In an era of rapid technological change and shifting global landscapes, what does it truly mean for a student to be prepared? At HELP International School in Selangor, Malaysia, the answer goes far beyond traditional academic grades.
Sixth Form students are encouraged to build essential skills including Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Adapting, Planning, Leadership and Teamwork.
By partnering with Skills Builder Global via the Global Accelerator, HELP International School is proving that essential skills are the very foundation of a future-ready education.
A Mission to Nurture Resilient Thinkers
The mission at HELP International School is clear: To ignite a passion for lifelong learning and nurture resilient, compassionate, critical thinkers. The Sixth Form "Super Curriculum" is designed to nurture self-regulated learners by extending learning beyond the traditional classroom into personalised challenging and reflective spaces.
Manmeet Kaur, Super Curriculum Coordinator and Skills Builder Lead at HELP International School believes in activating learning agency through explicit teaching of skills which is assessed by self-reflection.
It has never been more important to build a set of essential skills to succeed in life: the ability to creatively solve problems, to self-manage, to communicate effectively, and to work well with others. These are skills that are needed to do almost anything well. The need for these skills is clear, but there is still a gap – too many young people do not build these skills to the level they need, and so miss out on opportunities to thrive in other parts of their lives. Too often this is an area where terminology is confused and confusing.
However, Manmeet knew that to truly prepare their learners, they needed a rigorous way to define and measure the skills that make a difference in the real world. That is where the Skills Builder Universal Framework provided a consistent approach to identifying and measuring skills development and gave students deeper insights into their areas of interest. Being on the Accelerator Program also supported HELP International School to formulate long term plans for embedding essential skill development into the curriculum.
Key aspects of the approach
- Setting goals with Skills Builder Benchmark: Students use the online platform at the start of their project to self-assess and discover their strengths and areas for improvement. This helps them make informed data-driven decisions and assess their individual progress.
- The Digital Journal: Students record their progress in a Super Curriculum Portfolio. This isn’t just a diary; it contains detailed student reflections and a collection of evidence – from project work to apprenticeship experiences – that showcases their growth.
- Teacher Mastery in essential skills: Every teacher at HELP International School has undergone training to use a common language and provide consistent and actionable lessons in essential skills. Skills Builder Global provides step level teaching resources that can be used to ensure progress and dedicated time is spent building the skill steps. Teachers monitor engagement, next steps and progress for each student, allowing them to judge the impact and future direction of their teaching.
From the Classroom to the Workforce
One of the most innovative aspects of the HELP International School strategy is how the essential skills translate into "work readiness." The school uses Skills Builder results and evidence to support:
Apprenticeship programs:
By identifying and measuring skill development, students develop their skills in apprenticeship experiences that act as a bridge between school and industry.
University applications:
Students use their digital journals to provide concrete evidence of their skills in personal statements and interviews.
LinkedIn endorsements:
HELP International School alumni have LinkedIn profiles with endorsements from teachers and industry professionals referencing the skills they have developed
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
The journey doesn’t stop here. Following their success with the Global Accelerator, HELP International School plans to deepen its industry collaborations with local partners such as PETRONAS and Tutan Entertainment as well as continue hosting high-impact community events like MUN Conferences, E-Sports Tournaments and TEDx talks.
As the school moves forward, the focus remains on ensuring students leave not just with a diploma, but with a "Mastery" of the skills they need to thrive, lead, and succeed in a constantly changing world.
