Foundation Phase Annual Teaching Plans
These are links to Department of Basic Education Annual Teaching Plan (ATP) files for Grade 3 in the Foundation Phase. Files for this grade only.
The official DBE ATP index remains labelled 2023/24. For the 2026 academic year, Circular S19 of 2025 says the 2023/2024 ATP contents remain applicable with exclusions and revised directions. Check the official index, the circular, and the Foundation Phase ATPs (DBE) hub before using a file.
For a short explanation of ATPs, see the CAPS123 ATP explainer. For Foundation Phase classroom steps, see how to use the Foundation Phase Annual Teaching Plans. CAPS subject files: DBE CAPS hub.
Term 4 in 2026: Grade 3
Term 4 of 2026 runs from Tuesday 6 October to Wednesday 9 December for learners. Teachers close on Friday 11 December. That is 10 weeks and 47 school days for learners, with no public holidays in the term (source: DBE 2026 school calendar and gov.za school calendar).
The ATP numbers weeks 1 to 10. In 2026 they fall like this:
| Term 4 week | 2026 dates (Mon to Fri) |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Tue 6 Oct to Fri 9 Oct |
| Week 2 | 12 to 16 Oct |
| Week 3 | 19 to 23 Oct |
| Week 4 | 26 to 30 Oct |
| Week 5 | 2 to 6 Nov |
| Week 6 | 9 to 13 Nov |
| Week 7 | 16 to 20 Nov |
| Week 8 | 23 to 27 Nov |
| Week 9 | 30 Nov to 4 Dec |
| Week 10 | 7 to 9 Dec (learners’ last day Wed 9 Dec) |
Exam and test dates for Grades 4 to 9 are set by your school, district or province, not by one national timetable. Check your school’s own exam timetable before you plan revision days.
Foundation Phase has no end-of-year exam. Grade 3 promotion is based on 100% school-based assessment (SBA), using the formal tasks in each subject’s ATP (Circular S33 of 2022, kept for 2026 by Circular S19 of 2025). Open your subject ATP from the tables below, find the Term 4 formal assessment tasks, and plan to finish and record them before reports close. Your school and district set the deadline for capturing marks.
For planning help, see how to use the Foundation Phase ATPs and Foundation Phase CAPS assessment: planning and recording.
Term 4 checklist for Grade 3 teachers
- ☐ List every Term 4 formal task per subject from the ATP
- ☐ Book assessment days before week 8 so there is time for catch-up
- ☐ Keep evidence (workbooks, observation sheets) for moderation
- ☐ Capture marks on SA-SAMS (CEMIS in the Western Cape) by your school’s deadline
- ☐ Plan progression meetings for learners at risk
Grade 3: Languages
Grade 3: Content Subjects
Related CAPS123 pages
- Grade 1 ATPs
- Grade 2 ATPs
- Foundation Phase ATP files on CAPS123
- What are Annual Teaching Plans?
- How to use the Foundation Phase Annual Teaching Plans
- How to use the DBE’s Annual Teaching Plans
- DBE CAPS hub
Disclaimer
ATP PDFs linked here belong to the Department of Basic Education. CAPS123 only indexes the live LinkClick files. Always verify the current plan and any Circular S19 exclusions on education.gov.za. This page is not an official DBE publication.