HED4802
Assignment 4
Due 25 August 2025
, HED4802
Assignment 04 [40% of your year mark]
Chapters 4, 6, and 7
Student name:
Student number:
Module code: HED4802
Assignment number: 04
Question 1 (Chapter 4) – Curriculum Leadership in Practice
1.1 Who should provide curriculum leadership and their responsibilities (300–500
words)
In my view, curriculum leadership in the school context should primarily be the
responsibility of the Head of Department (HOD) or subject leader, supported by the
School Management Team (SMT). This is consistent with the Department of Basic
Education’s Policy on the Organisation, Roles and Responsibilities of Education
Districts (DBE, 2013), which mandates HODs to oversee curriculum delivery within their
subjects and grades. While the principal provides the overall strategic vision, it is the
HOD or subject leader who has subject-specific expertise and direct interaction with
teachers, making them best positioned to lead curriculum implementation.
Effective curriculum leadership requires visionary guidance that aligns teaching and
learning activities with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), while
also addressing the contextual realities of the school. Key responsibilities include:
• Curriculum planning and alignment: Ensuring that annual teaching plans are
followed, adapted for learner needs, and sequenced logically. This involves
mapping curriculum coverage against assessment schedules and ensuring
compliance with CAPS and school policy (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2018).
1|Page
Assignment 4
Due 25 August 2025
, HED4802
Assignment 04 [40% of your year mark]
Chapters 4, 6, and 7
Student name:
Student number:
Module code: HED4802
Assignment number: 04
Question 1 (Chapter 4) – Curriculum Leadership in Practice
1.1 Who should provide curriculum leadership and their responsibilities (300–500
words)
In my view, curriculum leadership in the school context should primarily be the
responsibility of the Head of Department (HOD) or subject leader, supported by the
School Management Team (SMT). This is consistent with the Department of Basic
Education’s Policy on the Organisation, Roles and Responsibilities of Education
Districts (DBE, 2013), which mandates HODs to oversee curriculum delivery within their
subjects and grades. While the principal provides the overall strategic vision, it is the
HOD or subject leader who has subject-specific expertise and direct interaction with
teachers, making them best positioned to lead curriculum implementation.
Effective curriculum leadership requires visionary guidance that aligns teaching and
learning activities with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), while
also addressing the contextual realities of the school. Key responsibilities include:
• Curriculum planning and alignment: Ensuring that annual teaching plans are
followed, adapted for learner needs, and sequenced logically. This involves
mapping curriculum coverage against assessment schedules and ensuring
compliance with CAPS and school policy (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2018).
1|Page
