SDS Education in Schools
Case Studies
Simpson Primary School in Bathgate, West Lothian, have been busy introducing the Skills 4.0 meta-skills framework into their school curriculum. Here we look at some of the approaches they’ve taken, with a particular focus on how they engaged with local employers to help connect meta-skills to the world of work.
Andrew Brown, Head Teacher at Simpson Primary, explains why the school chose to launch the meta-skills framework and how the journey has been so far.
“At Simpson Primary school we decided to launch the Skills 4.0 meta-skills framework for several reasons:
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The Skills 4.0 framework is designed to equip our pupils with meta-skills that are essential for adapting to future challenges and opportunities
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By focusing on meta-skills, we aim to best prepare our pupils for the future world of work
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Skills 4.0 aligns with Curriculum for Excellence, and the progression framework provides examples of how meta-skills can be developed from early years through to senior phase
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Meta-skills help in the overall development of our pupils, encouraging them to become lifelong learners
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Implementing the framework can foster collaboration among staff, partners and parents and carers, allowing us to share best practices and innovative teaching methods
We are at the beginning of a very exciting journey, and we have forged meaningful partnerships with local employers to help bring meta-skills to life. We have also forged meaningful partnerships with other educational establishments (colleges and universities), and local community groups. These partnerships will grow and develop overtime leading to the holistic development of our children, as we lay the foundations, of preparing them to reach a positive destination beyond their time in school.
If any other school were to consider utilising the Skills 4.0 framework, our advice would be to not be afraid to fail. Whilst we are proud of what we have achieved thus far, as self-reflective practitioners we are continuously improving our meta-skills delivery. The Skills 4.0 framework provides you with the structured examples you need to begin your journey. All you are required to do is be courageous, make mistakes, learn, grow, and share with your children your journey of growth.”
Meta-skills journey
Here Principal Teacher, Sophie Powell and Meta-skills Lead Teacher, Andrew Aitken, describe what their meta-skills journey looks like in practice at Simpson Primary School.
As part of their embedding meta-skills journey, the school organised a Meta-skills Curricular Showcase family learning event. The event provided local employers and other partners with the opportunity to share their experience of how meta-skills are used within their industry to help bring meta-skills to life for the pupils and parents and carers attending the event.
Here Sophie and Andrew tell us about their experience of the Meta-skills Curricular Showcase event.
The employer view
And here’s Rob Scott from local employer Kids Gone Wild telling us about his experience of the event.
The event was also supported by local Skills Development Scotland Careers Advisor, Sam Morgan. Here’s what Sam had to say:
“It was great to see Simpson Primary School taking the initiative to embed meta-skills into the curriculum. I had the pleasure of attending their Meta-skills Curricular Showcase event and having seen the great work going on at the school, I have every confidence that they are equipping their pupils with the ability to make informed choices regarding their education and future career paths.”
The pupils talk about meta-skills
Now let’s hear how some Simpson Primary School pupils are using their meta-skills.
Gordon Craig, Skills Development Scotland Education Executive, had this to say about the progress Simpson Primary School has made to date.
“Simpson Primary School have shown real innovation in introducing meta-skills into the curriculum. It’s very encouraging to see how far they have travelled on their skills journey since the Introduction to Meta-skills workshop I delivered at the school. The commitment from the senior management team and the school staff has helped ensure that there is a whole school approach to launching and embedding the framework. The Meta-skills Curricular Showcase event is a fantastic example of raising awareness of meta-skills by engaging with local employers and other partners to bring meta-skills to life for pupils, parents and carers and help connect them to the world of work.