Learn
GEN+ Learn
Meta-Skills
Made Easy
A leadership and meta-skills programme that equips young learners aged 9-14 in Scotland with tools for success through in-classroom learning.
Live
Our Impact Report is live
In our first year, the Gen+ programme has empowered schools, teachers, and pupils to embed essential meta-skills like communication, collaboration, and adaptability into their daily learning experiences. The results are transformative—both in classrooms and beyond.
Our lessons make skills tangible. Pupils gain hands-on experience applying meta-skills in ways that are practical and relevant. From active listening to leadership, they leave each lesson more prepared for their future.
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Gen+ Learning Pathway
Designed for pupils aged 9 to 14, our programme spans from P6/7 primary education to S3 secondary school, offering 4 courses that progressively develop skills and learning using pedagogy appropriate to age and ability levels.
PRIMARY 6/7
Explorer
Exploring skills as part of the transition to secondary school.
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Resilience
SECONDARY 1
Trailblazer
At the start of their secondary journey, learners develop and embed robust knowledge and understanding of meta-skills.
• Communication
• Organisation
• Resilience
SECONDARY 2
Gamechanger
Building on their Trailblazer foundation, learners continue applying, honing and articulating their meta-skills strengths in the Gamechanger course.
• Collaboration
• Initiative
• Leadership
SECONDARY 3
Innovator
Having emerged from Trailblazer and Gamechanger as full-fledged meta-skills leaders, learners are expected to apply their meta-skills knowledge to novel challenges in the Innovator course.
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
SECONDARY 3
Industry Innovator
Visualising the use of meta-skills in real world entrepreneurial experiences, through engagement with local innovative small businesses.
Primary 6/7
Explorer
Meet our Primary Programme
SKILLS:
Communication
Collaboration
Leadership
Resilience
SKILLS
P6 — Communication, Collaboration
P7 — Reslience, Leadership
LESSONS
4 x 45 minute lessons per unit
8 fully resourced digital lessons for teacher-led learning
FEATURES
Through active discussion and hands-on learning, learners develop practical meta-skills—like communicating clearly, working with others and bouncing back from challenges—in ways that feel natural and useful for the next stage of school.
SECONDARY 1-3
Trailblazer, Gamechanger & Innovator
Meet Our Secondary Programmes
Our Curriculum & Pedagogy
Gen+ Learn combines a research-backed curriculum with innovative pedagogy, using strategies like retrieval practice, Absorb-Do-Connect frameworks, and inquiry-based activities to deepen meta-skills development.
Lessons
4, 40 minute lessons per unit/ skill.
Interactive lessons, grounded in real-world challenges to equip students with a practical skills toolkit and essential vocabulary for future success.
Features
Secondary learners explore and apply essential meta-skills through a mix of solo, paired, and group activities that prompt them to think for themselves, work with others, and express their ideas clearly.
Each session introduces practical meta-skills tools, followed by varied, engaging tasks like challenges, roleplay, and real-life scenarios that help pupils use the skill in context.
Lessons wrap up with written reflection, discussion, and take-it-further prompts that encourage deeper thinking and interdisciplinary connections across school, community, and future pathways.
Trailblazer
At the start of their secondary journey, learners develop and embed robust knowledge and understanding of meta-skills.
The Trailbazer course equips them to become confident and clear communicators, well-organised and prepared for the increased demands of school life and extracurriculars.
They leave Trailblazer feeling ready to handle the new challenges and changes of this school chapter with resilience.
TRAILBLAZER SKILLS
Communication
Organisation
Resilience
Gamechanger
Building on their Trailblazer foundation, learners continue applying, honing and articulating their meta-skills strengths in the Gamechanger course.
They refine their abilities to contribute to and work more effectively within teams, as groupwork opportunities increase in their real lives.
And as they become more involved in their communities at school and beyond, the Gamechanger course builds their confidence to take initiative and demonstrate leadership to make a positive social impact.
GAMECHANGER SKILLS
Collaboration
Initiative
Leadership
Innovator
Having emerged from Trailblazer and Gamechanger as full-fledged meta-skills leaders, learners are expected to apply their meta-skills knowledge to novel challenges in the Innovator course.
The course’s projects provide learners with a chance to link their meta-skills knowledge and confidence to real-world problems and the world of work.
Along the way, they develop higher-order meta-skills, such as creativity and critical thinking, preparing them to drive innovation and solve complex issues.
INNOVATOR SKILLS
Adaptability
Creativity
Critical Thinking
We want every child to
discover and develop their
unique skills and talents.
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!
- 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, this is a flat fee per annum based on the size of your school roll. Secondary Schools: based on S1-S3 combined roll o SEC A: <250 pupils = £750 per annum o SEC B: <500 pupils = £1500 per annum o SEC C: >500 pupils = £2000 per annum Primary schools: based on P6-P7 combined roll o PRI A: <50 pupils = £150 o PRI B: <100 pupils = £200 o PRI C: <250 pupils = £250
- 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.