Best Practice

Ideas for raising students' motivation and aspiration

While his school’s results have transformed in recent years, the aspirations of students remained a challenge. Andrew Davidson describes the strategies he is using to encourage them to aim higher.

I joined Oasis Academy Brightstowe as assistant principal in September 2012 as part of the Future Leaders programme. Based in north west Bristol, our students are predominantly White British and around 50 per cent receive free school meals, putting the school in the highest quintile for this measure.

The indicator for social deprivation is significantly above the national average and many students face substantial challenges at home. 

I was made responsible for student aspirations, which was an exciting prospect, as the academy had just secured results of 63 per cent five A* to Cs including English and maths – a figure more than twice that of the previous year. Since being in special measures in 2008 the school has undergone a transformation.

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