Essential Learning Skills: from Early Years to Adulthood

The British school Caxton College promotes the four areas of learning that worldwide experts in the field of education have identified as fundamental for success in life and in future careers

For a number of years, experts in different fields related to education have agreed that this new VUCA world (one of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) requires new strategies for learning in order to overcome the challenges we face as a society. From this broad perspective, specialists have determined that communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking are the skills that pupils need in this new decade in order to guarantee a full and complete social life and a highly qualified professional career.

‘Fortunately the British curriculum has always been pragmatic, creative and motivating, and has placed great emphasis on the development of emotional intelligence in order to activate the pupils’ cognitive skills. This is the reason why we believe that we have a head start on this educational trend debated by experts in the field’, said Amparo Gil, Principal of Caxton College.

Creativity. Motivation to study

Play is the most important tool that children have for learning and growing as individuals. More and more educators recognise that it plays a fundamental role in intellectual development, emotional wellbeing and social skills in children. So ‘play based on learning, that also aims to promote respect for the environment, allows children to explore different learning opportunities in a creative way. They acquire and develop this skill that they will then be able to use for the rest of their lives’, said Karen Fraser, Head of Early Years Foundation Stage at Caxton College.

Collaboration. Interdisciplinary approach

Teamwork is one of the most highly valued skills, both at the university level and in the professional world. It plays an important role at all ages in schools where the British curriculum is taught, from Early Years to the Sixth Form, but it’s not necessarily emphasised in the same way at every school. ‘In our case, we work on a daily basis to promote cooperation among our pupils for them to help out in our educational community, forming part of teams with different aims. Some are in charge of recycling, others provide technological support for classmates and still others help classmates with their reading—but always from a position of altruism and cooperation’, said Marta Gil, Vice Principal of Caxton College.

Communication. Presenting ideas clearly

Effective communication is essential in all areas of day to day life. It is a fundamental skill that should be practised from a young age in order for it to become a natural ability for pupils. At schools like Caxton College, pupils are given creative projects that help them learn how to speak in front of an audience, controlling their body language, voice and rhetorical skills. This educational initiative is interdisciplinary and is implemented in all subject areas and key stages. An important point in this regard is that the school is an examination centre for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and provides pupils with the option to sit an official exam that evaluates their public speaking skills.

Critical Thinking. Creating an identity connected to sustainable development

The new generations want to change the world through actions based on human values. They comprehend the situation of the planet they have inherited and are aware of the important role that they must play in the area of sustainable development. ‘We know that they want to take on the role that corresponds to them and improve the world in many ways. That is why our responsibility as educators is to give them the best possible tools to help them reflect, think for themselves and take action’, said Marta Gil, Vice Principal of this British school in Puçol that gained the maximum BSO rating.