Putting student wellbeing first: how we fuel our learners’ ambitions

When it comes to student wellbeing, OIC Brighton ROCKS.  

We know that happy and healthy students achieve more, which is why, as a college, we put wellbeing first. Our comprehensive approach – which includes the OICB ROCKS ‘five ways to wellbeing’ programme – ensures every young person, every day, receives the support they need to be ambitious, embrace new experiences, and exceed expectations. 

What is student wellbeing – and why is it so important? 

Student wellbeing is a broad term that, typically, encompasses a young person’s overall health. This includes their happiness, sense of belonging, personal and social fulfilment, and purposefulness, as well as their physical health. 

Studies show that students with positive wellbeing tend to enjoy a good quality of life. They have high energy levels and build and maintain better relationships. They also develop good coping skills and are resilient when it comes to facing a challenge.  

The connection between student wellbeing and academic success

A convincing breadth of international research demonstrates the link between wellbeing and academic achievement.  

Studies show that students with higher wellbeing tend to be more engaged in learning, more focused, and have greater levels of motivation. They can also deal with setbacks, possess academic resilience, and engage in lifelong learning. 

The OICB ROCKS ‘five ways to wellbeing’ 

Our drive for academic excellence is underpinned by a whole-college commitment to wellbeing. This provides the 24/7, all-encompassing support our students need to be their very best. 

At the heart of our approach is the OICB ROCKS programme, which promotes positive emotional wellbeing and physical health across the college. Based on the internationally renowned ‘five ways to wellbeing’ model, OICB ROCKS has five central principles:  

• RELATE: we encourage one another and create opportunities for social connections. 
• OBSERVE: we take time to notice our surroundings, taking a break from technology. 
• CARE: we give our time to someone who needs it, we volunteer, we raise money for charity, and we are involved in our local community. 
• KEEP LEARNING: we learn new skills through our Supercurricular programme and professional development. 
• STAY ACTIVE: we take time to stay active, making the most of our campus and surroundings. 

These principles are integrated into our curriculum, beyond the classroom, and in day-to-day life in our boarding houses. They’re the driving force behind our wellbeing approach. They also inform the strategies we put in place to help our students.
 

Strategies to improve student wellbeing

We build a team around each student

Each student is supported by a team of experts, which include our Deputy Principal (Pastoral and Wellbeing), Boarding House Parents, and Form Teacher. A specialist Counsellor is available to any student who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, too. We also have a full-time nurse onsite. 

Every student has a dedicated Strategy Tutor 

All our students have access to a dedicated Strategy Tutor. They have a 360-degree overview of their tutee’s education, providing a single point of contact for both a young person and their parents. Students meet with their tutor every fortnight to check in on their wellbeing and review academic progress. 

We encourage a growth mindset 

We run tailored workshops and PSHE sessions that give our young people the tools to overcome obstacles and view failures as opportunities for growth. This builds resilience and cultivates a positive attitude towards learning. 

We create a nurturing boarding environment 

Every decision we make in our boarding houses is built around student wellbeing. For example, we understand the importance of getting enough sleep and how this can impact on learning. The time a student goes to bed depends on their age, so we can ensure they’re getting the rest they need.  

We run a thriving House system  

Our House system nurtures our students’ growth into confident, well-rounded individuals. It gives children from across the college a shared sense of identity, as well as providing them with opportunities to develop social skills and enjoy healthy competition.  

We give every student a voice 

Our young people have a say on the policies, programmes, and principles that affect and matter to them. For example, students named our buildings to reflect the pioneers they most respected. This ensures they feel listened to and have a sense of agency, which is important for their emotional wellbeing.  

We encourage healthy lifestyles 

Our students take part in regular physical activity, making the most of our natural surroundings. Our nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are crafted with wellbeing and physical health in mind, too. Being part of a like-minded community of learners also ensures they build positive social relationships. 

We regularly monitor wellbeing 

Every term, our students complete the Cambridge Wellbeing Check. This assesses their emotional wellbeing and helps to identify times when they might be feeling low, stressed, or under pressure. The check enables us to put in place the support needed for an individual to perform at their best. 

A college that understands the importance of student wellbeing 

Wellbeing runs through the center of everything we do at OIC Brighton. It’s like the words in a stick of Brighton rock. 

Ultimately, our aim is to provide the care and personalised support a student needs to flourish. With this platform, our young people can be ambitious, push themselves, and excel academically.  


For more information on student wellbeing at OIC Brighton, please get in touch with us.