SkillZONE

Summer Discovery Days

Summer Discovery Days

02/07/2025 Skillzoneadmin , , , No comments

Summer Discovery Days
Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th August 2025
10am – 2pm

Bring your family along to SkillZONE on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th August 10am – 2pm to see our interactive village and learn about safety.
SkillZONE is Gloucestershire’s unique interactive education safety centre. Refreshments available.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at SkillZONE.

 

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How SkillZONE Supports Curriculum Delivery for Teachers

How SkillZONE Supports Curriculum Delivery for Teachers

27/06/2025 Skillzoneadmin , , ,
Bringing PSHE, RSE, and safeguarding to life through immersive, unforgettable learning
Why teachers trust SkillZONE to deliver essential learning
When schools book a visit to SkillZONE, they’re not just getting a day out—they’re investing in powerful, curriculum-linked learning.
SkillZONE bridges the gap between the PSHE classroom and the real world. It reinforces key concepts around safety, relationships, online behaviour, and decision-making, all while aligning with local safeguarding priorities and national frameworks.
For many students, SkillZONE is the first time they’ve seen what “risk” or “danger” actually looks like in the real world. That alone makes it invaluable.

Which curriculum areas does SkillZONE link to?

SkillZONE supports a wide range of subjects and national curriculum goals, especially:
  • PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic)
  • RSE (Relationships and Sex Education)
  • Citizenship
  • SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development)
  • British Values (e.g., rule of law, personal responsibility, liberty)
  • Safeguarding education (contextual safeguarding, exploitation, online safety)
Every scenario in the SkillZONE village is built with these objectives in mind. Teachers can expect sessions that align with key DfE expectations, including:
  • Knowing how to report concerns or abuse
  • Understanding risky behaviours and consent
  • Recognising signs of exploitation
  • Promoting physical, emotional, and online safety
  • Encouraging responsible decision-making in public and private settings
We don’t just tick boxes—we bring these themes to life.

Scenario highlights: how learning connects directly to curriculum goals

Here are some of the most curriculum-relevant scenarios and what they deliver:
🔥 House (Fire Safety)
  • Fire hazards, risk awareness, emergency response (999)
  • Responsibilities in the home
  • Role of adults in creating a safe space
🚌 Bus & 🚆 Train Scenarios
  • Independent travel, safe spaces, and public safeguarding
  • How to seek help in a public place
  • Reporting uncomfortable behaviour
🌐 NetZone (E-safety)
  • Fake profiles, digital footprint, online grooming
  • Linking with statutory RSE guidance on staying safe online
  • How to report inappropriate content or contact
🧥 Sam’s Alley (County Lines)
  • Realistic grooming scenario and signs of exploitation
  • Exploring the idea of coercion, debt, and entrapment
  • Bystander strategies and community responsibility
🔪 Knife or Your Life Board
  • Exploring the consequences of carrying weapons
  • Understanding peer pressure and legal consequences
  • Role-playing safe decisions and trusted adults
🧑‍⚖️ Custody & Courtrooms
  • Understanding consequences, justice, and accountability
  • Reflecting on behaviour and choices
  • Link to rule of law in British Values

Do teachers get pre-made resources?

SkillZONE is currently developing downloadable content through our StreetWIZE programme. This includes:
  • Follow-up activities linked to scenarios
  • Reflection tasks and group discussions
  • PDF worksheets and quiz-style review tasks
Currently, teachers can request bespoke content after visits or speak directly to our team for suggestions on extending learning into the classroom.
We’re also developing:
  • Online game-based follow-ups (Train scenario)
  • Early years safety cards
  • Party or Ponder resources (consent, peer pressure, VAWG)
All of this is designed to support teachers in embedding learning—not just ticking off a one-off event.

What does a teacher’s visit typically involve?

  1. Pre-visit:
    Schools select up to 9 scenarios to match their cohort’s needs. No formal prep is required, though SENCOs and safeguarding leads often get in touch in advance to discuss adjustments.
  2. Arrival and welcome:
    Students are introduced to SkillZONE with a quick quiz to assess prior knowledge, followed by a safety briefing and outline of the visit.
  3. Guided walkthrough:
    Groups of 5–10 are led by trained volunteers who adapt sessions for age, maturity, and ability. Teachers are encouraged to observe and interact.
  4. Post-scenario reflection:
    Students return to the briefing room, re-take the quiz, and compare answers to measure knowledge gain. Teachers often use this to spark post-trip discussions or follow-up work.

How do we support SEND and SEMH settings?

SkillZONE is proud to work closely with special schools, SEMH units, and EHCP students. We:
  • Adjust pace, lighting, and sensory input as required
  • Offer 1:1 support or breakaway sessions if needed
  • Ensure BSL access is available where appropriate
  • Include time for emotional processing and decompression
Some schools use SkillZONE as part of Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) pathways, with bespoke programmes covering:
  • Independent travel
  • Job readiness (Co-Op scenario)
  • Managing emotions in public settings
  • Recognising unhealthy relationships
Feedback from these sessions is consistently positive, with many schools requesting termly return visits.

Can SkillZONE support Ofsted objectives?

While SkillZONE does not provide Ofsted-accredited resources, it supports the wider aims of safeguarding and personal development highlighted in inspection frameworks.
Our visits directly strengthen:
  • The quality of education by providing real-life learning
  • Personal development by exploring relationships, safety, and values
  • Behaviour and attitudes by showing consequences and encouraging empathy
  • The school’s safeguarding culture, by reinforcing disclosures and trusted adult conversations
One headteacher put it like this:
“I wish all children could have the opportunity to visit. It’s so valuable.”

What do teachers say about SkillZONE?

Across hundreds of schools, the feedback is clear: SkillZONE makes a difference.
✅ “Very educational. Lots of children changed their answers by the end of the visit.”
✅ “Students were engaged, the messaging was age-appropriate, and the staff handled difficult topics brilliantly.”
✅ “Even tricky children were completely focused and involved.”
✅ “I’ll be building this into our long-term PSHE plan. The learning is too important to be one-off.” (verbal teacher feedback)

Do schools return? Do we see progress?

Yes.
  • Many schools rebook annually for different year groups
  • SEMH and PfA cohorts attend on termly rotations
  • Clickapad quizzes show consistent improvement in knowledge across all ages
  • Virtual session feedback showed >90% engagement and retention
Some schools combine SkillZONE with a wider safety strategy—using our visit as a launch point for assemblies, writing projects, or safeguarding audits.

How can teachers make the most of SkillZONE?

We recommend:
  • Choosing scenarios based on your current PSHE/RSE planning
  • Letting us know any needs in advance (e.g. EHCPs, trauma sensitivities)
  • Using the pre/post quizzes to measure change
  • Following up with class discussions, writing tasks, or creative reflection
  • Asking us about StreetWIZE or party resources to extend learning
Our team is always available to discuss how your visit can support your long-term aims—not just your one-off trip.

Final thought

SkillZONE isn’t just a nice day out. It’s a structured, curriculum-aligned experience that takes theory and makes it real. Whether you’re teaching Year 3
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Safety Learning Designed for Every Age: SkillZONE and the Early Years

Safety Learning Designed for Every Age: SkillZONE and the Early Years

27/06/2025 Skillzoneadmin , , , ,

Why safety education before age 7 really matters

By the time a child enters Key Stage 2, many core behaviours and beliefs about safety are already formed. Whether it’s how to cross a road, play safely in the garden, or react to danger—they’ve already picked up a lot. Some of it is good. Some of it could be putting them at risk.
That’s why SkillZONE doesn’t just wait for Year 6.
We believe early safety learning is critical, especially as data shows that:
  • Most accidents involving under-7s happen in or around the home
  • Young children are less able to assess risk or articulate fear
  • Habits around matches, sockets, animals, roads, and strangers are often learnt through observation, not direct teaching
Getting it right early isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence, awareness, and memory.

What Early Years and KS1 options does SkillZONE offer?

While our core offer is built for Years 3–6, we’ve tailored provision for:
  • Reception & KS1 school visits (by request or custom days)
  • Early Years open events twice per year (nurseries, pre-schools, parents)
  • Targeted sessions in partnership with local authorities and safeguarding teams
These sessions are shorter, more focused, and adapted to suit younger attention spans. They still include real-world environments like:
  • A safe version of the house scenario
  • Road safety zone
  • Park environment
  • Fire safety props and smoke alarms
  • Interaction with volunteers and uniforms (positive contact with authority)
To book one, educators simply email SkillZONE directly to discuss their group needs and date options.

How do we balance realism and accessibility?

The line between “impactful” and “overwhelming” is a fine one—especially for EY and KS1 learners. That’s why our team adapts every early years visit based on:
  • Age
  • Group size
  • SEN/SEND needs
  • Behavioural or trauma background
We reduce lighting, remove strong sounds, and slow down the pace where needed. Our trained volunteers use visual prompts, open questions, and simple repetition to embed key messages—without inducing fear.
And when it’s needed, we also create bespoke walkthroughs with 1:1 support for schools with EHCP-heavy cohorts or specialist units.

What are the key safety themes for early learners?

For young children, it’s not about “crime” or “grooming.” It’s about:
  • Who keeps you safe?
  • What should you do if something feels wrong?
  • What do danger and safety look like?
Common early topics include:
  • Fire safety (don’t touch matches, stop-drop-roll, smoke alarms)
  • Stranger awareness (who is a safe adult?)
  • Crossing roads and visibility
  • Not going off alone
  • Asking for help (safe adults, 999)
  • Garden safety (barbecues, fire pits, ponds)
  • Online basics (in KS1 NetZone visits: recognising when something’s not right)
We use scenarios and visual prompts—not lectures. One of our volunteers might show a firework, ask “Is this safe to touch?”, or walk students through a safe way to cross the road using a real traffic setup.

How do we support EY teachers and support staff?

Everything starts with a conversation.
We don’t send out blanket packs or overcomplicate the process. Instead, our bookings team listens to:
  • The class’s current PSHE focus
  • Any trauma-sensitive needs
  • Behavioural support structures in place
  • Whether the school is SEMH or SEND-focused
  • What the teacher wants pupils to walk away with
From there, we build a visit around the group—not the other way around.
We also welcome TAs, SENCOs, and 1:1 support staff to participate actively. Staff are invited to ask questions, observe delivery, and even co-lead if they want.

What do schools say about our early learning approach?

We’ve had consistent praise for how we engage young learners, even from schools with complex needs:
“The children haven’t stopped talking about it. I have some quite tricky children and they were all engaged and catered for brilliantly.”
— Woodside School
“They really loved it and were buzzing all afternoon!”
— Northway Infants
“The children enjoyed identifying all the hazards in the house. Having been to SkillZONE previously, I would suggest it was the next best thing to actually being there.”
— Virtual session feedback, 2021
Teachers report increased knowledge, confidence, and conversations long after the visit. Some go home and ask parents about fire safety. Others talk to siblings about 999 calls and road crossings. The messages stick.

What about home-educated learners?

SkillZONE is proud to run dedicated sessions for home educators twice per year.
These sessions offer:
  • Full access to the village
  • Flexible grouping
  • Slower pace for discussion
  • Free or subsidised access (based on availability)
Parents are welcome to join their children throughout the visit, and we provide safety resources they can continue using at home. Home educators can request bookings via our website or by emailing the team.

Can community groups and nurseries get involved?

Yes—SkillZONE is open to:
  • Nursery groups and EYFS clusters
  • Cubs, Scouts, and Rainbows
  • Youth clubs and holiday schemes
  • Community centres and mutual aid groups
Groups that hire the space can often request early years-focused walkthroughs or joint sessions with parents. The only requirement is a conversation—tell us your group’s age, goals, and context, and we’ll do the rest.

Do early sessions have measurable impact?

Yes. Here’s what we see:
  • Increased correct answers in quizzes and verbal Q&A
  • Behavioural changes reported by staff and parents
  • High rebooking rates from early years teams
  • Clear engagement from pupils (especially those with SEMH/SEND)
In some sessions, we’ve had pupils with low speech or developmental needs participate verbally for the first time. In others, young children have shown greater confidence identifying risks in their own homes.
Even virtual early years sessions during lockdown were described as:
“Interactive, enjoyable, and exactly the kind of thing children remember.”

So what’s next?

In the next year, we’re looking to expand:
  • Our Early Years open day model
  • Partnerships with Family Hubs and Children’s Centres
  • The development of an early years digital resource pack
  • A tailored strand of our Party or Ponder resource for KS1+
We also plan to integrate more sensory-safe resources and alternative communication options to support non-verbal or speech-delayed children.

Final thought

Young children don’t need lectures—they need experiences. And that’s exactly what SkillZONE offers. We help children feel the difference between safe and unsafe. That memory—of a buzzing fire alarm, or a volunteer showing them how to cross the road—can last a lifetime.
Whether you’re an EYFS teacher, nursery manager, parent, or SENCO—we’re ready to support your young learners on their journey to staying safe.
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A Day at SkillZONE: What to Expect and Why It Matters

A Day at SkillZONE: What to Expect and Why It Matters

27/06/2025 Skillzoneadmin , , ,

What is SkillZONE and who is it for?

SkillZONE is a life-sized interactive safety village based in Gloucester, run by Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Prevention Team. Designed for KS2 and KS3 students, SkillZONE lets young people learn essential life safety skills by stepping into real-world settings—without the real-world risks.
Inside our village, learners can explore:
  • Road safety zone
  • Lower and upper house (covering fire safety and hoax calls)
  • Full-size Stagecoach bus
  • Park scenario
  • Wellbeing space
  • NetZone (online safety)
  • Train carriage with live screens and sensory cues
  • Knife or Your Life board (serious violence)
  • Custody suite and Magistrates court
  • Co-Op shop (gambling, underage purchasing, trading standards)
  • Water safety and beach zone
  • Dark Alley (ASB awareness)
  • Derelict building and construction site
  • Sam’s Alley (County Lines walkthrough)
SkillZONE is free for most schools and accessible for children with SEND. This is not your average PSHE session—this is experiential learning that sticks.

Where it all began

SkillZONE’s founding mission was to reduce preventable harm among children and young people by offering immersive, scenario-based learning. Originally focused on fire safety, the village has evolved over time in response to local and national risks.
Recent changes include:
  • Replacing our flooding scenario
  • Updating our double-decker bus to a more realistic single decker
  • Installing the Knife or Your Life board (2023)
  • Launching our County Lines Alley (Sam’s Alley)
  • Adding a derelict building scenario in response to rising youth trespassing
We haven’t shifted away from fire safety—far from it. Serious violence, exploitation, and online safety have simply been added to our remit, aligned with the Serious Violence Duty now adopted by GFRS.

What does a typical visit look like?

School visits run either 10:00–11:30am or 12:45–2:15pm, and are booked for up to 40 students. Teachers select nine scenarios tailored to their priorities—be it water safety, knife crime, or e-safety.
Upon arrival, students complete a quick interactive quiz before receiving the rules and structure of the visit. They’re then split into groups of 5–10 and led by trained volunteers through each scenario. Every stop lasts 10 minutes and focuses on key PSHE, safeguarding, and citizenship learning outcomes. The visit wraps up with a repeat quiz to reinforce key messages and measure what’s been learned.

What makes SkillZONE different from other school trips?

We’re not a museum. We’re not a fire station tour. And we’re not a one-off workshop either.
SkillZONE is a real-world village built with learning at its core. It’s interactive, emotional, sensory, and personal. Unlike typical trips, we:
  • Use realistic environments (burnt-out bedroom, dark alley, working train)
  • Are led by trained volunteers, many with front-line experience
  • Deliver free or funded travel for many schools
  • Focus equally on education and memory—because learning that’s felt, is remembered
As one teacher put it:
“This is prevention work that makes a difference. The children haven’t stopped talking about it.”

Who delivers the sessions?

SkillZONE is run by staff, trained volunteers, and occasionally emergency services professionals. Our volunteers are the heart of our operation—they bring their own lived experience from lifeguarding, policing, paramedicine, and more.
Each volunteer is trained in how to deliver the SkillZONE experience and adapt it for different age groups and needs. Their enthusiasm, patience, and ability to make things relatable is part of what makes every visit memorable.

How do our scenarios support PSHE and safeguarding?

Every scenario is mapped to key PSHE themes, from online safety to real-world responsibility. For example:
  • Co-Op Shop & Bus: Teach about safe spaces in Gloucester (reducing risk of DV, stalking, and ASB)
  • NetZone: Tackles identity theft, grooming, and digital reputation
  • Sam’s Alley: Brings County Lines and grooming to life using visuals and lived scenarios
  • Knife or Your Life: Shows the real-world impact of carrying a weapon
  • House Fire: Encourages home fire plans and reminds pupils about adult responsibilities (e.g., smoking risks)
Every session has a built-in safeguarding message: What is your role in staying safe, and what can you do if something feels wrong?

What impact does SkillZONE actually have?

Our evaluation data and survey responses show consistent themes:
  • Students increase knowledge (measured by quiz scores before and after the visit)
  • Teachers report behavioural change—students go home testing smoke alarms, talking to parents, and remembering key phrases like “Get out, stay out, call 999”
  • Visits prompt reflection—especially during high-impact scenarios like our fire room or custody suite
  • SEND groups and youth orgs return regularly, noting that their pupils are “engaged the entire time”

Who else benefits from SkillZONE?

It’s not just schools. We’re proud to support:
  • Home-educating families (dedicated sessions twice per year)
  • Youth groups like Scouts and Cubs
  • Early years centres and nurseries
  • Colleges and SEMH units via our Preparation for Adulthood programme
  • Partner organisations like Police, NHS, and community services who use the space
One headteacher recently told us:
“You modified the tours to suit my noise-sensitive group. I wish all children could visit.”

How do we make visits accessible?

SkillZONE supports SEND, SEMH, and EAL pupils through a range of adaptations:
  • Visual and auditory triggers can be reduced or removed on request
  • BSL support available
  • Extra adults can accompany smaller groups
  • We work closely with SENCOs and TAs prior to the visit
  • Transport is funded for schools in high-need or previously unserved areas

What’s next for the village?

We’re constantly evolving.
Planned developments include:
  • A re-vamped farm safety zone
  • Updated e-safety and wellbeing scenarios
  • A new KS2 knife crime scenario
  • The launch of Party or Ponder, an interactive workshop exploring healthy relationships, ASB, VAWG, and consent
We’re also exploring digital and outreach versions of our most impactful content—for schools and students who can’t physically visit.

Final thoughts

SkillZONE is more than just a trip. It’s a transformational experience for many students—especially those who haven’t had access to this kind of learning before. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, community lead, or youth worker, we welcome you to bring your group and see for yourself what SkillZONE can offer.
To book or find out more, visit:
👉 https://skillzone.glosfire.gov.uk
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SkillZONE to offer free safety lessons to Year 5 pupils

SkillZONE to offer free safety lessons to Year 5 pupils

27/04/2016 Skillzoneadmin

Primary schools in Gloucestershire are being invited to bring their Year 5 pupils for a free visit to the county’s only safety centre SkillZONE.

Between September this year and March 2016 SkillZONE will be offering all primary, junior and special school pupils in Year 5 the chance to visit the centre and learn more about road, home and fire safety and much more.

Skillzone, which opened three years ago, has an indoor village that gives groups the chance to experience a range of realistic scenarios in a bid to help young people and their families to stay safe.

Thousands of young people have already been to SkillZONE and evidence shows that they remember vitally important safety information that could help reduce accidents for years to come.

SkillZONE will be contacting primary schools during September inviting them to book a free trip for Year 5 students through its online booking system.

The work is linked to Gloucestershire’s new PINK Curriculum and supports the PSHE work taking place in schools.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure said, “I am delighted that the county council has been able to support these valuable life skill lessons for every Year 5 child in Gloucestershire. These children will take away essential life skills which they can share with their families too.”

All school groups will be taught about road safety, fire safety and hazards in the home and teachers will be able to choose a further six scenarios covering areas such as water safety, online activity, criminal justice, personal safety or eating healthily.

To find out more information about SkillZONE visit http://www.skillzonetest.co.uk.co.uk/

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Family open day at Gloucester South Fire Station and SkillZONE

Family open day at Gloucester South Fire Station and SkillZONE

01/09/2015 Jordan Neininger

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service will throw open its doors and welcome residents to their open day on Saturday 5th September.

A host of free activities will be on offer at SkillZONE and Gloucester South Fire Station on Tuffley Lane from 12 noon until 4pm.

The free event will feature a host of activities including fire and rescue displays, road safety activities and demonstrations.

The demonstrations will include rescues from smoke filled buildings and how cars are cut open following a road traffic collision.

Gloucestershire Telecare Service, Gloucestershire Constabulary, RNLI, Network Rail and British Transport Police will also be present, and children can meet police and prison dogs.

Visitors will also be able to learn more about SkillZONE, the newest safety centre in the country, and meet the volunteers who give safety advice to all sections of our community.

The Road Safety Partnership will be providing a number of displays and activities including go karting and free bike checks, so please bring your bikes along.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member responsible for community safety said, “Our fire station open days help us get some serious messages out there through a fantastic free day out for all the family. We want people to come along and have some fun while learning a few simple ways to stay safe.”

Stewart Edgar, chief fire officer for Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service said, “This event is an opportunity to visit our state of the art safety centre and your local fire station. You can also pick up some tips for staying safe and well.”

Follow SkillZONE on twitter @GlosSkillZONE 

SkillzoneOpenDay-A4-Poster-v11

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How can we stop school violence?

How can we stop school violence?

14/08/2015 Skillzoneadmin , ,

By law, schools are required to report violent incidents and states are required to make that information public. Few states are following this mandate. In the aftermath of yet another agonizing, senseless school shooting, it’s impossible not to ask how can we prevent this from ever happening again.

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