Skills Builder Global

This content was written by

St Matthew Anglican Primary School

Context

Our primary school has a nursery and 6 classes. It is a low income and low resource area in Nigeria.

Overall impact

We wanted to train staff and students in essential skills and this year we have developed our staff's understanding of essential skills. Our students have improved their listening skills and understand why it is important for them to succeed.

Keep it simple

All teachers attended a Teacher Training session to introduce them to essential skills this helped to ensure everyone was using the same language and teaching the skills using the Handbook. Our students created artwork of the icons to help reinforce the skills. We use verbal praise to reinforce essential skills in lessons.

Start early, keep going

To begin grades 4,5 and 6 were included in our essential skills programme. We ensured that all teachers were trained in essential skill teaching so that it could be discussed with all of our students.

Measure it

We use frequent observation to assess the impact of essential skills and consider the needs of our students. This helps us to plan our teaching in the future.

Focus tightly

We focused on Listening Step 0 this year for all classes. Explicit teaching takes place every Friday in STEM lessons. The HUB or Handbook resources are used to guide teaching content.

Keep practising

Assemblies are used to discuss our focus skill with all students and highlight key strategies. We discuss it with students and highlight good examples in our lessons and activities.