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SECRET Skills

Developing the SECRET Skills at Prospect Primary School

At Prospect Primary School, we are committed to empowering our students to become confident, capable, and compassionate learners. One of the key frameworks that supports this vision is Dan Buckley’s SECRET Skills Framework — a model that nurtures the essential personal and interpersonal skills children need to thrive in learning and in life.

What are the SECRET Skills?

SECRET is an acronym that stands for:

S – Self-Manager
Students learn to take responsibility for their learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. They set goals, manage their time effectively, and reflect on their progress.

E – Effective Participator
Students are encouraged to have a voice and make positive contributions in class and in the wider school community. They learn to take initiative, share ideas, and engage in discussions that lead to action.

C – Creative Thinker
Learners explore new ideas, take risks, and think outside the box. They learn that creativity is not just about art or design — it’s about finding innovative ways to solve problems and express understanding.

R – Reflective Learner
Reflection is a key part of the learning journey. Students are supported to think about what they have learned, how they have learned it, and how they can continue to grow.

E – Enquirer
Curiosity drives learning. As enquirers, students ask questions, investigate ideas, and seek out information to build deeper understanding.

T – Team Worker
Collaboration is at the heart of effective learning. Students learn to listen to others, respect different viewpoints, and work together to achieve shared goals.

Why SECRET Matters

The SECRET framework is woven into all areas of our teaching and learning. It helps students develop the dispositions, mindsets, and capabilities needed for success in the 21st century — from critical and creative thinking to collaboration and resilience.

By explicitly teaching and celebrating the SECRET skills, we help our learners understand how they learn, not just what they learn. These skills connect closely to our Positive Education and wellbeing approaches, ensuring that our students grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

Living the SECRET at Prospect Primary

Across the school, you’ll see the SECRET skills in action — in inquiry projects, team challenges, class reflections, and community events. Students recognise that learning is a journey of discovery, where effort, curiosity, and collaboration lead to growth.

By nurturing the SECRET skills, we are helping every student unlock their full potential — as learners, leaders, and active citizens in a changing world.

Celebrating Character Strengths through Positive Education at Prospect Primary School

At Prospect Primary School, we believe that every child has unique strengths that shape who they are and how they contribute to their world. Our approach to Positive Education is grounded in helping students recognise, understand, and use their Character Strengths — the personal qualities that help us flourish, build positive relationships, and live fulfilling lives.

What Are Character Strengths?

The VIA Institute on Character identifies 24 universal character strengths that reflect the best of who we are. These strengths fall under six key virtues that are valued across cultures and time:

Wisdom – creativity, curiosity, love of learning, perspective, judgment

Courage – bravery, perseverance, honesty, zest

Humanity – love, kindness, social intelligence

Justice – teamwork, fairness, leadership

Temperance – forgiveness, humility, prudence, self-regulation

Transcendence – appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humour, spirituality

Every person has all 24 strengths in different degrees — and learning to identify and use these strengths helps students build confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset.

How We Use Character Strengths in Our School

At Prospect Primary, the language of character strengths is part of everyday learning. Students explore their signature strengths — the traits that come most naturally to them — and learn how to apply these strengths to new challenges, friendships, and goals.

Teachers weave the character strengths into classroom discussions, wellbeing activities, and reflection routines. Whether it’s showing perseverance during a challenging maths problem, teamwork in a group project, or gratitude during circle time, our students are learning that who they are matters as much as what they know.

Why Character Strengths Matter

When students understand and use their strengths, they become more engaged, motivated, and connected. Recognising strengths in themselves and others builds empathy and community — key ingredients for a thriving school culture.

Through Positive Education, we are helping our learners develop a deep sense of self-awareness and wellbeing that extends beyond the classroom. By celebrating character strengths, we’re equipping our students with the tools to navigate life with optimism, courage, and kindness.

At Prospect Primary School, we’re proud to nurture learners who know their strengths — and use them to make a positive difference in the world.