About
Empower
Future
Leaders
Proudly supported
by The Peter Vardy
Foundation
Improving young people’s
outcomes is at the heart of
everything we do
Motivation
A curriculum for success
As a team of educators, we wanted to provide more opportunities for learners to develop crucial leadership and meta-skills. That’s why we set out to create Gen+, a programme designed to empower young people with the tools they need to succeed and to help them to recognise their unique skills and talents.
Collaboration
Finding the right collaborators
When we started building Gen+, we knew we needed the right team of experts to bring our vision to life. With the support of the Peter Vardy Foundation, we were able to assemble a group of teachers and educational technologists who share our passion for helping young people thrive. Together, we’ve created a programme that we’re truly proud of.
Ambition
Dreaming big
Our ultimate goal with Gen+ is to make sure that every young person in Scotland has access to the kind of education that will set them up for a bright future. With that goal in mind, we’re constantly working to improve and expand our programme, so that we can reach more learners and teachers and make an even greater impact.
Values
Practising what we preach
Values-based leadership is fundamental to our Gen+ Learn and Teach leadership teachings, and equally guides our organisation’s approach to work. Our values include tenacity – holding fast to our cause; joy and adventure – encouraging playful modes of learning and bringing our own humour and enthusiasm to what we do; and teamwork and inclusion – prioritising our partnerships and working openly, trusting boldly and leading bravely.
Endeavour
Improvement driven by curiosity
Gen+ is an endeavour in innovation. To us, innovation means curiosity and the drive to always improve. We regularly refresh and develop our curriculum through user testing, focus groups, and feedback. We restlessly ask how can we make Gen+ better for pupils and teachers, and see this quest not as a challenge but as an opportunity.
Bring Gen+
to your school
Our Targets
- Active in 15 local authorities
- 12,390 young people developing understanding of their strengths
- 650 teachers engaged in Gen+
Our Team
A team built on
classroom experience
We are a team of educators and creative, innovative individuals who are passionate about inspiring young people and other educators through engaging content and interactive learning, to realise their potential and be the best leaders they can be.
Victoria Vardy
CEO
Becca Dobson
Director of Education
Carolyn Timar
Finance Manager
Lydia Cawley
Director of Product
Helenor Farquharson
Operations and Compliance Co-ordinator
Lucy Morrison
Communications and Marketing Manager
Our board of trustees & advisors
Peter Vardy
Founder & Chairman
Alastair Grier
Trustee
James Macleay
Trustee
Steven Davis
Trustee
OUR PARTNERS
Agency of None
Website design, development & motion graphics.
Daydream Believers
Visual development and lesson design.
Each & Other
User experience support and development.
Edly
Development of ed-tech platform.
Racoon Gang
Instructional design and lesson development.
Thinkfour
Production for engaging lesson videos.
FAQs
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information!
- Which subject/faculty delivers the lessons?The lessons can be delivered across any subject area of the curriculum, including PSHE, Wider-Achievement or DYW. We believe that skills acquisition and knowledge apply cross-curricularly.
Our primary Explorer programme has flexibility for lessons to fit within specific subjects, themes and topics, as part of a project or as part of the more general Health and Wellbeing curriculum.
Those lessons specifically aimed at supporting the transition to secondary school process, can form part of the wider transition programme with delivery in both the primary and secondary school settings, as the individual school / cluster see most suitable. - Are the lessons inclusive for all levels and abilities?Our lessons and resources are accessed via our Web App. The lessons are interactive and engaging and pitched to inspire thought and challenge the pupils appropriately through the use of accessible language and visuals. Resources can be completed as printed worksheets or through software including OneNote. The lessons are classroom facilitated and designed to be teacher-led.
- How much lesson time does the programme need to be allocated on the timetable?
Our Explorer programme includes 6 core lessons focused on key meta-skills for P6 and P7, plus 2 additional lessons to support the P7–S1 transition, totalling 8 lessons, with more in development.
In secondary, our Trailblazer (S1) and Gamechanger (S2) courses each include 3 units of 4 lessons, plus an introduction and wrap-up — 14 lessons per year. The project-based S3 course includes 10 lessons.
Altogether, the secondary programme offers 38 flexible lessons, ideally delivered weekly and linked to your whole-school skills framework or IDL projects.
Each lesson takes 40–50 minutes, however teachers can use the elements most relevant to their setting.
- Is the programme open to both local authority and private schools?Both state-funded and independent schools can deliver the programme. The only requirements are enthusiasm for skills and personal development in your pupils!
- Can my primary school get involved if our associated/linked high school is not running the programme?Of course! We're happy to have a chat with you and your linked school to share more about how Meta-Skills can support the transition to Secondary school.
- How can my school get involved?You can find out more by contacting us here.
- Is there a cost to the school/LA?There is, we're been able to bring our annual cost down for both Primary and Secondary schools: Secondary Schools: £500 Primary Schools: £100
- How does Gen+ select schools to work with?Individual schools can make an approach to us either directly or via their local authority. We have a mission to engage with schools across the country, from all 32 local authorities, thereby offering all pupils the opportunity to participate in the programme.
- How does the programme help schools fulfil the SDS (Skills Development Scotland) Skills 4.0 agenda?Each of the nine key meta-skill principles central to the programme have been identified through Skills 4.0 as essential for the future workforce. By delivering this programme, schools can easily embed a skills development framework into their curriculum to complement existing provisions and projects. Pupils will become familiar with consistent skills language and grow in confidence of their knowledge, understanding and ability to articulate and demonstrate these skills.
- Are meta-skills not already taught in schools?Most schools have either an established or developing skills framework however there is no standard curriculum for skills development at present. At both Scottish Government and local authority level, this has been identified as a priority, to complement the existing work of Education Scotland, the Curriculum for Excellence, Skills Development Scotland, and Developing the Young Workforce.
Many projects and programmes do currently exist which develop meta-skills within pupils, but they are mostly extra-curricular, not a part of core teaching and learning, which is where our lessons sit.
- I’m not a teacher. How can I still get involved with Gen+ Teach?We offer a variety of opportunities for non-educators to contribute to Gen+ Teach. Perhaps you are a business or tech leader who would like to contribute your skills knowhow to teachers through an article or a webinar? Please reach out to hello@genplus.co.uk if you would like to get involved.
- How do I gain access to Gen+ Teach Library?All staff at Gen+ schools have access to the Gen+ Teach library through their school logins, including support for learning and non-teaching staff. When you login, you will see the Gen+ Teach Library dashboard.
- Will my school require ICT devices to run the programme or can it be delivered offline?Teachers require access to ICT to access learning and teaching resources, however learners can participate using printed resources or complete using software including OneNote.
- How do I gain access to the Gen+ app as a teacher?Your school’s lead teacher will register on behalf of the school and invite other teachers by email. Once invited, you’ll create a password and gain full access for the year.