Configuring Programme Academic Settings (Subjects, Levels, Standards & Unit Templates)

The Faria Team
  • Updated

Configuring Subjects, Standards, and Unit Planner Templates in ManageBac+

Learn how to configure subjects, curriculum standards, and unit planner templates to support your school's curriculum planning workflow in ManageBac+.

Administrators can configure programme-specific subjects, curriculum standards, and unit planner templates to ensure teachers have the correct framework for planning and assessment.

This guide covers subject configuration across IB and non-IB programmes, importing subjects, configuring Scope & Sequence standards, and customising unit planner templates.

 

Overview

ManageBac+ allows administrators to customise curriculum settings based on the programmes offered by their school.

From the curriculum settings area, administrators can:

  • Enable and organise subjects.
  • Create custom subjects and subject groups.
  • Configure programme-specific options, levels, strands, and phases.
  • Import subjects in bulk.
  • Add and customise unit planner templates.

What's Available

  • IB PYP subject strands and phases.
  • IB MYP subject levels.
  • IB DP subject options, levels, and languages.
  • Curriculum First (non-IB) subject configuration.
  • Scope & Sequence standards configuration.
  • Custom unit planner templates.

Step-by-Step Navigation

Configure Subjects

Settings > Select Programme > Subjects

  1. Enable the subjects your school offers.
  2. Create subject groups to organise related subjects via Add Subject Group.
  3. Select Add Subject to create customised subjects.
  4. Select Save Changes to confirm updates.
Screenshot: Select Save Changes to confirm updates

Only enabled subjects can be used when creating classes in ManageBac+.

 

Configure IB PYP Subject Strands

Settings > IB Primary Years > Subjects

  1. Select Edit for the relevant subject.
  2. Select whether strands are organised by phases or year levels.
  3. Configure subject strands by renaming them.
  4. Enable the relevant phases or year levels.
  5. Add new strands for your subject via Add Strand.
Screenshot: Add new strands for your subject via Add Strand
Screenshot: Add new strands for your subject via Add Strand

 

Configure IB MYP Subject Levels

Settings > Middle Years > Subjects > Options & Levels

Once you have enabled the IB MYP subjects offereing, you can configure the available phases for each subject via Settings > Middle Years > Subjects > Options & Levels.

Screenshot: Once you have enabled the IB MYP subjects offereing, you can configure the available phases for each subject

 

Configure IB DP Subject Options & Levels

Settings > IB Diploma > Subjects > Options & Levels

  1. Configure subject options, such as ab initio or core options.
  2. Set subject levels, such as SL or HL.
  3. Configure subject languages if your school offers the IB Diploma in multiple working languages.
Screenshot: Configure subject languages if your school offers the IB Diploma in multiple working languages

Enable Extended Essay subjects where applicable via Extended Essay Subjects.

Screenshot: Enable Extended Essay subjects where applicable via Extended Essay Subjects

 

Configure Non-IB Curriculum Subjects

Settings > Select Programme > Subjects

To add new subjects for the following Programmes:

  • Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs, BTEC and International Advanced Levels
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE and Advanced
  • International Middle Years Curriculum and International Primary Curriculum
  • Advanced Placement

Navigate to Settings > Select your programme (e.g. Advanced Placement) > Subjects. 

On this page, you can enable subjects and add any additional/customised subjects that your school offers. Add Subject enables you to add any customised subjects you wish.

Screenshot: On this page, you can enable subjects and add any additional/customised subjects that your school offers

Via Add New Subject, select the subject group and add subject name. Click on Add Subject to add.

Screenshot: Via Add New Subject, select the subject group and add subject name

For any added subjects, you can click on Edit to make updates.

Screenshot: For any added subjects, you can click on Edit to make updates

 

Import Subjects in Bulk

Settings > Select Programme > Subjects > Import Subjects

  1. Download the CSV template.
  2. Add subjects using the required format.
  3. Ensure Subject Group and Subject Name fields are completed.
  4. Upload the completed file.
Screenshot: Upload the completed file
Screenshot: Upload the completed file

To add new subjects for the following Programmes:

  • High School
  • Middle School
  • Primary School

Navigate to Settings > Select your programme > Subjects. You can choose to Add Subject, Add Subject Group, or Import Subjects. 

Screenshot: Navigate to Settings > Select your programme > Subjects

You will need to add a new Subject Group firstly if no subject group has been added yet. 

When adding new subjects, select the Subject Group that you added and then enter the Subject Name. Click Add Subject to save the change. 

Screenshot: When adding new subjects, select the Subject Group that you added and then enter the Subject Name

Via Options & Levels, you can specify the options (e.g. Core) and levels (e.g. Extended) for your subjects.

Screenshot: Via Options & Levels, you can specify the options (e.g

 

Configure Curriculum Standards

Settings > select programme > Curriculum > Standards

Curriculum standards available for unit planning are configured via Settings > select programme > Curriculum > Standards. 

Administrators can add Standards from our Standards library via the Add From Repository. Standards added from repository will show under Regular Standards.

Screenshot: Administrators can add Standards from our Standards library via the Add From Repository

Click here to learn more about adding standards from the standards library. 

 

Configure Scope & Sequence Standards

Settings > Primary Years > Curriculum > Standards > Scope & Sequence

Check your school's Scope & Sequence via Settings > Primary Years > Curriculum > Standards > Scope & Sequence.

Screenshot: Check your school's Scope & Sequence via Settings > Primary Years > Curriculum > Standards > Scope & Sequence

Via Scope & Sequence, you can click on the subject, grade level/ phases and strand to check the Overall Expectations, Conceptual Understandings and Learning Outcomes.

Screenshot: Via Scope & Sequence, you can click on the subject, grade level/ phases and strand to check the Overall

The data can also be exported to excel by clicking on Export to Excel on the right.

The standards from your Scope & Sequence Settings appear in your unit planners. Click here to learn more about how standards flow from your PYP Settings to the Unit Planners.

 

Add Unit Planner Templates

Settings > select programme > Curriculum > Unit Planner Templates

  1. Select Add New Template.
  2. Enter a template title.
  3. Select Create Template.
Screenshot: Add Unit Planner Templates: Select Create Template
Screenshot: Add Unit Planner Templates: Select Create Template

For IB PYP, via Add Unit Planner Template, under the Template dropdown menu, select Early Years. 

This will populate the unit plan template with the Early Years specific Approaches to Learning options when teachers are writing their units. 

 

Customise Unit Planner Templates

Settings > select programme > Curriculum > Unit Planner Templates 

  1. Select the template which you would like to edit from the dropdown menu.
  2. Enable or disable sections by checking or unchecking the sections.
  3. Customise section titles and hints to match your school's terminology.
  4. Configure Reflections settings if required.
  5. Click on Save Changes to apply the changes.
Screenshot: Click on Save Changes to apply the changes

 

Tips & Best Practices

  • Review subjects and curriculum settings before creating classes.
  • Use subject groups to keep curriculum organisation consistent.
  • Customise unit planner templates to match your school's planning process.
  • Review imported CSV files carefully before uploading.

Warnings & Important Notes

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add custom subjects?

Yes. Administrators can create custom subjects and organise them under subject groups.

Why can’t I create a class in a subject?

Only subjects enabled in your programme settings can be used when creating classes.

Can unit planner templates be customised?

Yes. Administrators can enable or disable sections and customise labels and guidance text.

In Summary

  • ManageBac+ curriculum settings allow schools to configure subjects and standards.
  • Administrators can customise unit planner templates to support teaching workflows.
  • Accurate configuration ensures teachers have the correct tools for planning and assessment.

Use ManageBac+ to create a consistent curriculum planning experience across your school.

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