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Leigh Academy Paddock Wood is a three-form entry primary school in Kent. We are an IB school so inquiry learning is at the heart of our curriculum. We became aware that we were trying to develop some skills without a clear, consistent approach to teaching them first. This is where skills builder came in as it gave us a programme to develop these soft skills that we know are crucial for future life and employability.
Overall impact
The Accelerator programme has been positively received by all of the school community. Teachers have commented on the ease of use, how much they like the resources and how they can see the children applying the skills.
Keep it simple
All teaching staff have received training from Skills Builder. We have displays that show our focus skill, an opening assembly for each unit and a dedicated time for all classes to be teaching the lessons. Every class has a growing display of the essential skill icons as we work through the programme. We give house points for demonstration of the key skills and verbally praise, and continue to raise the profile, of the essential skills.
Start early, keep going
Skills builder sessions begin in EYFS and they are very enthusiastic as it supports their curriculum too. All classes and all children can participate in the learning due to easily accessible and adaptable slides. As it links to our inquiry lessons, we ensure we praise their use of the essential skills within their group work.
Measure it
At the beginning of each unit, we evaluate the children's skill level using the dashboard to help identify the next learning step. We then reassess after the unit to assess progress. It is really clear to see what the children have understood through their action and the data.
Focus tightly
As stated previously, we ensure dedicated learning time every week to teach the skills builder sessions. We do this by using an assembly session to deliver the learning steps via the hub. These are easy to follow, have fun activities but we sometimes add some more opportunities with our own activities..
Keep practising
The students are given the opportunity to regularly practise their essential skills through our inquiry lessons and we ensure we note their use to the class. We have also taken part in the Challenge Day-Operation Moonbase throughout the school. The progress with the skills in these sessions is always amazing.
Bring it to life
A big part of IB learning is 'Action' where the children need to lead making a change in the community. The interactions since starting the skillsbuilder programme have been much more effective. Year 3 have been planning their planters and a shopping trip to purchase items. It has been amazing listening to their discussions and their use of the essential skills to complete the projects successfully.
What's next
Our next steps are to link the essential skills to clubs and subjects to ensure there is additional practise planned in across the year of all the skills.
