We have started to introduce Skills Builders to year groups below Key Stages 4 and 5. This will be continued. We have also started to introduce Skills Builder for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to support their learning and development. Links are made to all the skills in terms of learning, education and beyond (employment). The framework is used to support students understand about life long learning and the need to aim high.

Students in Year 12 have been benchmarked against 4 skills using Skills Builder Benchmark and and a self-evaluation took place during the Summer term. This data has been used to support students in Year 12 with their applications for post-18 and also to become confident in the growth within the four skills - Leadership, Problem Solving, Staying Positive and Aiming High. In addition, the school uses Start and therefore the integration of skills will begin with the new update starting from September 2021.

We decided to focus on four skills for Year 12 only to keep focus. We also linked enrichment opportunities to the skills framework and through PSHE lessons demonstrated how skills are used in application processes. Moreover, by introducing the framework at the beginning of Year 12, the students are able to see how they have grown and developed. This is reinforced through tutor-led activities.

The enrichment opportunities for Year 12 provide the opportunity for students to practise and develop different skills. The teachers in Year 12 also provide opportunities through enrichment and class discussions/activities to enhance and expand their skills.

Through virtual opportunities, students have been able to understand the importance of the skills for their future. All students in Years 10, 11 and 12 had access to virtual work experience and the framework was used to support this. Skills and the link to post-16 and post-18 education are also discussed through dedicated PSHE sessions.