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Skills Builder Catalyst
High impact programme

Targeted essential skills development for schools and colleges

Skills Builder Catalyst is our innovative new programme for educators, bringing high impact, policy ready approaches to essential skills to your learners. 

Built on insights from the success of our flagship Accelerator programme, Catalyst drives learner success, with measurable outcomes supported by the evidence backed Universal Framework.

How Catalyst works

We’ll work with you (the Skills Lead) to target essential skills development around a key theme for a selected class or group of learners over the Spring term. 

You’ll have regular 1:1 support from us, as well as joining our peer practice network of Skills Leaders. At the end of the programme, you’ll have measurable learner outcomes aligned to your theme, and achieve a Skills Builder award for your school.

Throughout the term

Ongoing support from your Education Associate
Opportunities to connect and share practice with other educators

Touchpoints

Learn

Learn how essential skills support your learners. Find out how to effectively measure and teach essential skills in school.

Plan

Meet with your dedicated education associate to plan for your chosen learner group.

Teach

Deliver a skills project aligned to your chosen theme, with high quality resources to support.

Achieve

Reflect on your progress, set further goals, and achieve your Skills Builder award!

What educators say about Skills Builder Partnership

The best part has been seeing the difference it makes for learners. The resources are easy to use, and it's been great working with such a supportive team.

Petty Pool - 2025-26 End of term feedback

It makes planning incredibly easy at a time when teachers are facing significant workload challenges. The framework is completely up-to-date with modern workforce standards and accurately reflects what employers are looking for, ensuring all of our students are well-prepared to face the world.

Laurel Park - 2025-26 End of term feedback

Skills Builder Catalyst

Kickstart essential skills progress in the Spring term

Apply for a funded place on Catalyst

To hear more, register interest here

Click below to register interest for this opportunity

Register interest now

FAQs

What might this look like in our school?

The programme will look different in every school, depending on your chosen theme. However, you can expect to see a high quality programme for developing 1-2 essential skills for 1-2 groups of learners. For example, you might use the framework to develop a measurable approach to Leadership across a student council initiative, or focus on workplace preparation for a work experience group through Planning.

What progress can learners make?

Those with stronger essential skills have been shown to enjoy greater life satisfaction and can earn up to 12% more than their peers. 

The Universal Framework provides a rigorous, evidence backed approach to developing the essential skills learners need to succeed in life. It breaks the 8 essential skills down into a sequence of steps, starting with absolute beginner through to mastery. Skills Builder programmes like Catalyst provide expert guidance, educator support, and high quality teaching resources to effectively utilise the Framework - with learners on a Skills Builder programme making up to 2.7 times more progress in their essential skills.

How much does it cost, and am I eligible for a funded place?

We’re a not-for-profit social enterprise, and accessibility is important to us. The Catalyst programme costs £2000 per institution per year (this cost is subsidised due to our fundraising efforts). However, we fundraise every year to remove this cost barrier for participating schools. We have a limited number of funded places available.

How much time do I need to commit to the programme?

We know there's not much time in schools, and we will work with you to best support with minimal workload across the 11 week term. 

Skills Leads need to be able to attend:

  1. A two hour virtual Learn session (at the start of the term)
  2. A one hour virtual Plan meeting (in the first three weeks of the programme)
  3. A one hour virtual Achieve meeting (in the last two weeks of the term)

AND:

Be able to deliver an essential skills project with learners across the term

When do applications open?

Applications open on Monday 2nd November, register your interest now.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Ask your question here, and one of our team will get back to you.