Championing Skills-Based Education

It is increasingly evident that skills-based learning is not just a trend, but the future of education. At Highfield and Brookham we believe that in a rapidly changing world, it is not enough to educate children for academic success alone. We must also equip them with the essential skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom – skills that will support them in tomorrow’s workplaces, in their relationships and throughout their wider lives.

This commitment to a broader, more practical education is echoed in the recently updated statutory guidance from the Department for Education, which highlights the growing importance of skills-based learning. The guidance reinforces what we have long understood: that preparing children for life means developing not only their knowledge, but also their adaptability, resilience, collaboration and communication skills.

“At Highfield and Brookham, we believe that education must evolve alongside the world our children will inherit,” says Head Suzannah Cryer. Academic achievement remains vital, but it’s no longer enough. We must also nurture essential skills that prepare our pupils for their senior schools, future careers and personal success. And we are proud to be one of the first independent schools in the primary sector to have adapted to this new way of teaching.”

This progressive approach is rooted in the Highfield and Brookham bespoke Essential Skills programme, which adapts the respected Skills Builder framework (a nationally respected programme that teaches eight core employability skills) to meet the unique needs of pupils from Nursery to Year 8.

The programme focusses on eight key areas: listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork. These core skills are interwoven with the schools’ values – Be Kind, Be Courageous, Be You – to guide students’ personal and social development.

The curriculum is designed to foster these capabilities from the earliest years. Through collaborative projects, reflective practices and structured goal-setting, children learn to take ownership of their growth. From Year 3, progress is tracked through a personalised Keys Passport, culminating in the Keys Diploma, a motivational awards scheme celebrating each child’s development journey.

Research cited in the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review reveals that 90% of jobs created by 2035 will require high-level interpersonal and cognitive skills. Highfield and Brookham School is responding with intent and innovation, ensuring pupils are not only prepared for academic success but for the demands of a future shaped by AI, automation and global collaboration.

“Learning here is not just about what you know,” explains Mrs Cryer. It’s about who you are becoming. Our pupils are learning to reflect on their strengths, address challenges and articulate their growth with confidence.  These are qualities that support everything from school interviews to lifelong resilience.”

The benefits of this approach are far-reaching. Pupils develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness and strong communication skills – all while gaining a deeper engagement with their academic studies. By embedding Essential Skills into every aspect of school life, Highfield and Brookham is ensuring their pupils are future-ready.

In a world where change is the only constant, Highfield and Brookham School is proud to offer an education that goes beyond knowledge, focusing instead on the cultivation of capability, character and confidence. The future starts now, and every child deserves to meet it with the tools to thrive.