‘Skills for Life and Work’ has always been high on the agenda here at Kilmarnock Academy but a recent survey of employers has made us have another look at how our classrooms deal with these.

 A ‘STEMNET’ survey identified a number of ‘soft’ skills employers find desirable in young people with some of these ‘soft’ skills even seen as more desirable than the traditional academic skills that schools focus on! From this list, the Academy has identified six that we think our pupils would benefit most from having highlighted in lessons and have created a ‘Skill of the Month’ focus. These are: 

 – communication (October)
– problem solving (November)
– being self-motivated (December)
– working under pressure/to deadlines (January – for prelim time!)
– organisational skills (February – for revising for upcoming exams!)
– team working (March)

 So, in October, teachers will take a few moments in lessons to highlight to pupils when they are using their communication skills as well as all the other skills, talents and knowledge pupils are undertaking. This might be when giving pupils feedback on a presentation they have been asked to prepare or making “clear communication” a success criteria at the start of piece of work! It might not be a big moment in the lesson but as a school are emphasising those ‘Skills for Life and Work’ that are so needed in the bigger, wider world.  

We feel this will better prepare our pupils for what comes after they leave us, including in interviews, CVs, and, ultimately, in becoming confident individuals!