Founded by The Peter Vardy Foundation, Gen+ is a unique leadership and meta-skills programme which equips young learners with tools for success through in-classroom learning. Meta-skills, also known as “learning to learn” skills, are timeless, transferable, and uniquely human skills that empower young people to face new challenges and succeed in any area of learning, work, and life. The programme launched in 2022 with a pilot in a selected number of Scottish schools, and we are now running the programme in 17 Local Authority areas in Scotland with over 14,000 secondary pupils having now engaged with the course.  

Key Components of Gen+ Learn: 

• An innovative curriculum offering lessons in critical meta-skills: communication, collaboration, initiative, leadership, resilience, organisation, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking for pupils from P6 to S3 
• The programme is informed by collaboration with critical stakeholders: young people, their educators, and Education Scotland. The views of young people have been central to product development and lesson iterations.  
• A cutting-edge learning platform utilising an ed-tech model which incorporates gaming dynamics to enhance student engagement. This has been integrated into Glow providing schools secure access.
• Teacher-led, classroom-based lessons facilitated by digital, e-learning resources promoting active learning and practical application of knowledge.
• Learners develop a digital skills profile that tracks their knowledge acquisition and records their achievements (in line with recommendations for a Scottish Diploma of Achievement). 
• Learners will be able to achieve an SCQF Level 4 qualification (Accreditation Body – Edinburgh Napier).
• Alignment with national educational strategies and frameworks, including Skills Development Scotland’s Skills 4.0 and the Curriculum for Excellence, supports schools and LAs in delivering on key government objectives. 

Gen+ Teach – Teacher Empowerment:

Gen+ Teach is a comprehensive CLPL programme offered to all participating schools. A digital learning library, training seminars, workshops and webinars are designed to upskill all school staff in meta-skills development and education, facilitating the implementation of a school-wide skills framework. A Leadership in Education course, developed with the University of Strathclyde, offers further, accessible, quality professional development mapped to GTCS standards. 

Impact Insights

• A robust evaluation model has been crafted with guidance from the Robert Owen Centre, University of Glasgow.
• The Gen+ programme allows schools to monitor, track and evidence learners’ development and demonstration of skills, driving attainment and recognising learners’ achievement.
• The 2024 interim report highlights encouraging insights into the positive impact on learners’ skills education, including increased confidence and self-efficacy across all cohorts.