The holistic skills of value

As the UK ends the 10-day period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it is a pertinent time to reflect on the life skills students learn in school which mirror those exhibited by the much-loved monarch. All too often, we tend to focus on the measurable, academic attainments of students, yet what our young people learn throughout their school career goes beyond grades and percentages. Through school, students get the opportunity to develop many skills which are transferable into life, particularly as they get older and have to navigate the complexities of adulthood and work.

Many primary teachers took to social media in the last week to joke that all that training students had received as youngsters stood them in good stead whilst waiting in the queue to visit the Queen’s casket. Jokes about the British proficiency at queuing aside, listening to and responding appropriately to instructions, being considerate of others, and working collaboratively are just some of the holistic skills students learn at school. Students learn the value of patience – at school, rewards are rarely earned immediately but come after hours, days, months, even years of dedication, perseverance and diligence (yet more valuable life skills young people develop). Students are given ample opportunity to work with and alongside others, to celebrate their successes and learn from their failures. Students are taught to collaborate effectively, but also to work independently, to carve their own path and make their own discoveries.

As the people of the UK – and worldwide – reflect on the incredible, historical events of the last two weeks, many are thinking of the values the late Queen exemplified: commitment, dedication, respect for others, resilience, humility. These are holistic skills which our young people develop and hone at school where they are presented with challenges day-in, day-out. The way in which the Queen navigated the many trials and tribulations she faced both personally and publicly, with the eyes of the world trained on her at these times, shows how it important it is to develop those skills to help our young people be fully prepared for the difficulties they will face in their own life both in and out of the classroom.