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Skill Set Plus
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For educators

We know how hard you work to support your students. It’s why we created SkillSetPlus for them – and for you.

It’s designed to fit around your lessons. Support your hard work. And help you open your students’ minds to the strengths and skills that can make them unstoppable.

For learners aged 13-16, it’s a learning tool that can help them at one of the most crucial stages of their educational journey. For you, it’s a support tool: one that’ll help you navigate the diverse and individual paths your students are travelling on.

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What SkillSetPlus offers

With our free resources, developed with educators just like you, you can empower your students to channel their natural strengths into so much more by helping them own their learning journey. 

Through modules tackling topics like presenting, spotting misinformation and mentoring, you can show them how to sharpen their strengths and build new skills that’ll make them unstoppable – now and in the future.  

Start by sharing our SkillSetPlus quiz with your students. Each response unlocks a personalised set of modules, which learners can work through at their own pace. Then, our Teacher Guide provides you with scaffolding to help students reflect – and overcome those sticky moments.  

Teacher Guidance
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What's in the modules?

Each module includes a stimulus – an animation, interactive graphic or audio clip. Then, there’s reflection and discussion questions, as well as simple scenario-based activities that’ll help you put their learning into action.  

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How do the modules work in the classroom?

Each module is flexible and designed to fit around you and your students’ schedules. They can be completed by students on their own or with your guidance, during form time, career sessions, one-to-one support time, or even subject lessons – and they take no longer than 45 minutes to finish. For the best experience, try to make sure students have a minimum of one device between two.

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Need more information?

Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions to help you and your students make the most of SkillSetPlus.

Students start by taking a short quiz that helps them identify their strengths, interests and learning style. Based on their results, they’re guided to a personalised set of short, scenario–based modules they can work through at their own pace. Each of these modules aims to help students build and develop one of the three core skills of SkillSetPlus – learning to learn, understanding information or communication.

SkillSetPlus helps students build core skills that they need in a changing world. It’s designed to build their confidence so they feel inspired and ready to take on the next step – whatever it may be. Each of the skills have been identified as an Essential Employment Skill through NFER research. They’re also skills they’ll need if they want to go to university or complete further study – especially if they’re the first in their family to do so.  

Each module takes around 30-45 minutes to complete. Modules can be tackled independently or with your support, and they’re designed to fit flexibly around school timetables. 

No. SkillSetPlus isn’t about exams, grades or right and wrong answers. It’s about reflection, self‑understanding and building confidence through realistic scenarios and guided activities. 

Yes. SkillSetPlus is open to everyone and completely free to access.  

SkillSetPlus was created by The Open University, drawing on our long‑standing expertise in accessible, flexible online learning and our OpenLearn resources. 

The Open University

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