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Doctrina - základní škola a mateřská škola, s.r.o.

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Doctrina - základní škola a mateřská škola, s.r.o.
Context
Doctrina Primary School is part of "Doctrina" - a network of schools offering private education that includes a nursery, primary school, and grammar school, in both Czech and English-Czech (bilingual) study options. Children can thus complete their entire educational journey under one roof – from their first steps in nursery school to graduation from grammar school. Doctrina Primary School emphasizes a balanced development of academic knowledge and life skills. An individual approach to each student allows us to develop their potential, foster independence and responsibility, and create a safe learning environment. An important part of our educational program is the ME+ Program (Program JÁ+), aimed at the systematic development of personal and social competencies. Students learn to recognize their strengths, reflect on their progress, collaborate, communicate effectively, and adapt to new situations. We consider these skills a key component of quality education and lifelong learning, preparing students not only for further studies but also for life in a rapidly changing world. Our school consistently ranks among the top 10% of schools in the Czech Republic in national comparative tests.
Overall impact
Since 2010, we have systematically developed soft skills in both students and teachers. The Skills Builder methodology introduced a structured system for soft skills development along with self-assessment tools, and over the years, it has permeated the entire school. It is an integral part of the school's strategic documents, and its implementation is supported by a trained team of educators and external methodologists.
Principle 1: Align
Skills and their individual steps are displayed in common areas of the school, in classrooms, and in the after-school care center. Each month is dedicated to one skill, which students develop not only at school but also through thematic challenges in the home environment. In connection with the revision of the Framework Educational Program, the creation of a new school educational program will begin in September 2027, incorporating the systematic development of soft skills according to the Skills Builder methodology. The new program will also be closely linked with the ME+ program, which is implemented in other schools within the Doctrina network. Teaching staff meet once a month to share their experiences with activities and jointly plan the development of the upcoming skill. The after-school care team has become even more involved in the systematic development of soft skills. Educators regularly communicate with class teachers about the skills currently being developed and the specific steps students are working on. Together, they look for ways to build upon the development of these skills during afternoon activities in after-school care, using dedicated "program Wednesdays" for targeted skill development.
Principle 2: Plan
Thanks to close collaboration with the nursery school, we create a continuous system of soft skills development from preschool age through the completion of primary education. Children are introduced to the core skills as early as nursery school, working with simplified pictograms to help them better understand their meaning. The connection between nursery and primary school educators ensures a smooth transition in soft skills development as children enter 1st grade. This continuity is also supported by a preschool program specifically focused on working with the Skills Builder approach.
Principle 3: Measure
Class teachers map their class's level each month in the skill to be focused on during the following month. Individual student progress is regularly monitored through oral evaluation, written feedback on report cards, self-assessment (included in student portfolios and used during tripartite meetings), peer feedback, and other age-appropriate methods. Lower primary students (ages 6–10) use smileys accompanied by textual and graphic representations for self-assessment. They also use the skill tree to capture current feelings and reflect on situations. For upper primary students (ages 10–16), we choose more creative forms of self-assessment, such as mind maps, free writing, feeling trees, and other reflective techniques.
Principle 4: Teach
Each month, the entire school focuses on developing one selected skill. Before the monthly methodological meeting, teachers map the specific step that the class will work on during the upcoming period. Some teachers also involve students in their own mapping process. When planning their approach, teachers rely on outputs from methodological meetings, the school's expanding activity repository accumulated over the years, as well as their own experience and proven practices.
Principle 5: Practise
Soft skills are a natural part of weekly self-development classes (S-classes), integrated into regular instruction as well as extracurricular activities. Nearly every school event – such as teambuilding courses, thematic courses, or project days – is linked to targeted soft skills development. The after-school care staff and some parents also actively participate in supporting the development of these skills.
Principle 6: Apply
We organize charitable and creative projects connecting the school with the broader community. These include events such as "Painting for a Good Cause" for 1st–5th grade students or "100 Words for a Good Cause" for 6th–9th grade students. These projects connect the primary school and the grammar school. Older students select a non-profit organization to receive raised funds, engaging in discussion and argumentation regarding who to support and why. At the same time, creating artwork and stories fosters creative thinking. The entire charity drive culminates in a garden party and ceremonial check presentation to the chosen organization. The project is used as a targeted opportunity to develop communication and presentation skills, aim high, creativity, and other soft skills. Prior to starting, students are introduced to the skills they will be developing. Upon completion, students reflect on their progress together with teachers, evaluating how well they applied each skill in practice.
What's next
The long-term vision of Doctrina schools is to build an interconnected system for personal and social competency development from preschool education through grammar school graduation. A key component of this vision is the ME+ program, guiding students along their educational path while promoting self-knowledge, self-reflection, and discovering their own direction. At Doctrina Primary School, we share our experience in soft skills development with other schools through professional consultations, internships, and mutual sharing of best practices.
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