By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
Percy Shurmer Academy is a well-above-average-sized primary school with 459 pupils, including an 18-place Deaf Learning Resource Base. We embarked on a journey with Skills Builder to empower our parents to support their children in developing the eight essential skills for career aspirations. Our goal is to equip our students with the critical skills necessary for their future education, careers, and lives. At Percy, we prioritize the right of all children to make a positive future contribution to society by focusing on learning. We challenge our pupils to attain high academic and personal outcomes, setting and achieving ambitious goals in all they do. These skills support children's and young people's emotional well-being and academic success, preparing them for life beyond school. Our academy is an extremely passionate and innovative environment. We recognize the ever-changing nature of the world of work and see our pupils as the future. Skills Builder helps us equip our students to become lifelong learners and develop the skills needed to be responsible members of both the school and the local community, and ultimately, the wider community. Skills Builder is founded on the belief that all learners can achieve great careers with the right preparation, experiences, and skills development. We have the ambition, determination, and expertise to ensure all pupils receive an outstanding education. With the support of Skills Builder, there is no stopping us. After completing our second year with Skills Builder, our children have grown in confidence and fully understand the importance of these essential skills.
Overall impact
The overall impact of the Accelerator programme has been profoundly positive for teachers, students, and the wider community. Teachers have reported increased confidence in integrating essential skills into their curriculum. Students feel empowered, recognising that these skills are vital for their future success, and can confidently articulate their importance. This shared understanding between staff and students fosters a more cohesive learning environment. The programme has also strengthened community ties, bringing together parents, educators, and local professionals in a unified effort to enhance educational experiences. One of the programme's standout highlights has been parents' active involvement in career workshops. Parents sharing their career journeys with the children has been incredibly inspiring, leading many students to express ambitions to pursue careers in nursing, dentistry, and other fields. This direct interaction motivates the children and provides them with tangible role models and real-world insights into various professions. The enthusiasm and aspiration generated through these sessions have been remarkable, showcasing the powerful impact of community engagement in education.
Keep it simple
Essential Skills applies to all pupils from Nursery to Year 6. The Framework provides a progressive sequence so that skills can be built upon yearly. We have shared information with parents through newsletters, Class Dojo, our school website, and ' Parent Inspire' workshops. All classes have displays in their room from Nursery through to Year 6. In addition to the formal Skills Builder CPD, the Skills Leader communicates new resources or highlights incidental opportunities for the focus skill and step from the Universal Framework when setting targets with pupils. All year groups and classes have regular and planned opportunities for learning and practising the skills. There is a timetabled weekly session for all classes to deliver a 'Skills Builder' lesson.
Start early, keep going
Essential Skills applies to all pupils from Nursery to Year 6. The Framework provides a progressive sequence so that skills can be built upon yearly. We have shared information with parents through newsletters, Class Dojo, our school website, and ' Parent Inspire' workshops. All classes have displays in their room from Nursery through to Year 6. In addition to the formal Skills Builder CPD, the Skills Leader communicates new resources or highlights incidental opportunities for the focus skill, e.g., Coaching through Sports or'Aiming High when setting targets with pupils. All year groups and classes have regular and planned opportunities for learning and practising the skills. There is a timetabled weekly session for all classes to deliver a 'Skills Builder' lesson. Across the whole academy, all teachers ensure that the essential focus skill is explicitly taught in a timetabled session. The skill is then built upon throughout the week, across the curriculum and rewarded during our weekly celebration assembly. These skills are also highlighted and reinforced across all other curriculum areas. Steps are visibly displayed on the classroom wall.
Measure it
The Skills Builder Hub has enabled teachers to record their students' progress throughout the year, updated monthly by staff. The Hub report is also shared with staff in the weekly newsletter. Explicit skill builders' lessons are taught, and pupils can apply the skills in various subjects. In addition, teachers revisit their assessments where continued application of an earlier focus skill across the curriculum and through wider opportunities, such as a visit or a challenge day, has secured progress. Other staff involved with the class, including the teaching assistant, contribute to this. Year group teams are encouraged to discuss their classes' progress during planning meetings.
Focus tightly
All staff across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and 2 ensure that the essential focus skill is explicitly taught in a weekly timetabled session. Assessment informs the starting point needed for individual classes and intervention groups. The skill is then built upon throughout the month, across the curriculum and rewarded during our weekly assembly. Planning across the year groups and the curriculum identifies focus skill-based links and learning for lessons. This enables our students to see how each essential skill is valued, necessary and valuable in a wide range of situations. We also encourage children to use these skills when applying for various leadership roles throughout the school. Skills are also enhanced in other provisions available at playtime and lunchtime, with resources provided to encourage skill progression. All pupils are involved in weekly focussed teaching sessions of the Skills builder programme. These skills are also highlighted and reinforced across all other areas of the curriculum. Steps are visibly displayed in each classroom.
Keep practising
We have embedded the essential skills into all aspects of our curriculum. Staff allow children to practise their skills by incorporating the skills and language across all lessons. Children are encouraged to demonstrate the skills in various environments, e.g. PE, extra-curricular activities, and school trips as part of their Personal Development offer. This year, we participated in the Game On challenge day. The children had lots of fun developing their essential skills. One successful and meaningful experience for the children was when parents came into school and discussed their roles and responsibilities and the essential skills needed within their work. We had dentists, nurses, accountants and personal trainers. This year, we have also sent out requests on social media, calling back any past pupils to talk about their careers and the skills used. Past pupils' photos and skills are displayed for all children to see. Various year groups have participated in careers insight. Children are always allowed to ask questions to the employers during encounters to help gain a deeper understanding. The children have also been set several skills builder challenges over the summer to complete with their families.
Bring it to life
This year, we participated in the Game On challenge day. This has created significant excitement throughout the school, and the children have taken pride in putting their essential skills into practice as a shared experience. This year, we invited parents to host career workshops, particularly during Science Week and British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Week. The essential skills were also an important focus when we celebrated Science Week, British Sign Language Week, and Deaf Awareness Week. The Junior Leadership team's visit to the House of Parliament was a significant event. They had the opportunity to discuss the importance of leadership, which we believe has inspired them and will continue to motivate them in their roles. Guest speakers and visitors to our school are prompted to reference essential skills explicitly in their discussions. The children at Percy Shurmer Academy are confident in their discussion and application of the eight essential skills because they use them daily!
What's next
Next year, we will continue embedding the essential skills across all aspects of teaching and learning. In particular, we aim to further promote parental and community involvement within the programme. We are developing a new leadership team focused on Skills Builder. This team will take ownership of the next challenge day and suggest ways to advance Skills Builder. They will also play a key role in promoting the essential skills to our pupils and external visitors.
