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Harry Watts Academy is a free school for pupils who have a diagnosis of Autism and an EHCP. We take pupils from reception to year 11 and are based over two sites in Sunderland and Washington, Tyne and Wear. The Skills Builder programme came to my attention as I was completing the level 6 course for Careers Lead training. The Skills Builder Accelerator Programme fits perfectly with careers and basic skills in school. I hoped to have all of the pupils be able to use the common language in the programme.
Overall impact
My own highlights are when my own class link Skills Builder to other parts of the curriculum. I love it when they say' "Karen that is all about Staying Positive". The language even comes out when we are reading the class texts. For example we are reading 'Kensuke's Kingdom' at the minute and one pupil commented that the mother in the book had good 'leadership' skills as she is the ship's skipper. This always promotes discussions which deepens learning and understanding of the skills.
Keep it simple
All class teachers and HLTAs have log in details to be used in their classes. Every class has space on the weekly timetable for Skills Builder and every half term we use a different skill and we ensure that all skills are covered across the year. Every class has a display with the Skills Builder symbols on the walls. In upper school we also have a separate display that shows what skill we are covering and what we will be learning about. At the start of every half term I do an assembly showing the pupils what the new skill will be for the coming weeks. In weekly celebration assemblies we give out certificates to one pupil from each class that have shown outstanding work in the current skill.
Start early, keep going
I have created an area on the school web site that explains to parents all about Skills Builder. In the parent's meeting room there is also a display on Skills Builder. In school we have three phases Explore, Engage and Discover. The Engage and Discover pupils have discreet teaching using the resources. In Engage the staff ensure that the skills are covered in a way that is relevant and pertinent to the needs of the pupils.
Measure it
At the beginning of each new skill the teacher assesses the pupils before teaching the lessons. At the end of the skills the teachers then assess again to show progress.
Focus tightly
The staff have two timetabled sessions each week in order to teach and build on the essential skills using the resources on the site. Teachers have also found their own resources which are then shared with others in order for them to use different resources.
Keep practising
The Skills Builder language fits perfectly into the everyday curriculum . The pupils are able to point out what the links are by using the visual display in each classroom. At the beginning of every lesson I have also inserted an extra slide to power points so that it brings the language to the front of learning before teaching other subjects, i.e. humanities, careers and science.
Bring it to life
Skills Builder links perfectly to careers related learning and when I plan lessons for teachers I insert a slide to show what skills will be needed for different careers. Across the year we meet and interview people from various workplaces and we have discussions with them about any skills that are essential to those roles.
What's next
I hope to have a Skills Builder champion take over the other site for the Engage and Explore pupils. If someone is there on site it will be easier to promote the excellent learning that takes place in the lessons.
