In early February, we invited a group of seven funder partners to a visit to Shaftesbury Park Primary School, a Skills Builder Flagship school. Based in Battersea, the school offers both English and French bilingual streams. We have partnered with the primary school for 6 years to align their curriculum and wider school life to development of their learners essential skills. On February 6th, the school opened its doors to host us for a visit alongside partners from Toyota, Yunex Traffic, Kyndryl, The Guinness Partnership, CGI, UK Atomic Energy Authority and Oliver Bonas.

The visit offered funders a first-hand look at how Shaftesbury Park Primary School integrates essential skills development into every aspect of school life.

"Massive thank you to you and the team for organising the funder morning. I found it hugely inspiring, and the work Shaftesbury Park Primary School are doing as part of the Accelerator programme will no doubt play a vital role in the development of those kids in the future." - Kish Laungani, Sustainability Programmes Specialist, Toyota.

The cornerstone of the school’s essential skills strategy is their Enterprise curriculum. The  Enterprise Stream is designed to equip children with the skills and mindset needed for future success. Starting from an early age, the approach focuses on providing opportunities for learners to develop essential skills that will enhance their future employability and prepare them to become the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow:

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The morning was a brilliant showcase of how Shaftesbury Park Primary School goes above and beyond to develop its young peoples essential skills. Across the course of two hours our funders got the chance see the Accelerator programme in action:

• Discuss with Bunmni Richards (Head Teacher) and Alastair Anderson (Assistant Head) about how they adopted and refined their strategy for essential skills learning over the last 6 years of working with Skills Builder.
• Meet teachers who are building essential skill development into their learning approach.
• Bring to life essential skills learning in the classroom, visiting Year 1 and Year 2 classes focused on specific essential skills.
• Explore how essential skills are being built outside the classroom by visiting the onsite ‘forest school’.
• Have a discussion with Year 6 learners to explore how essential skills have supported their personal development.

The morning culminated with a school assembly, where Evelyn Haywood, Director of Education at Skills Builder Partnership, awarded Shaftesbury Park Primary School with its Flagship award.

You can learn more about how the school has built essential skills into its curriculum and wider school life in our Case Studies Showcase.

If you're interested in supporting the development of essential skills in young people and would like to learn more about becoming a funder, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with us at john.sampson@skillsbuilder.org to explore how you can get involved.