What is the Accelerator Programme?
The Accelerator is a year-long strategic partnership designed to embed a rigorous, data-led approach to essential skills across your school.
By the end of the first year, you will have:
- Strategic leadership - a trained ‘Skills Leader’ equipped to drive and sustain school-wide change.
- A consistent standard - a shared language for essential skills adaptable across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 as you grow and scale the programme.
- Measurable progress - robust evidence of pupil progress to support the new Personal Development and inclusion reporting requirements.
- National recognition - A Skills Builder Award in recognition of your school’s commitment to excellence.
How the Accelerator programme works
As part of a selected cohort of UK primary schools, you will work alongside a dedicated Skills Builder Education Associate to translate national guidance into a manageable, school-wide strategy.
This partnership provides 1:1 expert support from a qualified teacher, alongside full access to our evidence-based curriculum and assessment model. By combining specialist staff training with peer learning opportunities, we ensure your team can confidently track every pupil’s progress against a proven national standard.
What could you do on an Accelerator programme?
The programme is designed to be flexible, allowing you to align the Universal Framework with your specific 2026-27 goals.
You might use the programme to:
- Strengthen curriculum design - audit and map essential skills into existing plans, ensuring skills are reinforced in every lesson.
- Embed oracy and communication - use the Framework to provide a consistent, measurable approach to oracy across all year groups.
- Embed upcoming statutory Citizenship - Use our resources to support and enhance pupil learning across media, financial and constitutional literacy.
- Drive inclusion and wellbeing - use our assessment tools to provide quantifiable evidence of progress for all learners, including those with additional needs.
Pupils on an Accelerator Programme make twice the progress building their essential skills.
Click on each of the Accelerator elements to find out more.
Scroll right to see the whole journey, then tap on each of the elements to learn more.
TERM 1
TERM 2
TERM 3
Touchpoints with Skills Builder
Skills Leader Training Days
Planning Meetings
Teacher Training Sessions
Online all-through support
Premium Resources
Online Tools & Resources
Teacher Webinars & Events
* Apply in the Spring term and be invited to get started early in Summer.
Recognises primary schools who are making a commitment to building essential skills. Some teachers will be using the Universal Framework with some pupils
Recognises primary schools who are embedding the 6 Skills Builder Principles. Majority of teachers will be building essential skills across the curriculum
Recognises primary schools who model exceptional practice across the institution. All teachers will confidently integrate essential skills into daily practice
What is the Skills Builder Award?
- The goal is to equip your pupils with the essential skills they need to succeed in education, wider life and future employment.
- The Skills Builder Award recognises primary schools who are delivering high-quality essential skills education at a Bronze, Silver and Gold standard.
- You will achieve an Award by embedding principles of best practice outlined in the Award Guide.
- You will work closely with your Education Associate in three Planning Meetings to develop and implement a manageable, long-term plan.
- Awards are dated for three years and reviewed annually by our team.
Visit the Case Studies Showcase to see stories from schools and colleges across the country...
What Skills Leaders say about the Accelerator
What Skills Leaders say about the Accelerator:
What Skills Leaders say about the Accelerator
What Skills Leaders say about the Accelerator
How did the Accelerator fit into your strategy?
“The programme can really tap into some of those talents, aptitudes and skills that we may not see in the delivery of the regular curriculum.”
What’s been the impact for you?
“I found the CPD opportunities really helpful - particularly around leading change, changing the culture of the school and supporting colleagues.”
How have the training and support been?
“We don’t often have opportunities to work throughout the whole education sector…The Skills Builder network opens up a whole range of different organisations.”
“One of the great things is that you get to share good practice with other schools which is invaluable.”
What’s been the impact in the classroom?
“I think the programme has had a really positive impact on the teachers here. It wasn’t until we started the programme that we realised it was what we’ve always been looking for.”
How have you found the tools and resources?
“Everything that you need is there and there are a lot of resources on offer… all of the resources are high quality. Everything you need to successfully implement the programme in your school is there for you.”
What would you say to people thinking of applying?
“Whatever your starting point, whatever your history is with skills education… I would really urge you to look into the programme.”
“The help, support and guidance you get is invaluable. You are not alone. The support and everything is in place.”
“Go for it! It’s not an add on and it’s not extra work. It has massive benefits for both students and staff. For us, it fits like a glove.”
Visit the Case Studies Showcase to see stories from schools and colleges across the country...
United Kingdom
Greater London
Primary
Dairy Meadow Primary School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
West Midlands
Primary
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
South East England
Secondary
Brune Park Community School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North East England
Secondary
Hexham Middle School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North West England
Secondary
Morecambe Bay Academy
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
Greater London
Secondary
Oaks Park High School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North West England
Secondary
Penketh High School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North East England
Secondary
Southmoor Academy
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
East Midlands
Special
Maplefields Academy
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
South East England
Special
Cleeve Meadow School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North West England
Special
Hillside Specialist School and College
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
West Midlands
Special
James Brindley School
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
South East England
Special
Bradfields Academy
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
Yorkshire and the Humber
Special
Craven Pupil Referral Service
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
Greater London
16 plus
Newham College of Further Education
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
Greater London
16 plus
Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
North East England
16 plus
Newcastle College
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
South East England
College
LINK19 College
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
East Midlands
College
Grantham College
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
United Kingdom
Greater London
16 plus
The London Screen Academy
scotland
northern-ireland
wales
north-east
north-west
yorkshire-and-the-humber
west-midlands
east-midlands
south-west
east
south-east
prim
secondary
colleges
special
gold
silver
bronze
alternative
greater-london
Programme
How much time do I need to commit to the programme?
Should I be the Skills Leader?
Who do Skills Builder work with already?
Applications
How do I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
When should I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
What makes a successful Accelerator application?
What happens if my application is successful?
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
Eligibility
How much does it cost, and am I eligible to apply for a funded place?
I am at an independent college, can I apply?
I am not in the UK, can I apply?
Implementation
How can this fit with the other priorities in my college?
Do I need to teach all eight skills?
Our curriculum is already full. How can this fit in with our timetable?
Where should we start? Tutor time or across the curriculum?
Which department should I do this with?
We’re preparing for Ofsted – how does this fit in?
Learners
Are resources appropriate for older learners?
Careers
How would our careers/work experience curriculum be enhanced by the programme?
We already use a careers management platform. How will this align with that?
Will using Skills Builder help me achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks?
Programme
How much time do I need to commit to the programme?
Should I be the Skills Leader?
Who do Skills Builder work with already?
Applications
How do I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
When should I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
What makes a successful Accelerator application?
What happens if my application is successful?
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
Eligibility
How much does it cost, and am I eligible to apply for a funded place?
I am at an independent school, can I apply?
I am not in the UK, can I apply?
Implementation
How can this fit with the other priorities in my school?
Do I need to teach all eight skills?
Our curriculum is already full. How can this fit in with our timetable?
Where should we start? Tutor time or across the curriculum?
Can it work with vertical tutor groups?
Can I start with one year group?
Which department should I do this with?
We’re preparing for Ofsted – how does this fit in?
How can we communicate with and involve parents?
Students
Is this suitable for KS3 all the way through to KS5? Are resources appropriate for older learners - such as sixth-form students?
Careers
How would our careers/work experience curriculum be enhanced by the programme?
We already use a careers management platform. How will this align with that?
Will using Skills Builder help me achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks?
Programme
How much time do I need to commit to the programme?
Should I be the Skills Leader?
Who do Skills Builder work with already?
Applications
How do I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
When should I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
What makes a successful Accelerator application?
What happens if my application is successful?
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
Eligibility
How much does it cost, and am I eligible to apply for a funded place?
I am at an independent school, can I apply?
I am not in the UK, can I apply?
Implementation
How can this fit with the other priorities in my setting?
Do I need to teach all eight skills?
Our curriculum is already full. How can this fit in with our timetable?
Where should we start?
We’re preparing for Ofsted – how does this fit in?
How can we communicate with and involve parents?
We are spread across more than one base. Do we have to do it with everyone?
SEND Learners
Are the resources appropriate for learners with SEND?
How does this support preparation for adulthood?
What will progress look like for children with SEND?
How can we assess our students against their skills?
How do you make resources accessible for learners with SEND?
Can resources be adapted to suit our SEND learners’ needs?
Is there a level of literacy/reading age required for learners to access the framework?
Is Skills Builder appropriate for PMLD and autistic students?
Careers
Lots of my learners may not ever enter the world of work, how is it relevant to them?
Programme
How much time do I need to commit to the programme
Should I be the Skills Leader?
Who do Skills Builder work with already?
Applications
How do I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
When should I apply for the Skills Builder Accelerator programme?
What makes a successful Accelerator application?
What happens if my application is successful?
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
Eligibility
How much does it cost, and am I eligible to apply for a funded place?
I am at an independent school, can I apply?
I am not in the UK, can I apply?
Implementation
How can this fit with the other priorities in my school?
Do I need to teach all eight skills?
How can Skills Builder support EYFS skills progression and key stage one pupils?
We use a values-based education approach. How might Skills Builder support what we’re already doing?
How can this fit in with project-based learning?
Can we tailor this to our school’s academic calendar of events, such as focus days and weeks?
We’re preparing for Ofsted – how does this fit in?
How can we communicate with and involve parents?
Is there a particular subject that Skills Builder has to be used in?
Pupils
Is there a particular key stage that this would be most suitable for?
Can my pupils self-assess online?
1
Register interest
Get the prospectus, tips on applying and latest updates on funded places in your area - click here
Get the prospectus, tips on applying and latest updates on funded places in your area - click here
2
3
Send us an email
Still have questions? Email us at accelerator@skillsbuilder.org and we will be in touch
Still have questions? Email us at accelerator@skillsbuilder.org and we will be in touch
Skills Builder Partnership
The Skills Builder Partnership brings together 900+ education institutions, employers and leading organisations around a common approach to building eight essential skills. Central to our approach is our rigorous progression framework, a set of underlying principles and a complete suite of tools and teaching materials.
The Skills Builder Framework
The Skills Builder Universal Framework is the national standard for teaching essential skills. It breaks each skill into teachable steps, supporting progress for all ages and abilities - including those with special educational needs. The Universal Framework was developed by Skills Builder with the Careers and Enterprise Company, Gatsby Foundation, Business in the Community, EY Foundation, CIPD and the CBI.
The Skills Builder Principles
Refined over a decade, the Skills Builder Principles outline best practice in teaching essential skills for learning and life. The six principles will form the basis of your strategy, and your success in embedding them will be recognised with the Skills Builder Award.
