Personal Development
Introduction
At Oasis Academy Brislington, the Personal Development programme ensures every student flourishes into a confident, responsible and ambitious young adult. We encourage all students to explore opportunity, embrace challenge and enhance their futures. We strive to unleash their potential.
Our broad and inclusive PD curriculum is purposeful and aspirational, providing every student with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to become successful, compassionate and happy, active citizens as adults.
This coherent approach builds character, resilience and develops essential skills. Students learn to make informed choices, contribute to their community and move confidently into the next stage of their education and beyond.
You can learn more about each area of PD at Oasis Academy Brislington below.
- 9 Habits and Essential Skills
- Period 6 REACH
- Trips and Experiences
- Student Leadership
- Careers
- Global Bridge
- Fundamental Skills
9 Habits and Essential Skills
Building Habits and Skills for Life at Oasis Academy Brislington
At Oasis Academy Brislington, we believe education is about more than academic success—it is about developing the whole person. That is why we explicitly teach the Oasis 9 Habits and the Skills Builder Essential Skills through our Tutor and Fundamental Skills programmes.
The 9 Habits such as compassion, self-control, and humility shape character and guide positive choices. Alongside these, the eight Essential Skills like teamwork, problem solving, and communication equip students with practical abilities for life beyond school.
We have gone a step further by linking each habit to two essential skills and embedding them across our academic curriculum. This integrated approach ensures every student grows in character and capability, preparing them to thrive in learning, work, and life.
Period 6 REACH
REACH Programme at Oasis Academy Brislington
At Oasis Academy Brislington, we are PROUD to offer an extensive range of extracurricular activities through our REACH programme, running from 3:30 pm to 4:20 pm, Monday to Thursday, with some clubs available during lunchtime as well. Our clubs and tutoring sessions give students the opportunity to explore their passions, develop new skills, and connect with peers, all while enriching their learning experience beyond the classroom.
For Year 11 students, we provide an exceptional array of tutoring sessions aimed at helping them maximise their GCSE results. Sessions such as Further Maths GCSE, Science Higher Practicals, and GCSE Art and Design Club are tailored to support students in mastering complex topics and practical skills. These targeted sessions, offered alongside regular lessons, ensure that Year 11s receive the focused attention they need to succeed. By attending these sessions, students can boost their understanding and confidence, setting themselves up for outstanding exam results.
In addition to academic support, our REACH programme offers a variety of creative, sporting, and personal development clubs. From Crochet Club and Chef's Table to Band Club and Karaoke Club, students can pursue their creative interests in a supportive and fun environment. Sports enthusiasts can join Year 7-9 Boys Rugby, Girls Rugby, and Netball Club to improve their athletic skills and teamwork. For those passionate about languages, clubs like Russian Exam Prep and French and German Film Club offer exciting ways to enhance language proficiency.
We also offer prestigious opportunities through the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). The CCF is a unique chance for students to develop leadership, survival skills, and teamwork through activities such as fieldcraft, first aid training, and adventurous outdoor challenges. The DofE Award provides students with the opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility through expeditions, physical challenges, and community service. These programmes not only help students to grow personally but also strengthen key skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Whether students are seeking academic excellence, personal growth, or the chance to pursue new interests, the REACH programme has something for everyone. From lunchtime clubs to after-school activities, Oasis Academy Brislington is dedicated to providing students with the resources and opportunities to thrive!
Trips and Experiences
At Oasis Academy Brislington, trips and experiences are an important part of our Personal Development provision. They are designed to broaden students’ experiences, build cultural capital and support the development of character.
Through local, national and residential opportunities, students develop confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork, while engaging with new environments, cultures and challenges. Some trips enhance curriculum learning, while others focus on personal growth, social development and life skills.
We are committed to ensuring all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality experiences that enrich their education and prepare them positively for life beyond the Academy.
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. |
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.
Careers
Please click HERE to access our Careers Programme information
Global Bridge
Globalbridge is a valuable digital platform we use to empower our students by helping them build a Digital Learner Profile. Built by teachers, this revolutionary system allows young people to showcase their full range of talents, skills, and personal development—going beyond traditional exam grades alone. Students can evidence their abilities in a more inclusive way, making their applications stand out to future employers and education providers. Furthermore, the platform connects our students directly with relevant future career and educational opportunities, levelling the playing field and ensuring their full potential is recognised.
Fundamental Skills
Our Fundamental Skills curriculum, taught in daily 25 minute lessons, ensures every student develops the essential knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond. Through dedicated lessons, students strengthen their numeracy, communication, personal finance, study skills and careers education, building practical skills that support learning across all subjects and prepare them for adult life. This curriculum helps students become confident communicators, resilient learners and informed decision-makers, equipped for further education, employment and life beyond the classroom. You can access sample lessons here: