Children in a small primary school are being taught to dream big. 

Flimby Primary School, near Maryport, recently spent a week taking part in the Primary eek taking part in the Primary Business Partnerships (PBP) SkillsBlox programme.  T 

his initiative was developed by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) to ensure primary pupils across West Cumbria get the opportunity to meet positive role models from local businesses and develop the key skills that they need to be successful in the future.   

Pupils involved are taken on a developmental journey to build their confidence and develop their skills. SkillsBlox promotes active learning, through reflection, and develops skills and knowledge, and brings the children’s learning to life. 

Each school taking part is allocated a SkillsBlox Advisor to help deliver some of the activities and find local volunteers to bring into the school.   

Flimby was supported by Sharon Brook, Head of Sales at The North Lakes Hotel and Spa.  Sharon with support from the PBP team found volunteers from Severfield Nuclear, Cumbria Constabulary, Kier Highways, PPM Ltd, West Cumbria Rivers Trust, KAEFER and North Lakes Hotel and Span 

Hotel's revamp: https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16697788.3m-revamp-fires-top-cumbrian-hotel/: 

“When we heard about Skills Blox at North Lakes Hotel we just knew that we could have a positive impact on the children,” Sharon said. 

 “When we went into Flimby School the reaction from all the children was totally overwhelming – they really wanted to learn about what we did, asking so many questions we could have stayed there for days.  The excitement and enthusiasm from them was more than we ever expected – so much so we have already signed up for next year.” 

SkillsBlox has been to designed to take children on a developmental journey throughout their time at primary school, with three activities for each of the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 children.  

Each child who takes part in the programme is given a SkillsBlox passport. Which are key to the whole programme. allowing them to take the document with them as they go through school.The passports show how they have built on the essential skills that they will need to be successful in the future. 

A growing number of schools have signed up for a pilot programme to be run in this school year 

To find out more go to: https://primarybusinesspartnership.org.uk/.../skills-blox/ 

More  SkillsBlox Advisors are needed to support these schools. Anyone interested should contact claire.johnson@pbp.org.uk