We work with skills development from 1st to 9th grades (from 6 years to 15/16 years old learners ). In September 2025 The Doctrina Kindergarten is also going to join the program and we will create a connected system of developing essential skills from the age of 4.

Each month our class teachers map their class level of skill that is going to be focused on the following month. To monitor progress, the teachers use mostly oral assessment in class and verbal assessment as part of the final report. The basic pillar of progress monitoring is the pupils' self-assessment, which the teachers can use, with the pupils' permission, within the tripartite framework, where there is a mutual discussion between the pupil, parent and teacher. Primary students (6-10 years old) use smileys along with the text and graphic additions or the “skills tree” which supports the link to skills in various situations. For lower secondary students (10-16 years old), we use a more creative approach and choose different forms of self-assessment (mind maps, free writing, tree of feelings, etc.).

Each month we teach one skill to support a clear and consistent approach. The teacher begins by assessing the class to select the relevant step, and then they prepare a plan for development of the given step. Focused teaching of this step takes place in regular Self-Development lessons. When choosing specific activities, they can benefit from the Skills Builder methodological materials created by teachers in previous years.

The development of skills regularly accompanies pupils throughout the school year. As well as specialized Self-Development classes (S classes) every week, teachers refer to them during the regular lessons where particular subjects are taught. Almost all school events (bonding courses, thematic courses, project days, etc.) are connected with the development of essential skills.

We also connect the development of essential skills with life outside school. In particular, we appeal to parents to support their children at home. We also organize several events for the wider public, e.g. Running for Charity. This event connects all parts of our school Kindergarten + Elementary School + Grammar School. Pupils must primarily apply the skill of teamwork, where they try to find a common non-profit organization or a specific person, to whom the collected money will be donated. Pupils decide about the final purpose of the charity event in elementary school/gymnasium parliament. Pupils also practice creative thinking when each class can come up with their own running style - including costumes and accessories. Here, they can also apply their presentation skills during the event itself, which is open to the general public. Parents are also involved in such an event. Running for Charity supports development of the staying positive skill - everyone encourages each other to raise money and support each other in their ideas.