Our core skills

These are the core skills we develop in every pupil, across every subject. They cover reading, writing, speaking and listening, maths, and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH).

Reading

We are developing confident readers who can:

Retrieve: find key facts and details in a text.
Understand: explain what is happening and what is being said.
Infer: read between the lines and explain ideas.
Analyse: explore how language creates meaning and effect.
Explain purpose: understand why a text was written.
Evaluate: give opinions and support them with evidence.

Writing

We are developing writers who can:

Write clearly in sentences: use sentence structure and basic punctuation.
Organise ideas: organise their ideas into paragraphs.
Write for purpose: write for different purposes and audiences.
Use vocabulary effectively: choose words that create impact.
Use accurate punctuation and grammar: use punctuation and grammar correctly.
Edit and improve: check, edit and improve their work.

Speaking and listening

We are developing communicators who can:

Listen actively: listen carefully and respond appropriately.
Share ideas clearly: speak clearly and express their ideas.
Take part in discussions: contribute to discussions and group work.
Respect different viewpoints: listen to others and respect different opinions.
Present ideas: present ideas to others with confidence.
Adapt communication: adapt how they speak for different situations.

Maths

We are developing mathematicians. The skills we focus on are:

Number: using the four operations, place value, fractions, decimals and percentages, and applying them to real life.
Measure: understanding and using units of measure (length, mass, time and capacity), and calculating area and perimeter.
Data: reading, interpreting and representing data using charts, tables and graphs, and understanding averages and trends.
Geometry: recognising and describing shapes and angles, and using position, direction and coordinates.
Problem solving: understanding the question, choosing the right method, solving problems step by step and checking that answers make sense.

Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) and behaviour

We are developing the skills pupils need to thrive. We look at each skill in three stages: emerging, developing and secure.

These skills build on our three values: ready, respect and resilience.

1. Self-regulation (managing myself)

Recognise my emotions
Identify my triggers
Use strategies to calm myself
Stay in learning, or return to learning
Ask for help appropriately

Stage	What it looks like
Emerging	Needs support to regulate and may become overwhelmed quickly.
Developing	Can use strategies with prompts and is beginning to recognise emotions.
Secure	Uses strategies independently and returns to learning.

2. Relationships (working with others)

Build positive relationships with adults
Work alongside my peers
Show respect to others
Manage disagreements
Repair relationships after conflict

Stage	What it looks like
Emerging	Struggles to work with others and conflict is likely.
Developing	Can work with support and is beginning to repair relationships.
Secure	Builds positive relationships and manages conflict appropriately.

3. Engagement (learning behaviours)

Enter lessons ready to learn
Stay focused for longer periods of time
Attempt tasks, even when they are difficult
Follow instructions
Complete and reflect on my work

Stage	What it looks like
Emerging	Avoids tasks, has low focus and needs constant support.
Developing	Attempts tasks with encouragement and focus is improving.
Secure	Engages independently and sustains attention.

4. Communication (expressing myself)

Express thoughts and feelings appropriately
Use words instead of behaviour
Listen to others
Accept feedback
Speak up for myself

Stage	What it looks like
Emerging	Struggles to express needs, and behaviour communicates feelings.
Developing	Can express needs with support and is beginning to use appropriate language.
Secure	Communicates clearly and appropriately in different situations.