Treehouse Meta-Skills Assemblies
A whole-school approach to embedding timeless life Meta-Skills.
In the educational landscape, "engagement" is the golden metric. But how do you engage students with abstract concepts like critical thinking, integrity, or adaptation?
Our recent collaboration with Tree of Knowledge launched their "Treehouse Meta-Skills Assemblies."
This project was about creating a visual ecosystem that transforms how schools digest Scotland’s Skills 4.0 model.
Here is a look behind the scenes at how we utilised high-impact video and photography to turn a curriculum requirement into a whole-school culture.
The Concept
Schools are required to teach 12 specific "meta-skills" - timeless qualities like focusing, communicating, and collaborating - that young people need to thrive in an unpredictable future. However, the traditional delivery methods (text-heavy packs or standard lectures) often fail to connect with a digital-native generation.
The challenge was to position the Treehouse Meta-Skills Assemblies as an experience which moved away from the abstract and grounded these skills in reality.
The Role of Visual Strategy:
Humanising the Brand: The content had to be led by real personalities, blending humour and science.
Visual Consistency: We needed a visual language that worked just as well in a massive assembly hall as it did in a small classroom.
The Narrative Arc: Every piece of content was scripted to be a "launchpad," sparking curiosity rather than just delivering data.
The Execution
Click here to see the full course module, “Adapting” for free.
1. Video-Led Storytelling We produced a series of video sessions that serve as the heartbeat of the program. By utilising high-quality video, we ensured that the delivery of the message is consistent, regardless of which teacher is pressing play. The videos blend:
Storytelling & Humour: To disarm the audience and build rapport.
Science & Reflection: To provide authority and educational depth.
Interactive Queues: Visual prompts that signal when to play a game or discuss a topic.
The Meta-skills covered are Adapting, Collaborating, Communication, Creativity Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Feeling, Focusing, Initiative, Integrity, Leading & Sense-Making.
2. The Assembly Pack (UX and Design) The Tree of Knowledge team created a digital and physical "Assembly Pack." TODDCS photography was used to break up text, making the step-by-step guides feel accessible rather than overwhelming. The video lessons and this pack ensure that busy teachers can "click and play" with confidence, reducing the friction often associated with new educational programs. Download it here.
The Benefit: High-production value signals authority. When a school sees crisp video and professional photography, it elevates the perceived value of the Tree of Knowledge brand, positioning it as the premium solution in the market.
The Impact
The result is a ready-to-use program that is transforming school communities. By prioritising visual media, we achieved three key marketing and educational goals:
Enhanced Message Retention: Studies consistently show that viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text. The combination of visual storytelling and interactive gaming ensures these meta-skills "stick."
Brand Visibility & Consistency: By creating a "shared language" through video, Tree of Knowledge ensures that their brand voice is heard authentically across year groups and different schools. The visual identity creates a culture that is joyful and visible.
Engagement at Scale: The video-led format removes the pressure from staff. It allows teachers to facilitate rather than perform, leading to higher adoption rates and a more relaxed, receptive learning environment.
The Treehouse Meta-Skills Assemblies prove that when you combine educational expertise with professional content creation, you don't just teach a skill - you spark a movement.
