Skills Builder

Skills Builder Partnership logo

Harrogate Grammar School is delighted to have been awarded a place on the Skills Builder Accelerator Programme this year. The Skills Builder Framework is now being used in more than 700 organisations who are part of the Skills Builder Partnership. It has been adopted by leading national programmes including the government-backed Careers & Enterprise Company, the National Citizen Service and is endorsed by the CBI.

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will be working with the Skills Builder Partnership to ensure every learner has opportunities to build essential skills to support them now and, in the future, using the Universal Framework which breaks each of these essential skills down into steps. Research has shown that building these essential skills can support the emotional wellbeing and academic success of young people, as well as preparing them for life beyond school.

Students and parents can use this link to see the Skills Builder Universal Framework and the individual steps for each essential skill: https://www.skillsbuilder.org/

Essential skills graphics

The Framework is split into 8 essential skills. Over the course of this academic year, 2022-2023, students will focus on Listening, Speaking, Teamwork and Aiming High.

Information for Parents/Carers

As a parent or carer, you might be thinking about how best to support your children to build their essential skills. The good news is that there is lots that you can do that will have a big impact, including:

Talking about how you use these skill steps in your own life.
Trying to show how to use the skill steps and explaining why you are doing what you are doing.
Praising your child when they show they are using the skills well and help them to see that as a worthwhile achievement.

Information for Students

As an individual, you might be thinking about how best to support your own essential skills. The good news is that there is lots that you can also do that will have a big impact, including:

Looking at the Universal Framework to spot skill steps that you think you need to work on. It is normally best to start from the lowest step that you don’t feel confident on and go from there.
Keeping a record of the skill steps that you want to work on, and writing down when you practice them, and when you feel you are making progress.
Talk to someone you trust about what you are trying to do – whether a teacher, family member, manager or a peer. They can help give you feedback on how you are doing and celebrate your progress with you.
Making the most of the opportunity to develop and reflect on your skills in Big Picture lessons this year.

Resources for students and parents/carers to use at home

Skills Builder Benchmark

This online assessment tool can help the student identify skills they have already achieved and those they would like to work on.

Skills Builder Launchpad

The student can use the interactive modules to help build new skills.

Skills Builder Homezone

Students and parent/carers can use this tool to complete activities at a time and pace to suit you. Easy access to free resources to support building essential skills. Complete the skills challenges together at home. There are also suggested activities to enjoy together to help develop the eight essential skills.

Skills Builder

Information for Parents/Carers

Information for Students

Resources for students and parents/carers to use at home

Skills Builder Benchmark

Skills Builder Launchpad

Skills Builder Homezone

Harrogate Grammar School

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