What If a Student Knows What They Should Do - But Lacks the Confidence to Do It?
A teenager can know they should speak up, ask for help, try something new, make a decision or recover from a setback.
But knowing what to do and having the confidence to actually do it are two very different things.
That gap between knowing and doing is one of the reasons confidence matters so much.
Bravory PSHE confidence workshops help secondary school students explore what holds them back and give them practical ways to build greater self-belief, resilience, communication and independence.
Confidence Is a Life Skill
Confidence is not simply about being loud, outgoing or comfortable standing in front of a room.
It can influence whether a young person:
- asks for help when they need it
- puts their hand up in class
- speaks to somebody new
- handles friendship difficulties
- tries something they might not immediately succeed at
- recovers after disappointment
- stands up for themselves appropriately
- expresses an opinion
- makes independent decisions
- applies for an opportunity
- attends an interview
- believes they have something worthwhile to contribute
These are not just school skills.
They are life skills.
Education Prepares Young People for Exams. Confidence Helps Prepare Them for Life.
Schools work incredibly hard to give students knowledge, qualifications and opportunities.
But eventually every student reaches a point where there is no teacher standing next to them telling them what the correct answer is.
They have to make the phone call.
Walk into the interview.
Meet somebody new.
Deal with rejection.
Make a decision.
Speak up.
Recover when something does not go to plan.
The BRAVE Method
Bravory workshops use the BRAVE Method to help young people understand that confidence is something that can be developed through experience, action and reflection.
Belief
What do I believe about myself, and are those beliefs helping me or holding me back?
Resilience
What do I do when something goes wrong, and how quickly can I begin moving forward again?
Action
Can I take a positive step even when I do not feel completely confident or ready?
Voice
Can I ask questions, express an opinion, communicate clearly and speak up appropriately?
Evidence
What evidence already exists that I am more capable, resilient and courageous than I sometimes believe?
We Don't Teach Teenagers to Wait Until They Feel Confident
One of the biggest misconceptions about confidence is that we need to feel confident before we take action.
That can leave young people waiting.
Waiting until they feel ready to speak.
Waiting until they feel ready to apply.
Waiting until they feel ready to try.
Waiting until they know they cannot fail.
Bravory encourages students to think differently about courage, confidence and progress.
They do not have to feel fearless.
They may simply need to become brave enough to take the next step.
PSHE Workshop Themes
Sessions can be adapted around the needs of your students and wider personal development objectives.
- self-belief and self-esteem
- confidence and communication
- resilience after setbacks
- fear of failure
- overthinking
- trying new things
- friendships and social confidence
- speaking up appropriately
- handling uncertainty
- independence and decision-making
- responsibility
- asking for help
- responding to mistakes
- taking positive action
- preparing for interviews and opportunities
- readiness for life beyond school
PSHE Confidence Workshops for Years 7–9
The early secondary school years can involve enormous change.
New environments, new friendship groups, growing independence and increased awareness of what other people think can all influence a young person's confidence.
Workshops for Years 7–9 can explore:
- making friends and social confidence
- speaking up and asking questions
- trying new activities
- dealing with mistakes
- self-belief
- handling comparison with other people
- developing greater independence
PSHE Confidence Workshops for Years 10–11
As students move towards GCSEs and decisions about their future, the challenges can change.
Students may be dealing with pressure, uncertainty, expectations, setbacks and important decisions about what comes next.
Workshops for Years 10–11 can focus on:
- confidence under pressure
- resilience after setbacks
- fear of getting things wrong
- decision-making
- communication
- taking responsibility
- preparing for life after GCSEs
Confidence Workshops for Sixth Form Students
Sixth Form students are getting increasingly close to situations where they will be expected to manage themselves more independently.
That may include university, apprenticeships, employment, interviews, new relationships and greater personal responsibility.
Bravory sessions can therefore place greater emphasis on:
- independence
- decision-making
- interview confidence
- communication
- handling rejection
- asking questions
- taking opportunities
- personal responsibility
- readiness for adult life
Practical, Relatable and Thought-Provoking
Bravory sessions are designed to engage young people without talking down to them.
Students are encouraged to think, question, reflect and consider what confidence actually looks like in their own lives.
The aim is not simply for a student to leave saying:
The more valuable outcome is for them to leave thinking:
About Adrian Close
Bravory was created by Adrian Close, a professional trainer and business owner with extensive experience helping people develop confidence, communication and leadership skills.
Earlier in his life, Adrian worked with young people in inner-city Nottingham using sport and outdoor activities to develop confidence, teamwork and self-belief.
He also guided rafts and taught canoeing at Holme Pierrepont and later spent eight years as a member of Mountain Rescue.
Today, alongside his professional training work, Adrian volunteers as a qualified Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition supervisor, supporting teenagers as they deal with challenge, uncertainty, teamwork, problem-solving and situations outside their comfort zone.
His own experiences of setbacks and rebuilding also shape the Bravory message.
The focus is not on pretending life will always go well.
It is helping young people become more confident in their ability to deal with life when it doesn't.
How Can Bravory Fit Into Your School?
Sessions can complement wider school activity including:
- PSHE provision
- personal development programmes
- enrichment days
- school assemblies
- careers programmes
- transition support
- student leadership programmes
- prefect training
- Sixth Form preparation
- confidence and resilience initiatives
Workshops can be adapted according to the age of students, the time available and the particular confidence or resilience challenges your school wants to address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PSHE confidence workshops?
Bravory PSHE confidence workshops are practical sessions designed to help secondary school students explore self-belief, resilience, communication, independence and the confidence to take positive action in everyday life.
What age groups can you work with?
Workshops can be adapted for Years 7–9, Years 10–11 and Sixth Form students, with the themes and examples adjusted to suit the age and needs of the group.
Can the workshop focus on resilience as well as confidence?
Yes. Confidence and resilience are closely connected within the Bravory approach. Students can explore how they respond to setbacks, mistakes, disappointment and situations that do not go to plan.
Can Bravory support our school's PSHE provision?
Yes. Bravory workshops can complement wider PSHE, personal development, careers, enrichment and preparation-for-life activity.
Do you offer school assemblies as well as workshops?
Yes. Bravory can provide confidence and resilience talks for school assemblies as well as longer, more interactive workshop sessions.
Where are Bravory workshops available?
Bravory is based in Derbyshire and welcomes enquiries from secondary schools across the UK.
