The Personal Capabilities Programme, born in 1999 at the Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University, encourages opportunities for children to develop a range of generic personal skills and capabilities, such as teamwork, self management, creativity, communication, problem solving, tenacity and a positive self image.
Our research has involved teachers to help us learn about the different strategies that can help develop children’s knowledge and understanding of Personal Capabilities. We know that by being explicit about the skills and capabilities we’re developing, using active teaching and learning strategies to truthfully embed the skills through core subjects like Science can have a really positive effect. We also believe that encouraging children to actively self and peer review using verbal, visual and written forms of self and peer assessment, allows them to become more responsible for their learning.
Infusing the PCs into teaching focuses on the 'way' children learn, stimulating active, motivating and engaging learning. We encourage them to think of themselves as 'active learners’. By developing Personal Capabilities we can develop Better Learners.
There are 10 Personal Capabilities (PCs):
Teamwork: working well in groups and teams
Creativity: thinking of, sharing and playing with new or unusual ideas
Communication: communicating opinions and feelings appropriately
Tenacity: sticking at a task in order to meet deadlines
Self Management: taking charge of one's learning
Positive Self Image: valuing oneself and one's achievements
Self Motivation: being motivated to do what needs to be done
Critical Thinking: critically reviewing and evaluating what you do and how you do it
Problem Solving: working towards a solution by analysing a problem and forming strategies
Social Intelligence: responding appropriately to different people and situations
How PCs fit in with current initiatives
DfES publications have outlined how these skills and capabilities enhance learning by creating more cooperative, creative and inclusive environments. Every Child Matters (2003) set out the need to help every child achieve his/her potential. By ‘Enjoying and Achieving’ such strategies help children get the most out of life and develop the skills for adulthood. The Personal Capabilities are the skills that all children need to do well in learning and in life.
This resource enables schools, through the context of science, to address key aims of Every Child Matters,
By ‘Enjoying & Achieving’ children will:
- achieve stretching national educational standards at primary school
- achieve personal & social development.
By ‘Making a Positive Contribution’ children will:
- engage in positive behaviour, in and out of school
- develop positive relationships
- develop self confidence & successfully deal with significant life changes
and challenges - develop enterprising behaviour.
Significant links can be made between the Personal Capabilities and other English educational initiatives, e.g. Social Emotional Aspects of Learning; Speaking and Listening; PSHE Science Enquiry Skills. Further links can be drawn with The Revised Curriculum for Northern Ireland which targets the development of Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities; and the common requirements of the National Curriculum in Wales which includes Thinking Skills, PSE and Communication Skills.