Character Curriculum
Introduction
The Character Curriculum intent is driven by our Brislington Vision. It is designed to enable our students to have the confidence and resilience to stand as first amongst equals.
The Olympic spirit states:
‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part…’
The Character Curriculum also channels this sentiment. At Oasis Academy Brislington the experiences students have whilst with us are equally important as the grades they achieve. Students develop, grow and thrive by taking advantage of and embracing all the opportunities on offer.
The Character Curriculum, like the Olympic spirit, is applicable in everyday life for both our students and adults alike. The way the Olympic spirit inspires athletes and non-athletes to achieve their best, our Character Curriculum supports our students to be the best version of themselves.
The 5 Strands
The holistic character education for our students is supported by five strands:
- 9 Habits
- Period 6 REACH
- Careers
- Trips & Experiences
- Student Leadership
Click on each of the headings below to find out more.
- The Character Curriculum Learning Journey
- 9 Habits
- Period 6 REACH
- Careers
- Trips and Experiences
- Student Leadership
The Character Curriculum Learning Journey
9 Habits
The 9 Habits help develop a way of life that is characterised by being
considerate, compassionate, humble, joyful, honest, hopeful, self-controlled, patient and forgiving. This does not happen by chance – it has to be practiced and internalised. We believe by continually developing our character, we become the best version of ourselves which is vitally important for everyone.
9 Habits Ambassadors work with staff and other student leaders to raise awareness of each habit. They work on key projects to help students to develop each habit which in turn matures their character and the positive culture of the Academy.
Year 7 and 8, students can apply for the position of a 9 Habits Ambassador in the summer term after the May half term holiday. The team of Ambassadors meet with the lead member of staff before the summer holidays to start planning assemblies and projects for the next academic year. Students stay in their role for one academic year.
Period 6 REACH
Oasis Academy Brislington is PROUD to be able to offer a wide range of activities after the traditional school day ends.
The REACH programme currently runs from 3.10pm to 4.10pm, Monday to Thursday and enables students to engage in a vast variety of clubs and sports activities.
Some activities have a long standing tradition, whilst others are more recent initiatives like the Fitness club and Perfect Plate cooking club.
These are well attended, oversubscribed clubs which allow students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical way. Specific clubs such as Rugby Academy and Netball Academy have been developed to enable talented players to acquire specific skills. Staff from Bristol Rugby and Bath Netball team coach students at various points across the academic year, providing great opportunities for students to work with professional coaches to further their skills.
Clubs such as homework club support students to complete all their assignments on time and to a high standard. In year 11, all subjects offer intervention sessions to help students understand difficult concepts and prepare them for their exams. More revision is offered during some academy holidays, alongside our Boost programme and Brislington Prep (remote online sessions in the evenings). We've also introduced small group tutoring in many subject areas.
Careers
You can find information regarding Careers Guidance here.
Trips and Experiences
Opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom is an integral
part of the Character Curriculum and for student personal development.
Participating in trips and other experiences is a great way to enjoy a unique learning experience outside the classroom. Trips and experiences are not only fun, but they also allow students to absorb, interact and immerse themselves into a world beyond the classroom. Learning outside the classroom contributes significantly to the academic, personal, social and emotional development of all our students.
What are the key benefits of trips?
· Students are more likely to retain information and being involved in visual and practical experiences which will help students to remember, learn and understand subject content.
· They will help to reinforce classroom materials, bringing lessons to life. School trips give students the opportunity to visualise, experience and discuss information on a subject.
· They offer students a unique cultural learning experience. It allows students to be involved in new environments; key to encouraging curiosity about a given subject. It is also valuable as an exercise in broadening their understanding of the world and their place within it.
· Educational trips encourage the development of social, personal and study skills. Research shows that students become more confident, creative and are displaying leadership qualities during out of class experiences..
What sort of trips and experiences are there?
Despite the current climate, over 45 trips and experiences are planned for the 2021-22 academic year, with even more exciting opportunities planned for 2022-23. Please, refer to the Character Curriculum learning journey for the trips due to go out this academic year. We appreciate your understanding that we prioritise students’ and staffs’ safety, and therefore are directed by COVID-19 guidelines.
Policies
Click here to access the OCL Trips & Visits policy.
Student Leadership
Student leadership is integral to our students developing their resilience 
and confidence to stand as first amongst equals. Student leaders are role models within the academy, who help direct and drive our Academy culture within the school and the wider community.
Every student has the opportunity to become a student leader. The student leadership structure is developmental, with increased responsibility and accountability as students get older. Students are able to contribute to our Academy culture through leadership responsibilities right from the moment they join us, and continue to do so throughout their time at Oasis Academy Brislington. The different student leadership strands are elected or appointed during different times of the year.
|
Position |
Year groups |
When are positions appointed? |
|
Student Academy Council (blue ties) |
Years 7 – 11 |
Campaigning and elections during the Autumn 1 term. The first full Student Academy Council meeting takes place after October half term. |
|
9 Habits Ambassadors |
Years 8 and 9 |
The 9 Habits Ambassador application process starts after the May half term in years 7 and 8. Ambassadors start their roles in July of the same year. |
|
Active Leaders
|
Year 10 |
Active Leaders training takes place during the penultimate week of the year 9 summer term. Active Leaders start their roles during Summer School or September of year 10. |
|
Prefects (black ties) |
Year 11 |
Prefect application process happens during the Spring 2 term. Prefects start their roles after the Easter holidays in year 10. |
Click on the different tabs to find out more about each student leadership strand.
Leadership Strands
Student Academy Council
The Student Academy Council is a democratically elected student body. SAC allows elected students to have a meaningful involvement in creating and implementing exciting whole school projects and allows a space for students to learn valuable leadership and organisational skills. The Council creates an opportunity for a greater ‘student voice’ within the whole academy, by empowering those students elected to give the whole student body a clearer voice in academy life. Staff Academy Council leads help to guide and mentor students to equip them with the skills and attributes needed to represent their peers, to enrich the culture and experience of all those at the academy. Each strand devises, creates and implements projects that positively influence the culture and student experience of being a student at Oasis Academy Brislington, but also within the wider community. The Student Academy Council provides a space for student-run, student-led and student-centred projects that will make our young people active change makers of the future.
In September of every academic year every student has the opportunity to campaign for their position on the Student Academy Council. Elections are held within each tutor group in each year to elect a councillor and a deputy councillor. They represent their peers on the Student Academy Council. The first full Student Academy Council meeting takes place after October half term. Councillors and Deputy Councillors are visually recognisable by wearing blue ties instead of the usual green ties.
The Student Academy Council is divided into three sub-committees: Culture, Community and Fundraising.
Culture Committee
The Culture Committee aims to directly enrich the culture of the Academy. They are in charge of the content of ‘OAB TV’ (on Instagram), which gives a different perspective of life at Oasis Academy Brislington. They also organise fun events that help build both lasting memories and supportive relationships between staff and students.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee inspires our passionate student body to raise money for fantastic national and local causes, such as Children In Need (£1300 raised) and the Starlight Ward (£800 raised) in the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Community Committee
The Community Committee plans projects to add to and strengthen our network within the local and wider community, as well as continually developing the community within the Academy. Recent projects include collecting food parcels for the Trussell Trust to support local families, and researching, costing and presenting a proposal to the Academy Leadership Team on equipment students would like in the year group gardens.
Nine Habits Ambassadors
The 9 Habits help developing a way of life that is characterised by being considerate, compassionate, humble, joyful, honest, hopeful, self-controlled, patient and forgiving. This does not happen by chance – it has to be practiced and internalised. We believe by continually developing our character, we become the best version of ourselves which is vitally important for everyone.
9 Habits Ambassadors work with staff and other student leaders to raise awareness of each habit. They work on key projects to help students to develop each habit which in turn matures their character and the positive culture of the Academy.
Year 7 and 8, students can apply for the position of a 9 Habits Ambassador in the summer term after the May half term holiday. The team of Ambassadors meet with the lead member of staff before the summer holidays to start planning assemblies and projects for the next academic year. Students stay in their role for one academic year.
Active Leaders
Active Leaders are year 10 students who complete the Active Leaders course at the end of the summer term in year 9. The aim of the course is for personal development and confidence building through training which enables them to deliver fun activities and events to younger students. The course supports work experience, volunteering, further training and career pathways. The Active Leaders course is developed with and for young people. Each Active Leader receives a personal report of their training and certificate. In addition, the Active Leaders course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and supports BTEC leadership modules and the Duke of Edinburgh award.
The Active Leaders course is a brilliant opportunity for students to develop their employability and leadership skills. During the week-long Active Leaders training course students undertake ten different activity sessions where they build their confidence and personal development. The sessions include creating and running events for younger students, First Aid, as well as employability and communication skills.
Students are selected for the course by the PE department and their Student Progress Leaders at the end of year 9. Once students have completed the course, their knowledge and leadership skills support sports clubs in the after school period 6 REACH programme, run activities in and for feeder primary schools, and assist with events throughout the academic year, such as our Open Evening in September.
If you would like more information on the course, and what is included in some of the sessions, please visit www.activeleaders.co.uk
Prefects
Prefects are the most senior student leaders within the Academy. Being a Prefect is a great way to give back to the Academy but also an opportunity for personal development.
Prefects undertake a huge responsibility on behalf of the Academy, which has some benefits to themselves but more importantly to the wider Academy community. For that reason, all our prefects are expected to support and develop high standards of discipline, punctuality, commitment, and maturity. Above all, a Prefect is highly motivated and ready to support the Academy in many ways. Prefects will be involved in decision making processes, and for that reason, they need to be able to demonstrate good decision-making skills, resilience and be a role model in everything they do.
The Prefect team is led by Senior Prefects (two Lead Prefects and two Deputy Lead Prefects) and supported by various members of staff, depending on their roles and responsibilities. Prefects are recognisable by their black ties.
For current year 10 students who would like to become a year 11 Prefect for the 2022/2023 academic year, applications will open in March 2022.