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We are extremely proud of our inclusive, diverse school community where we pride ourselves on our hard work and dedication to create a happy, nurturing and stimulating learning environment where all children can develop their full potential. The aim of Skills Builder was to increase the impact on what we are already doing and for the children to become more familiar with the language of skills.
Overall impact
This comprehensive approach ensures that essential skills are not only taught but also visibly applied in real-world contexts, significantly enhancing learners' understanding of their relevance to careers and future opportunities.
Keep it simple
We ensure consistent use of the Universal Framework's language by embedding essential skills into everyday language across all school areas, incorporating them into the assembly timetable, and integrating them into wider curriculum documents and the school improvement plan.
We have linked it to our "Crocketts Can" policy which underpins everything we do at the school: including rewarding students for essential skills on ClassDojo, and celebrating achievements with skill certificates and stickers in assemblies.
Staff also regularly recieve training to ensure they are supported in the language.
Start early, keep going
All students are taught essential skills, including in our early years provision. We inform parents of all the hard work of children and staff by including it in our newsletter.
Measure it
We use Skills Builder Hub to baseline a class in an essential skill, then after spending a full half term teaching it we compete another assessment. This has been helpful in seeing what progress has been made and where there is still area for development.
Focus tightly
Different terms are used to focus on specific essential skills, dedicating time to teaching. Assemblies are utilised to introduce and begin teaching an essential skill, followed by staff delivering short lessons to target specific skill steps, with flexible timing allowing for 2-3 sessions per term. Additionally, a five-minute reminder of essential skills is incorporated prior to delivering the main curriculum lesson. This approach is supported by written curriculum plans and documentation for each focus skill, and all staff actively use relevant Skills Builder Hub resources. Teachers are even inviting me into lessons, demonstrating their pride in the essential skills work and the connections they are making.
Keep practising
Posters and skill icons are prominently displayed in classrooms, serving as visual prompts for both pupils and teachers. This is supported by written documentation that maps essential skills to the curriculum and wider programmes like OPAL. Pupil feedback confirms that essential skills are consistently present across lessons and broader curriculum areas, and they are also explicitly linked to extra-curricular activities as part of the everyday language of the school. 'Learning talks' with students to reinforce curriculum links and assess understanding.
Bring it to life
Various trips and activities, such as Voice 21, Pupil Ambassadors, school trips, and careers fairs, are used to bring essential skills to life. Reflection cards have been incorporated to explicitly link these experiences to essential skills. Throughout the year, employer encounters have referenced essential skills, with an information pack with icons and definitions, ensuring employers are prepared to discuss these skills. We also use Skills Builder's Career Insight Sessions. Looking ahead, the upcoming NHS careers fair will specifically incorporate employers discussing their career paths and the essential skills required in the workplace, with a particular focus on the 'aiming high' strand.
What's next
We will continue into next year's strategy, looking at both our children and staff's essential skills.
