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Mossford Green is a school where children embrace learning and feel happy and secure; enabling them to reach their full potential through perseverance and a belief in their own abilities. We are a small, two-form entry primary school in the heart of Barkingside. Our school is set in spacious grounds, with an early years' garden, ecology area, memorial garden, field and large playgrounds. Our teachers and support staff form a dedicated team of professionals who ensure that a vibrant curriculum, and personalised learning experiences, inspire all children and secure the very best outcomes for each individual. Children are valued for their uniqueness and are encouraged to be confident, whilst respecting and accepting others' differences. Our children are a strong testament to our school values of respect, courage, creativity, kindness, resilience and determination. Where basic skills in communication, language and teamwork are missed, it undermines social mobility, productivity and wellbeing. We first became involved with Skills Builder and adopted the key principles several years ago in response to a deficit in language across our school. Over time, language has continued to be a key driver of our curriculum as we have recognised the positive impact Skills Builder has had on our children. We think all children, at every key stage should have the opportunities to build key skills.
Overall impact
The overall impact has been on the pupils' ability to speak with confidence to a wide-range of individuals - peers and adults; they listen attentively and have the skills to seek support where needed. Our pupils play and work together harmoniously. All staff recognise the need to support children in developing the basic skills and this is now just part of regular practice. Children are prepared for the next stage of the education and aspirational goals for their future.
Keep it simple
All new members of staff and early careers teachers have been trained in the use of the Skills Builder Hub. Discrete Skills Builder sessions are a regular part of learning and run as a thread through our entire curriculum. Our schools' core values of courage, respect, kindness, resilience, determination and creativity recognise the key principles of Skills Builder and each Friday pupils receive gold awards related to these values. Debate opportunities are regular and we have developed word mats which children can use as prompt to support them in speaking opportunities. A big push this year has been on noticing the 'unnoticed' children. those who are more reluctant contributors/less engaged. This has been driven by the Skills Builder principles. Our curriculum policy makes specific reference to Skills Builder, as does our staff handbook. Governors are regularly updated regarding progress of pupils against our areas of focus.
Start early, keep going
Skills Builder principles are embedded and curriculum plans have been reviewed to ensure that the Skills Builder principles run as a thread through our entire curriculum. These long-term plans, now explicitly show where the Skills Builder Hub is to be used as a teaching resource. Weekly class assemblies are often used to introduce specific skills in preparation for a unit of work. The relevant resources accompany the lesson content. All teachers from Nursery through to Year 6 are expected to deliver the Skills Builder principles and a common language/ expectation is apparent from staff about language use along with basic skills and developing these at every opportunity. Parents have been involved through our monthly parent forums including a specific workshop on helping their child to succeed.
Measure it
Teachers have been allocated specific directed time to complete curriculum reviews and also baseline and termly snapshots of pupil attainment and progress against focus areas. Teachers are expected to use these snapshots to plan for gaps/needs and also to accelerate progress in the core principles. These snapshots are also analysed by the assessment leader to identify new or increasing needs across the school. Skills Builder is specifically referred to in the school's assessment policy.
Focus tightly
Skills Builder principles run as a thread through our entire curriculum. These long-term plans, now explicitly show where the Skills Builder Hub is to be used as a teaching resource. Weekly class assemblies are often used to introduce specific skills in preparation for a unit of work. The relevant resources accompany the lesson content. All teachers from Nursery through to Year 6 are expected to deliver the Skills Builder principles and a common language/ expectation is apparent from staff about language use along with basic skills and developing these at every opportunity. In addition, we have several clubs which enable pupils to practice these skills. Pupils are regularly engaged in off-timetable opportunities to develop focus skills. We have a Smart School council meaning every child is expected to play a role, alongside a school communication team who feedback to the leadership team.
Keep practising
As a school we adopt several practices which enable our pupils to practice skills regularly: whole class reading, curriculum linked activities such as enterprise challenges and debates and pupil-led lunchtime clubs. Writing activities are underpinned through oracy activities to develop focus skills and teamwork opportunities are regular, wide and varied. Pupils lead on lunchtime clubs such as gardening club, puzzle club and games club; and we offer extra-curricular activities after school which focus on key skills which include lego club and Task Master club.
Bring it to life
Our school development plan this year has had a Skills Builder linked action plan focused on career aspirations. Every term begins with a stunning starter, has a marvellous middle and a fabulous finish (usually a day of activities introducing the new learning/reviewing the learning undertaken so far) where children all practice the core skills. These are 'topic' dependent but have included enterprise challenges through KS2 for example: Designing, making and selling energy bars/rainforest friendly snacks in teams. We also have other challenge days linked to the learning such as the bridges challenge linked to the Victorians and climate change marches! A group of pupils across KS2 took part in the Level-Up challenge day. We are active users of Primary Futures which has enabled us to host a KS2 challenging stereotypes session; in addition, Y6 pupils took part in National careers Week through the 'Mr P, Career we go' session. We have used theatre companies to present.
What's next
As we move on to Digital Membership we would like to maintain the culture of essential skills by training staff, continuing to use the resources and ensuring essential skills continue to be built into daily practise.
