Jessica Pykett,Developing and accrediting personal competencies and skills

This seminar will report on the findings of work carried out by Futurelab on behalf of the QCA. The research draws together a review of current projects and initiatives which provide insights into different approaches to developing young people’s skills and competencies (broadly classified as ‘21st century skills’) through non-subject led approaches. We identify how these different approaches might be developed and supported at a national level, and make recommendations as to assessment and accreditation practices which could be used to promote and develop personal skills and competencies. Principles and models for nurturing and assessing personal competencies and skills are identified. We will outline proposals for two accreditation frameworks, based on the idea of a ‘personal challenge’ and a ‘participatory curriculum’.