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We are very proud of our school and its many successes in all aspects of school life. We consider that our school is a very happy and dynamic place to learn in. Our staff work extremely hard to achieve excellent standards of teaching and learning and continually review and reflect on their work to meet the needs of each individual. We place great emphasis on the need for each child to develop the skills to be confident, adaptable, independent, and self-disciplined learners within a learning environment that celebrates success promotes thinking, and enables children to feel happy and secure. All members of our school community are actively encouraged to work together to meet the aims of our school and to ensure that each child receives the best possible education here, developing the skills and attitudes to continue learning as a life-long activity. Skills is a Residential Special School for primary age boys (National Curriculum Years 1-6 ages 5-11 years old) with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties with associated learning difficulties. We are situated just outside Redditch in Worcestershire. The school is approximately 5 miles from the Birmingham boundary and is controlled by Birmingham Local Authority. We are open on weekdays and term time only, having a structure to currently support 80 pupils in the school day and 30 pupils each residential night. Being a member of Skills School means belonging to a community of people who are driven to support one another in challenging circumstances. We provide the best learning experiences possible to teach our youngsters to believe in themselves and try their hardest. We want every pupil to become the “Best they can be”. We celebrate individual successes and achievements and unlock the potential in all children through caring relationships. Our curriculum ensures basic skills in Maths and English are learned so that our children can use them for practical reasons. We prepare youngsters for life beyond Skills ensuring they have the necessary social skills to thrive. Where our input is insufficient on its own, we work alongside other agencies to get the support necessary to ensure our children and your families’ wellbeing is managed. Skills School teaches all foundation subjects through a rolling program of themes. Except for Literacy, Numeracy, and, where the theme does not lend itself to the subject, Science. All other subjects are taught through a thematic approach. Current educational thinking particularly at the primary level places value on the links children make in their understanding when certain subjects are linked together. An example of this would be when children are learning about Romans they are learning historical facts at the same time as gaining an understanding of the geography of the Roman Empire and the science involved in the technologies that were invented or discovered. During lessons, we want to see children engaged in meaningful discussions with each other and staff. Children will be taught how to accept criticism and getting things wrong and view it as a necessary part of the learning process. Children will be supported to become more able when working together. They will begin to feel relaxed in the school environment, ask sensible questions and relate their learning to their life. Ultimately we want to inspire children at Skills School to believe they have every opportunity to make a valued contribution to the life of the school and beyond it when they leave. The ethos of the school is that learning experiences shall be presented in such a way as to allow pupils to enjoy their learning and to succeed to raise self-esteem and to build their confidence, through knowledge of achievement and progress. View full school