Inverclyde Council first to introduce Gen+ meta-skills programme across all secondary schools

Inverclyde Council has become the first Scottish council to introduce the Gen+ meta-skills programme across all its secondary schools.

Supported by the Peter Vardy Foundation, the skills programme is delivered through a digital platform and offers children aged 10-14 interactive lessons. 

Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities Jim Clocherty said: “We live in a constantly evolving technological age and recognise its importance in our everyday lives and ensuring our teaching staff and young people are well-equipped to deal with that."

Meta skills are those which enhance a person’s ability to learn and use knowledge quickly and include capabilities like learning new languages or complex problem-solving.  

First implemented in 2022 at Inverclyde Academy and St Stephen’s High School, it will be introduced at St Columba’s High School, Notre Dame High School, Clydeview Academy, and Port Glasgow High School within this academic year. 

Inverclyde Academy’s head teacher Denise Crawford said: “Since implementing the Gen+ programme for our S1 and S2 pupils, I have seen a huge improvement in their confidence and self-belief in different areas of their academic life. 

“Although it is still early days with the Gen+ programme, I have no doubts that the programme will continue to make a positive impact on more pupils across Scotland in the years to come.”

Since launching in 2021, six local authority areas have adopted the innovative project.

The organisation also recently developed Gen+ Teach. This initiative brings in experts, including individuals from the University of Strathclyde Business School to co-design a learning programme for teachers.

Gen+ hopes the programme will be available across all Scottish schools within the next five years. 

The initiative adds on to other organisation’s efforts to boost meta knowledge nation-wide such as Skills Development Scotland’s meta-skills toolkit.