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Our school, located in the vibrant city of Brighton and Hove, is a large and dynamic school that serves a diverse and inclusive community. Our reputation for providing a well-rounded and high-quality education attracts pupils from all corners of the city. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where every student feels valued and supported, regardless of their background. Recognising the importance of preparing our pupils not just academically, but also for the wider world, we sought out opportunities to enhance their essential life skills from an early age. This led us to the Skills Builder Accelerator program, which aligns perfectly with our educational philosophy and goals. The Skills Builder Accelerator program offers a comprehensive framework for developing the eight essential skills, and by integrating these skills into our curriculum starting from the Early Years Foundation Stage, we ensure that our pupils begin their educational journey with a strong foundation.
Overall impact
The Accelerator programme has significantly impacted teachers, students, and the wider community by embedding the Skills Builder framework into our entire curriculum and school life. The reviews with Jessica have provided invaluable ideas that we have successfully implemented, enriching our educational approach. For teachers, the programme has offered structured guidance and resources, making it easier to integrate essential skills into their lesson plans. This structured approach has increased teacher confidence and consistency in delivering skills-based education. As a result, students receive a more cohesive learning experience, consistently encountering and practising essential skills across different subjects and activities. For students, the programme has been transformative. The highlight has been our celebration/experience days/weeks, where children actively use and articulate the skills they learn in the classroom. These practical applications have helped pupils see the relevance of their skills in everyday lessons and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their development. Pupils now speak more eloquently about their progress, recognising the importance of these skills in both academic and real-life contexts. The wider community has also benefited, as the programme has strengthened the school's culture and ethos. By involving parents and community members in various activities, such as Careers Week and Science Week, we have created a more connected and supportive environment for our pupils. The community now has a better understanding of the skills being taught and their importance, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in nurturing these essential skills. Overall, the Accelerator programme has been a catalyst for positive change, enhancing the educational experience for all stakeholders and helping to prepare our students more effectively for future success.
Keep it simple
We have embedded essential skills within our teaching policies and curriculum plans, making the language of these skills a core part of everyday school life. This consistent use of the Universal Framework language is evident in assemblies, staff meetings, parent meetings, and other events. To build awareness and support the use of essential skills, we implement weekly discrete Skills Builder lessons. Teachers reference these skills in their lesson slides, making them an integral part of the learning process. Each week, teachers recognise four students who demonstrate notable use of a skill, awarding them a Skills Builder certificate. Skills are prominently displayed in every classroom and on shared displays throughout the school, serving as constant reminders of their importance. They are a regular topic in year group assemblies, staff meetings, and discussions related to student policies.
Start early, keep going
We ensure learners of all ages build essential skills through regular, planned opportunities across all year groups and classes. Skills Builder sessions start in reception, introducing the language of the skills, with discrete weekly lessons beginning in Year 1. Essential skills are integrated into other areas of learning. For example, speaking and listening are practiced in English and Reading lessons, problem-solving in Maths, and teamwork in P.E. This holistic approach allows pupils to continually develop these skills in various contexts. To track and encourage progress, we use assessment sheets to acknowledge students' achievements in these skills. Certificates are awarded in assemblies for recognition and motivation. We also report on skill development in school reports and during parents' evenings, actively involving parents in the process. This comprehensive strategy ensures that essential skills are nurtured consistently throughout each stage of education.
Measure it
All teachers regularly use formative assessment tools to prioritise and inform the teaching of these skills, allowing us to tailor instruction to meet students' needs effectively. This year, we introduced Skills Builder to our school reports, which has been well received by both parents and teachers. Including these skills in reports provides a comprehensive view of each student's development and keeps parents informed and involved. Additionally, we use the Hub Report as a baseline assessment for the entire class. This tool helps us identify which specific skills need more focus. By using short lessons and projects, we can target these areas for improvement. These insights have been helpful in guiding our teaching strategies and ensuring that our students are continually developing their essential skills. The ability to monitor progress and adjust our approach based on real-time data ensures that our educational practices remain effective and responsive to our students' needs.
Focus tightly
To give students regular opportunities to build essential skills through direct instruction, we highlight the skills we will focus on during our planning. For Year 6, we have integrated a specific project designed to enhance our curriculum, targeting skills identified through assessment as areas needing improvement. Building on previous learning, staff explicitly teach these skills in dedicated sessions, which are reflected on our timetables. These sessions are then contextually interwoven into various curriculum areas. The Skills Builder framework unifies the culture and ethos of our school, allowing us to embed our habits and values seamlessly. Through whole school assemblies and class lessons, children regularly build their essential skills.
Keep practising
All teachers provide regular opportunities for students to practice essential skills across the wider curriculum, integrating these skills into various subject areas. Our curriculum planning includes references to these opportunities, using symbols on planning documents and slides to highlight them. This ensures that essential skills are continuously reinforced in every subject. Additionally, extra-curricular activities (after school club, young engineers club, peer-tutoring, football, etc), offer further opportunities for students to develop these skills in diverse contexts. Children are praised for demonstrating essential skills, reinforcing their importance and encouraging ongoing practice. Through this comprehensive approach, we ensure that essential skills are consistently nurtured, both within the standard curriculum and beyond.
Bring it to life
We help students see how they can use essential skills in wider life through various enriching activities and real-life challenges. Trips and visits are organised throughout the school year to bring these skills to life and enrich the curriculum. Volunteering opportunities, such as being an Outdoors Play and Learning leader, a peer tutor, or a member of the school council, illustrate the practical application of these skills. Our Year 6 Challenge Day enables pupils to apply their skills to real-life projects. During our annual Careers Week, students are exposed to the skills needed for future employment through activities and guest speakers. As part of Careers Day, we held an assembly where parents discussed the skills required for their occupations, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Additionally, our Enterprise Week and Science Week focussed on specific skills, allowing children to apply them to real-life situations.
What's next
To build on the successes of the Skills Builder Programme, we plan to strengthen our connections with parents and create additional opportunities to bring these essential skills to life. We aim to continue promoting the benefits of the programme through various activities and community involvement. A key focus will be embedding the language of essential skills and teaching them cross-curricularly, ensuring that students can consistently see and apply these skills in different contexts. By doing so, we hope to help students make meaningful connections between their classroom learning and the wider world. We also plan to seek new partnerships with local businesses and organisations to provide real-life experiences that further illustrate the importance of these skills. By involving the broader community and maintaining a strong focus on cross-curricular integration, we can continue to enhance the impact of the Skills Builder Programme and prepare our students for future success.
