Year 7 - 11: Development of essential skills via the Skills Builder short lessons once a fortnight (except Y11); reflection of skills development and action planning to improve them once a term via the Record of Achievement process; opportunity to develop skills through joining the careers ambassador team and extra-curricular clubs; opportunity to develop skills through their PSHE careers lessons (3 a year) and via the Careers Fair and Career Insight sessions. Year 7 only: Mini interviews with an employer once a year to practise talking about their skills including how confident they feel and how they are developing them Year 9 only: Group mentoring opportunities with employers where the importance of skill development is discussed and reflected upon and tasks are set to challenge the pupils. Year 10 and Sixth Form: Opportunity to develop skills during an in-school work experience day with employers (Y10 only), during a work experience placement or virtual work experience and during a mock interview with an employer where they discuss their skill development.

Where appropriate teachers are encouraged to assess their tutor groups using the assessment tool, however feedback is that progress is noticed more within teaching classes. Therefore teachers review how pupils are progressing by awarding skills certificates to individuals. Tutors also assess their pupils’ development during the termly Record of Achievement skills reflection session so they can see how they are feeling about their skill development and helping them to set actions to develop them further. An annual survey takes place where pupils reflect on their skills development and the results aid with the recognition of where skill development focus is particularly needed. Teachers are trialling a new skills framework booklet that will act as an aid in their teaching. The Teaching Assistants in our support department have a training session planned so they can work with pupils with SEND in a more focused way to support them with their skills development further and keep track of their progress through the assessment tool.

Class teachers are also teaching skills within their lesson content and referring to the Skills Builder Framework to articulate the skill focus within the appropriate step. Teachers are embedding the skills icons into their lesson teaching materials where appropriate to link learning to skill development to help increase engagement and relevance for the pupil. Teaching Assistants and staff in support and our alternative provision areas are supporting pupils with their skill development too through provided careers resources such as mock interview preparation and careers workshops for off timetable days. TAs are soon to be trained more thoroughly on the Framework and skills assessment so they can monitor progress and teach skill strategies more frequently.

Departments are linking their curriculum areas with careers through direct skills development within lesson tasks and also through links with employers. For example, Science have built a relationship with Public Health where pupils are discovering the importance of the essential skills through direct connection with employees and they also develop their skills through designing rockets with the University of Bath rocket team. The Music Army Band came to visit our Year 7 pupils and pupils were challenged to use their communication and team work skills to learn about the instruments and interact with the army musicians. English have interacted in person with authors and encouraged pupils to take part in Calne Wordfest writing competitions, encouraging pupils to develop their skills in Creativity and Aiming High. The school’s curriculum references the skills covered by these employer interactions and the lessons use the Skills Builder icons and Framework language where appropriate. Extra-curricular activities promote the opportunity they give pupils to develop their skills further. The Power of 10 programme have integrated the framework onto their website and encourage participating pupils to understand how the activities are a great opportunity for them to develop their skills. Likewise, pupils are regularly encouraged to access our opportunities website, www.altcareers.org.uk which highlights how pupils can take part in additional activities that will support them with skills development.

We have three off timetable days a year where careers activities and opportunities are embedded to provide a spiral careers curriculum where pupils build on their skills and career development year on year. These days include activities such as CV workshops, mock interviews, challenge days, work experience days with employers and subject based activities linking subject projects with skills development. In addition to this, there are bespoke activities for key pupils to develop their skills such as business mentoring trips and Steps to HE programmes where pupils can focus on Aiming High, Staying Positive and communication skills. As described in the steps above, many of our activities are brought to life through engagement with employers and also alumni so pupils can hear from professionals themselves what their expectations are for young people entering the workforce or further or higher education. Pupils in our alternative provision are offered, where appropriate, off timetable weekly work experience opportunities where they can build their skills with an employer on a regular basis. Our careers and creative arts department also promote volunteering at the Calne Music and Arts Festival, where the skills they will develop are highlighted and reinforced as part of this.