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Tamworth Enterprise College is an 11-16 secondary school based in the Belgrave area of Tamworth. Over the last few years, in conjunction with the Careers and Enterprise Company - Stoke & Staffordshire Careers Hub, the focus has been very much on raising the career aspirations of the students within the school. The Skills Builder Framework, along with the Stoke & Staffordshire Employer Competency Framework, was implemented in September 2023 with the aim of continuing this journey. This initiative seeks to equip students with essential skills and competencies required for future employment. In conjunction with all the staff, the programme was weaved into the consciousness of all, ensuring that career development and skill-building are integral parts of the educational experience at Tamworth Enterprise College.
Overall impact
The Skills Builder programme has prepared students for the world of work, enabling them to articulate their skills clearly. Pupils understand when they are working on specific skills and how to document these for future use. Teachers can identify when students demonstrate these skills, supported by resources from the platform. Comprehensive staff training has been pivotal, with in-depth professional development sessions on integrating the Skills Builder Framework into the curriculum, enhancing both academic content delivery and skill-building activities. Regular reviews, including feedback from students, teachers, and external stakeholders, have ensured the programme?s effectiveness, showing improved student confidence in skill identification and discussion. Partnerships with local businesses and industry professionals have provided valuable real-world insights and mentorship through guest speakers, workshops, and workplace visits. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our industry network and incorporate more technology-driven tools to further enhance skill development.
Keep it simple
Regular assemblies remind students of the essential skill focus for the term. Skill icons are displayed in every classroom, including skill steps and employer competency framework descriptions. A large Skills Builder display in the main foyer acts as a visual representation of the essential skills. The language of the skills is used with Year 11 students in their mock interviews, in line with the Stoke & Staffordshire Careers Hub framework. Skills are also visible in all student planners. The end-of-year assembly focused on essential skills and other achievements, highlighting the school's commitment to rewarding skill progress. Weekly reflections in form time are part of the reward system, with half-termly recognition. Skills are written into the PSHE and careers curriculum, and a Homezone link involves parents. Regular reviews, including feedback from students, teachers, and external stakeholders, ensure the programme remains on track. Data shows improved student confidence in identifying and discussing their skills. Partnerships with local businesses and professionals provide real-world insights and mentorship. Guest speakers, workshops, and workplace visits help students understand employer expectations. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our industry network and incorporate technology-driven tools to enhance skill development, ensuring Tamworth Enterprise College prepares students for the future world of work.
Start early, keep going
As part of our comprehensive approach, all students have the opportunity to build their essential skills through our PSHE curriculum. This initiative is rigorously monitored by Algun, our Head of Pastoral Care and Deputy Head Teacher, ensuring that each student's progress is closely tracked and supported. In addition to the PSHE curriculum, we integrate explicit skill-building activities during tutor time across all year groups. This tailored approach ensures that every student, from Year 7 to Year 11, receives consistent and focused development in essential skills. Our tutors are equipped with specialised training and resources, enabling them to effectively guide students in honing skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. Our programme is designed to be dynamic and engaging, with regular opportunities for students to reflect on their progress and set personal goals. This approach is complemented by our use of the Skills Builder Framework, which provides a structured pathway for skill development, ensuring that students can see clear links between their learning activities and real-world applications.
Measure it
Every student completes a self-assessment using the Benchmark tool to identify current skill levels and set growth baselines. Planners integrate the Stoke & Staffordshire Employer Competency Framework for continuous self-assessment, allowing students to regularly evaluate progress and set goals. Throughout the year, students engage with the Unifrog platform, exploring career options and tracking skill development. Staff assessments on the Careers and Enterprise Company Hub ensure consistent monitoring of student progress. The PSHE curriculum, overseen by Algun, Head of Pastoral Care and Deputy Head Teacher, focuses on building essential skills and tracking student progress. Tutor time includes explicit skill-building sessions for consistent development. Essential skills are highlighted in assemblies, with recognition during the end-of-year assembly and half-termly ceremonies. Skill icons and framework descriptions are displayed in classrooms and the foyer. Collaborations with local businesses provide real-world insights through guest speakers, workshops, and visits. Year 11 students participate in practice interviews with local employers.
Focus tightly
Skills Builder Focus in Assemblies: Specific assemblies focus on the Skills Builder programme, launching and highlighting an essential skill each half term. This skill is then reinforced across subject lessons, ensuring practical application. Explicit Teaching During Tutor Time: A 25-minute weekly session across all year groups is dedicated to explicit skill teaching. Students use planners to reflect on progress, supported by skill steps and descriptions from the Stoke & Staffordshire Framework. Comprehensive Skill Development Framework: The PSHE curriculum, monitored by Algun, Head of Pastoral Care and Deputy Head Teacher, supports structured skill development. Students engage with the Unifrog platform for comprehensive assessments and career exploration. Staff assessments on the Careers and Enterprise Company Hub ensure consistent monitoring. Recognition and Reward: Essential skills are celebrated in assemblies and half-termly ceremonies, with visual reminders displayed throughout the school. Collaborations and Real-World Exposure: Partnerships with local businesses provide real-world insights and mentorship. Year 11 students participate in practice interviews with local employers. Quality Assurance and Careers Provision: Skills are integrated into core subjects and careers provision, with rigorous monitoring by Algun and Kathryn, ensuring continuous practice and alignment with educational objectives.
Keep practising
Skills are reinforced in core subjects, with quality assurance by Algun and Kathryn. Essential skills are integrated into careers provision, offering students various practice opportunities. Extra-curricular activities also support skill practice, with weekly reflections documented in student planners. Reinforcement in Core Subjects: Essential skills are embedded in lesson plans, ensuring continuous application. Quality Assurance: Algun, Head of Pastoral Care, and Kathryn, Business Enterprise Link, monitor the effectiveness of skills initiatives. Careers Provision: Skills are part of career-related activities, workshops, and guidance sessions, helping students articulate their skills in the workplace. Extra-Curricular Activities: These offer practical opportunities for skill application. Reflection and Evidence: Students use planners to reflect on and set goals for skill development. Comprehensive Skill Development Framework: The PSHE curriculum and Unifrog platform support structured skill development and career readiness. Staff Assessments on the Hub: Regular assessments ensure alignment with skill goals. Recognition and Reward: Skills are celebrated in assemblies and through half-termly recognition. Visible Learning Tools: Skill icons and framework descriptions are displayed throughout the school. Collaborations with local businesses provide real-world insights and mentorship.
Bring it to life
At Tamworth Enterprise College, we embed Principle 6: Bring it to Life by linking essential skills to real-world applications. Work Experience for Year 10: Every Year 10 student participates in work experience, gaining firsthand exposure to workplace skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Students reflect on their skill use during placements, reinforcing their understanding. External Speakers and Alumni Engagement: We invite external speakers and alumni to share insights on essential skills used in their roles, offering career perspectives and inspiring students with real-world applications. Integration of Essential Skills into CVs: Students attend workshops to add essential skills to their CVs, boosting their employability and confidence. Individual Careers Interviews: Personalized career interviews help students identify strengths and align skills with career goals, making future aspirations clearer. Reinforcement and Reflection: Students document their experiences and reflections in planners, reinforcing the importance of skills and providing a record of their development. Quality Assurance: Algun and Kathryn oversee the integration and quality of these initiatives, ensuring consistency and effectiveness. Celebrations and Rewards: Skills are celebrated in assemblies and through our reward system, maintaining motivation and engagement.
What's next
We are enhancing our skills development programme to better prepare students for careers. This include: Introducing a Careers Newsletter to update parents on essential skills, career events, and support tips. Embedding essential skills deeper across all subjects to ensure development and application in diverse contexts. Integrating skills into behaviour management by recognising and rewarding teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Improving Year 10 work experience support by linking essential skills to tasks. For Year 11, integrating skills into mock interviews with tailored feedback. Extra-Curricular Activities: Using a template to emphasise essential skills during clubs and sports. Incorporating skills development into pastoral care, focusing on resilience and communication. Kathryn will oversee these efforts, using feedback to guide ongoing improvements.
