At Applebee Wood we use the Skills Builder framework to teach key skills to our pupils. The skills Builder Framework is made up of eight essential skills, as shown below. 

These skills are taught during discrete Skills Builder sessions each week and are displayed in each of our Key stage 3 and 4 classrooms so that children are continuously working on them each day. Children's progress acquiring these skills are celebrated during careers lessons, where personal successes and next steps are identified. 

These skills are taught across the curriculum and explicitly in the key stage 3 and 4 careers lessons. There is also a “Homezone” section of Skills Builder, where the pupils can develop these skills at home

How does this look at Applebee Wood?

Skills builder is used to ensure that essential skills are covered in careers lessons. Key stage 3 and 4 have a discrete single lesson each week. The curriculum map is designed to ensure that all essential skills are covered, at least once through a term. EYFS, ISC classes, Key stage 1 and 2 will cover careers in a variety of different ways by the Equals curriculum, role play, topics, visitors in school, visits out, assemblies and in everyday interactions in school.  Skills builder is used to ensure that essential skills are covered in careers lessons. Key stage 3 and 4 have a discrete single lesson each week. The curriculum map is designed to ensure that all essential skills are covered, at least once through a term. EYFS, ISC classes, Key stage 1 and 2 will cover careers in a variety of different ways by the Equals curriculum, role play, topics, visitors in school, visits out, assemblies and in everyday interactions in school. 

Pupils have a variety of different ways to experience employer encounters and able to have opportunities to enhance the skills learnt through skills builder in practical situations when they go out to enhanced provisions and visits. Key stage 4 are able to take part in Duke of Edinburgh and also have the opportunity to do a work experience placement in Year 11. The careers fair also gives our year 10 and 11 pupils the opportunity to meet people from colleges and local businesses. 

Why is this important? 

The development of transferrable skills is essential to succeed in education, work and life. This is even more 

the case in schools with pupils that have special educational needs. Pupils at Applebee Wood need to be actively taught skills frequently to embed learning into their long term memory and allow them 

to apply skills in everyday contexts.