overplanning
That 6-page plan for a 30-minute PSHE lesson? It’s not helping you. Simpler is smarter. -
❌ Ignoring the Flow
Transitions are everything. If your plan forgets the shift from input to activity, you’ll lose your class to glue sticks and wandering pencils. -
❌ Writing for Observers, Not Yourself
A beautifully worded plan that doesn’t reflect your actual delivery is theatre, not teaching. Write plans that support you. -
✅ Focus on Clarity
Can you read your plan at 8:20am on a Monday with a headache and still know what you’re doing? If yes, you’re winning.
FINAL THOUGHTS: From One Teacher to Another…
Lesson planning is never going to be the funnest part of teaching — but it doesn’t have to drain your evenings or your soul.
Find a template that works for you, adapt it with pride, and remember that good planning is like scaffolding: strong, flexible, and designed to come down when learning stands on its own.
Take what you need, share what works, and if you’re still feeling the Sunday Scaries — grab one of my free templates and breathe a little easier this week. You’ve got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should a teacher lesson plan include?
A strong teacher lesson plan should include clear learning objectives, success criteria, differentiated strategies, assessment methods (AFL), a list of required resources, and a breakdown of timing. Including notes for SEND/EAL support and a space for post-lesson reflection is also incredibly helpful.
2. How do I save time when writing a teacher lesson plan?
Use editable templates that you can duplicate and adapt weekly. Pre-fill repeated sections like LOs, routines, or groupings. Planning in collaborative platforms like Google Docs or Notion can also help you streamline your process with your year group team.
3. Are lesson plan templates required by Ofsted?
No, Ofsted doesn’t expect to see a specific format of lesson plans. However, having a clear and structured teacher lesson plan helps you feel prepared, supports effective teaching, and demonstrates intentional planning if asked.
4. Where can I find free teacher lesson plan templates?
There are great free options available on websites like Twinkl, TES, and Oak National Academy.
5. Should I use digital or printable lesson plan templates?
It depends on your planning style. Digital templates (Google Docs, Excel, Trello) are great for collaboration and easy edits. Printable templates are ideal if you like to handwrite or keep a physical planner. Many teachers use a mix of both!
