Stories from Accelerator: South West England

February 28, 2022

Applications for the Accelerator are now open. Find out more and apply here, and read on for some great stories from the programme...

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Our work in the South West

Over the last few years, there’s been some brilliant progress happening in schools and colleges in the South West, where we work with around 80 Primaries, Secondaries, Special Schools and Colleges.

High quality programmes that provide opportunities to boost students’ essential skills are recognised by Skills Builder Awards. Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are given to those modelling best practice in essential skills education by embedding our six principles:

In 2021, 302 schools and colleges achieved an Award across the UK. 90 of these chose to submit a Case Study. You can explore the full Case Study Showcase here, but here are just a few highlights…

Linden Primary School is a large school, situated in Gloucester City. It has embedded essential skills into school life and uses the language of Skills Builder across the school, leading it to be recognised with a Gold Award.

“The Accelerator programme has really highlighted the significance of essential life skills and how children need to be taught the skills in order to progress,” commented a Skills Leader. “It has provided the school with the focused and structured approach it needs to ensure that pupils are developing socially as well as academically. Skills Builder has provided opportunities to bring the whole school together as a community and it has been really powerful to see all of the pupils building on the skills together with enthusiasm and commitment.”

Brook Green Centre for Learning is a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) school for students aged 11-16 who have moderate learning difficulties. In 2021, it achieved a Skills Builder Silver Award.

“The Skills Builder programme provides an ideal opportunity for our students to explore and discuss these core skills, suitable for all abilities and age ranges,” said their careers team. “[It] has given teachers and students an opportunity to focus on the core skills, which has been particularly relevant during the Covid-19 restrictions. The emphasis on raising confidence, resilience and essential skills has been vital in integrating students back into their academic studies.”

Dawlish College is an 11-16 inclusive secondary school based in Devon, and uses the Skills Builder approach to focus students on their core skills and abilities. It currently holds a Skills Builder Bronze Award.

“We have always had a strong careers provision here at Dawlish College and believe in a broad and enriched curriculum for every student to develop to their full potential,” a Skills Leader told us. “Overall, seeing the essential skills being put into practice is the most rewarding highlight. When students, parents, employers and teachers are working collaboratively on one of the strands of the essential skills, it all comes to life!”

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About Accelerator

Skills Builder Accelerator is our flagship programme for schools and colleges. We work together with you to develop and implement a complete strategy for teaching essential skills in your institution, including training, support, tools, and resources, resulting in real impact for your students.

Interested? Find out more here, where you can download our prospectus. You can also check your eligibility to apply for a funded programme place here.

Programme places are limited and will be allocated in three rounds.