Hyde primary wins national recognition for preparing pupils for life

A Hyde primary school has received a prestigious national award recognising its work to equip children with the essential skills they will need for life and work.

Endeavour Primary Academy, based in Hyde in Tameside, has been awarded Silver status by the Skills Builder Partnership for its commitment to helping its pupils develop essential skills, including teamwork, problem solving, and speaking.

The national recognition places the school among fewer than 60 organisations to receive a Gold or Silver award for essential skills education this year.

At Endeavour Primary Academy, essential skills are taught alongside traditional academic subjects, with pupils encouraged to understand how their learning can be applied beyond the classroom.

The school has established consistent language around essential skills across all key stages, while pupil achievements are celebrated through weekly reward assemblies.

Specific essential skills and skill steps are incorporated into lesson plans across all subjects, supported by weekly dedicated teaching sessions and provision in the early years.

Teachers regularly assess pupils' development through reflection activities and questioning, helping children recognise their progress and understand how they can continue to improve.

Pupils are also given opportunities to develop and apply their skills through practical activities. These have included engineering question-and-answer sessions, giving children the chance to explore how the skills they are learning at school are used in real-world careers.

The approach is designed to complement academic learning by helping children develop qualities that can support them throughout their education and future working lives.

Dr Michael Englard, UK CEO at the Skills Builder Partnership, congratulated Endeavour Primary Academy on achieving its Silver Award, saying:

“Congratulations to Endeavour Primary Academy on their Skills Builder Silver Award. It’s been a privilege working with them as they build essential skills into the work of their school.

“We know that higher levels of essential skills translate into a greater chance of finding better work as adults, and that by explicitly developing those skills and giving young people the opportunity to practise, Endeavour Primary Academy is helping to ensure that one day, everyone has the essential skills to succeed.”

The award recognises the work being carried out at the Hyde school to ensure pupils leave primary education with more than academic knowledge — and with the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills they can draw on throughout their lives.