DYW Interesting Practice – Busby Primary School: Skills development at the core of the curriculum

Busby Primary School (East Renfrewshire) has developed a highly dynamic initiative that focuses on enhancing skills  for learning, life and work from early years to P7.  Based on a masterclass concept, headteacher Sharon Hunter has inspired the Skills Academy, a programme that brings together staff, employers, parents and community organisations to provide inspirational, progressive learning experiences for all children and young people.   The timetabled programme is built around five cross-cutting themes which learners access on a rotational basis:

  • Food Technology
  • Community,
  • Design & Manufacture
  • Creativity
  • Life skills

Throughout the academy programme pupils collaborate with each other across Early, First and Second Levels.  Its successful implementation is based on the strategic planning and support provided by the school’s leadership team, enabling all staff to engage according to their interests through relevant CLPL opportunities.

Clip 1:  Head Teacher perspective – overview

Learners excel in skills development

As a result learners are progressively developing a employability and career management skills throughout their primary education.  The programme offers a wide range of contextualised learning experiences as varied as hosting an art exhibition, creating an outdoor learning space (eg. building a stage and planting a scented garden), working with a professional film maker and designing apps.  First hand experience in the catering industry has resulted in learners collaboratively catering for large audiences (eg. Burns Supper).

Leaners are fully aware of the skills they develop through the academy programme,  how these relate to world of work and the value these hold for their future pathways.

The following document contains an overview of the Skills Academy programme: Interesting Practice in Skills DYW – Busby PS

The following clips provide a range of perspectives around the Skills Academy programme:

 

 

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