Skills Builder
At Saint Mary’s RC Primary Academy, we believe that every child is created in the image and likeness of God, with unique gifts to discover, nurture and share. We want our children to flourish as confident learners, compassionate friends and responsible members of their communities.
Our involvement in the Skills Builder Partnership supports this mission. Through eight essential skills, children learn how to communicate effectively, approach challenges, work together and make thoughtful choices. These skills help prepare them for future learning and life, while encouraging them to use their gifts for the good of others.
Rooted in our Catholic ethos, our approach connects these skills with Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching, including human dignity, solidarity and working for the common good. Each skill develops through small, achievable steps, enabling every child to participate and make progress.
Listening
What does it mean?
Listening involves paying attention, understanding what others share and considering their ideas and feelings. Listening with care helps us recognise the dignity of each person and show that their voice matters.
What might this look like for children?
Children practise listening when they follow instructions, take turns in discussions, ask thoughtful questions and consider different points of view. Listening also helps them reflect during prayer and respond sensitively when someone needs support.
How can families practise at home?
- Take turns sharing something about your day and ask a question about what each person has said.
- Read a story together and discuss how the characters might be feeling.
- Share a quiet moment of prayer or reflection.
- Notice caring listening: “You gave them time to explain how they felt.”
Speaking
What does it mean?
Speaking involves expressing thoughts, ideas and feelings clearly and thoughtfully. We encourage children to use their voices with kindness, honesty and courage.
What might this look like for children?
Children develop this skill when they explain their learning, ask for help, contribute to discussions or share prayers. They also learn to disagree respectfully and speak up when something is unfair.
How can families practise at home?
- Encourage your child to explain an opinion using “I think… because…”.
- Ask them to describe something they have learnt or explain how a game works.
- Talk about how words can comfort, encourage and include others.
- Invite them to share something they are thankful for or someone they would like to pray for.
Allow time for children to express themselves, using any communication support they need.
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skills of speaking and listening that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Skills Builder Home Learning Challenge – Speaking and Listening
Problem Solving
What does it mean?
Problem solving involves understanding a challenge, exploring possible solutions and deciding what to try. We encourage children to consider how their choices affect other people and the world around them.
What might this look like for children?
Children use problem solving when they tackle a difficult question, improve a design or work through a disagreement. They can also apply it to questions of fairness, caring for creation and helping those in need.
How can families practise at home?
- Complete puzzles or construction challenges together.
- Ask, “What could we try?” before offering an answer.
- Discuss how to resolve a disagreement fairly.
- Explore a practical way to reduce waste or care for your local environment.
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skill of problem solving that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Creativity
What does it mean?
Creativity involves using imagination to explore possibilities and develop ideas. We celebrate creativity as a way for children to discover and share their God-given gifts.
What might this look like for children?
Children show creativity through art, music, writing, design and imaginative thinking across the curriculum. They might find a fresh way to explain an idea, express their faith or brighten someone else’s day.
How can families practise at home?
- Create a picture, poem, song or story together.
- Make something using recycled materials.
- Design a card or small gift to encourage someone.
- Explore the natural world and talk about the colours, patterns and beauty of God’s creation.
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skill of creativity that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Adapting
What does it mean?
Adapting involves responding to change, managing setbacks and finding ways forward. Our Catholic ethos encourages hope and perseverance, alongside recognising when we need help and support.
What might this look like for children?
Children practise adapting when they try a different approach, respond to feedback or cope with a change of plan. They learn that mistakes are part of learning and that difficult feelings can be shared with trusted adults.
How can families practise at home?
- Acknowledge disappointment and ask, “What might help you now?”
- Share a time when you needed support or had to try again.
- Encourage a pause, a new approach or asking for help.
- Use prayer or quiet reflection as an opportunity to share worries and find reassurance.
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skill of adapting that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Planning
What does it mean?
Planning involves setting a goal and organising the steps needed to achieve it. We encourage children to develop their gifts with purpose and consider how their efforts can benefit others.
What might this look like for children?
Children practise planning when they organise resources, break a task into manageable steps and reflect on their progress. They might plan a piece of learning, a personal challenge or an activity that supports their community.
How can families practise at home?
- Choose a small, achievable goal and identify the first step.
- Make a checklist for a task or prepare together for the next day.
- Plan an act of kindness or a way to help someone.
- Celebrate progress and ask, “What helped you? What will you try next?”
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skill of planning that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Leadership
What does it mean?
Leadership involves guiding, encouraging and supporting others. Following Jesus’ example of service, we help children understand that good leaders listen, act fairly and care for those around them.
What might this look like for children?
Children show leadership when they welcome someone, set a positive example, organise a shared task or encourage others to contribute. They learn to use responsibility thoughtfully and recognise the strengths of others.
How can families practise at home?
- Let your child lead a family game or organise part of a shared activity.
- Encourage them to help someone patiently.
- Ask, “How could you make sure everyone feels included?”
- Notice leadership through service: “You saw that someone needed help and offered your support.”
Teamwork
What does it mean?
Teamwork involves cooperating, contributing fairly and working towards a shared goal. It reflects our belief that we belong to one human family and have a responsibility to support one another.
What might this look like for children?
Children practise teamwork when they share resources, fulfil a role, consider others’ suggestions and resolve disagreements respectfully. They learn that everyone has something valuable to contribute and that shared success is worth celebrating.
How can families practise at home?
- Cook, tidy, garden or complete a puzzle together.
- Share responsibilities so everyone can contribute.
- Take part in a community, parish or charitable activity together.
- Reflect afterwards: “How did we help one another? What did each person contribute?”
Below is a range of further activities linked to the skills of teamwork and leadership that you might like to engage in with your child at home.
Skills Builder Home Learning Challenge – Teamwork and Leadership
Working Together: School, Home and Parish
Developing these skills is a shared journey. Everyday conversations, family routines, play and opportunities to help others all give children meaningful ways to practise.
By naming the skills and noticing small steps, we help children recognise their progress: “You showed teamwork by sharing the jobs,” or “You showed leadership by making sure everyone was included.”
Together, we can nurture children who recognise their own worth, value the gifts of others and put their faith into action with confidence, compassion and love.
Find out more about the framework on the Skills Builder website.
Below is a document outlining what our involvement with Skills Builder Foundation looks like in practice here at Saint Mary’s.
