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Greswold Primary school is a larger than average (3 form entry) primary school which provides education for pupils aged 3-11. The school completed its planned 7-year expansion from 2 form to 3 form entry in September 2021. Greswold became involved with Skills Builder a few years ago recognising the need for a curriculum, but also for essential and transferrable life skills. We see education as a life long journey, not just their time in school.
Overall impact
We have used the resources available to support staff professional development. Subject leaders for science, computing, art, design technology, geography, history, RE and languages have had 1:1 training and coaching with a Skills Builder associate. All participants have reported how useful this was in terms of their own knowledge, but also the development of our subjects.
Keep it simple
Skills Builder has been embedded across Greswold for a number of years now. As part of our 'learning environment checklist' all classrooms and generic spaces are expected to display the Skills Builder icons and teachers will regularly refer to these as part of their day-to-day practice. We share information about Skills Builder with parents/carers through our website, meet the teacher evenings and curriculum information. As part of our collective worship programme, we focus on key skills on a half termly basis linking to our values of BRICKS (Belonging, Respect, Independence, Curiosity, Kindness and Success).
Start early, keep going
A key focus for us this year has been the links between Skills Builder and our curriculum. The Skills Builder Lead is also the Curriculum Lead for the whole school, this link has enabled subject leaders to be directed to identify how Skills Builder links to their subject areas. Subject Leaders through long and medium term planning have clearly identified where the universal skills link to the many different units of study at Greswold. Subject Leaders have had additional training internally and externally (through Skills Builder) to support this development. This curriculum planning is shared on our website, which we have directed parents/carers to.
Measure it
A key area of our assessment for learning in foundation subjects are 'Success Stories'. Each half term for each foundation subject, class teachers will identify a child as a 'success story', a case study around a particular activity/ task that the children have been successful within. As part of this the class teachers provide a commentary about how they have been successful; as part of this the class teachers identify the different essential skills they have demonstrated through this success.
Focus tightly
Class teachers and subject leaders have worked together this year to identify such opportunities for children. Through Skills Builder icons being part of our learning environment, assemblies and curriculum planning, teachers bring together these opportunities to narrate the many skills. A key area for us at the beginning of the year was to identify the difference between knowledge and skills, which was a misconception for the children. Many of our class teachers use incidental teaching opportunities and the usage of the icons on PowerPoint presentations when teaching.
Keep practising
Children at Greswold have an incredible amount of extra-curricular and enhancement opportunities. This year we have design 'The Greswold Journey', a yellow brick road of all the many activities at Greswold, both inside and outside the classroom. We have begun to identify the many different links between these activities and Skills Builder. We are also working at building links with external providers to improve their knowledge and awareness of Skills Builder.
Bring it to life
In the summer term, each year group team has identified an opportunity for team days so that year groups can work cross class, linking to a key area of the curriculum. This is something that is being planned to take place at multiple times during the 2024/25 academic year. Our induction week in September, where we outline the expectations for each year group is heavily featuring Skills Builder to support our children to be successful in all aspects of school life.
What's next
We will continue to focus on development of our curriculum in relation to Skills Builder, ensuring subject leaders and class teachers identify and explicitly teach opportunities for children to showcase such skills.
