At Tamworth Enterprise College, essential skills are embedded across school life from Year 7 through to Year 11. What began with partial implementation (Bronze) has developed into a fully inclusive, whole-school approach (Gold). All year groups have regular, planned sessions to build and reflect on skills through tutor time, PSHE, and careers lessons. Year 11 students are now engaged from the start of the year, showing our commitment to sustained progression. Classrooms display skill icons and descriptors, planners support weekly reflection, and assemblies reinforce focus and reward progress. A central foyer display and half-termly recognitions embed the language of skills throughout the community. Our PSHE curriculum is monitored by Algun, Deputy Head and Head of Pastoral Care, ensuring all students are supported. Tutors receive targeted training to deliver consistent, high-quality skill-building across year groups. Using the Skills Builder Framework, students track their development, set goals, and understand the relevance to future pathways. Homezone links engage parents, and partnerships with employers bring skills to life through CV workshops, interviews, and visits. Regular student feedback and improved confidence data confirm impact. This dynamic, whole-school strategy ensures all students build the essential skills they need to succeed beyond school—demonstrating our readiness for Flagship status.

Tamworth Enterprise College has made strong progress through the Accelerator programme, advancing from sporadic skill assessment (Bronze) to a whole-school, data-driven system (Gold). Students regularly self-assess using the Benchmark tool and record reflections in planners linked to the Stoke & Staffordshire Employer Competency Framework. This reflection happens every half term for KS3 and quarterly for older students, helping them identify strengths and areas to improve. They also complete FSQs via Compass+ and use Unifrog for skills and career tracking. Teachers receive shared assessment data to support targeted teaching aligned with EHCPs, IEPs, and behaviour plans. Staff engagement is monitored, and student progress is celebrated through shoutouts, awards, and points, boosting motivation. Students benefit from real-world experiences including Year 10 work experience, CV workshops, and mock interviews across KS3 and KS4. These activities include reflection logs that help encapsulate essential skills. Enriching events like ‘A Day in Politics’ and visits from alumni and external speakers add depth and inspiration. Strong leadership and partnerships with local employers have helped share best practice across the Trust and careers hubs. This comprehensive approach positions the school well for Flagship status, embedding essential skills throughout the curriculum and community.

Tamworth Enterprise College has progressed from a fragmented (Bronze) to a whole-school (Gold) approach to essential skills through its STRIVE curriculum, fully aligned with the Skills Builder framework. Teachers consistently plan and deliver skill instruction across year groups, ensuring clear progression and reinforcement. Weekly tutor sessions dedicate 25 minutes to skill development, using the Stoke & Staffordshire Employer Competency Framework for student reflection. Half-termly assemblies focus on key essential skills from the Skills Builder programme, reinforced through lessons with real-world applications. The PSHE curriculum, monitored by senior pastoral leaders, provides a structured framework supporting skill progression. Students use Unifrog for self-assessment and career exploration, while staff track progress via the Careers and Enterprise Company Hub to ensure targeted support. Visual skill icons and framework descriptions are displayed around the school to maintain focus. Recognition is embedded through weekly shoutouts, half-termly awards, and end-of-year celebrations, promoting a culture of achievement. Partnerships with local businesses enhance learning through mock interviews, workshops, and workplace visits. This comprehensive and monitored approach demonstrates Tamworth Enterprise College’s strong commitment to embedding essential skills and readiness to achieve Flagship status under the Skills Builder framework.

Tamworth Enterprise College has evolved from limited skill application in some subjects and extracurriculars (Bronze) to a comprehensive whole-school approach embedding essential skills across curricula and enrichment activities (Gold). Essential skills are explicitly integrated into PSHE, Careers, and the Strive enrichment curriculum, with students reflecting weekly in planners on skill use across subjects and extracurriculars. Skills are reinforced in core subjects through lesson plans, with quality assurance led by Algun and the Head of Pastoral Care. Careers provision includes workshops and guidance, offering varied opportunities for students to practice and articulate skills relevant to the workplace. Extra-curricular activities further support practical skill application, also reflected on regularly by students. The PSHE curriculum and Unifrog platform provide a structured framework for skill development and career readiness. Staff assessments on the Careers and Enterprise Company Hub ensure alignment with skill goals. Essential skills are celebrated in assemblies and half-termly ceremonies, while skill icons and framework descriptions are visibly displayed throughout the school. Partnerships with local businesses offer real-world insights and mentorship, reinforcing relevance and engagement. Through this strategic, monitored, and inclusive approach, Tamworth Enterprise College demonstrates strong readiness for Flagship status.

Bring it to Life is a key strength at Tamworth Enterprise College, progressing from isolated skill-building (Bronze) to meaningful real-world experiences for all students (Gold). Across KS3 and KS4, students take part in mock interviews to build confidence and employability. Year 10 students complete structured work experience with pre- and post-assessments focusing on teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Skills are reinforced through CV workshops, interview preparation, and employer feedback. The school enriches learning with trips, events like ‘A Day in Politics,’ and visits from external speakers, including alumni and local business leaders who share their career journeys. Individual career interviews help students identify strengths and connect skills to future goals. Students reflect regularly in planners, embedding their learning. Strong leadership ensures consistent, high-quality delivery and continuous improvement. Skill mastery is celebrated in assemblies and through rewards, boosting motivation and engagement. Through strategic leadership, explicit teaching, ongoing assessment, and authentic real-world application, Tamworth Enterprise College has evolved from Bronze to a whole-school, Gold-level Skills Builder implementation.