Hybrid Education in Valencia – Brave Generation Academy

Brave Generation Academy (BGA) is a pioneering new concept that provides young people with a global, hybrid education that is completely tailored to their unique skills, talents and interests. BGA offers something completely different in the online schooling sector, combining a flexible digital curriculum with in-person co-learning at their physical Hub in Valencia.

We spoke with the school’s Head of Marketing Kendall Ferreira to find out more about how this forward-thinking approach works, and how BGA truly prepares their community of young Learners for the future.

Brave Generation Academy – Valencia Hub

Can you introduce Brave Generation Academy Valencia?

Brave Generation Academy’s (BGA) first Hub in Spain, Valencia holds a special place in our hearts. Conveniently located just a three-minute walk from the stunning Túria Park, we are easily reached by both bus and metro.  

It’s a Hub offering a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, with Learners from all backgrounds coming together alongside two Learning Coaches to create a holistic and inclusive learning atmosphere.  

Who are the BGA founders? Can you tell us a little about their background?

Tim and Lidia Vieira founded Brave Generation Academy back in 2021. Tim, a business graduate from South Africa, is an experienced entrepreneur who’s helped lots of businesses get off the ground. He also appeared as an investor on Shark Tank Portugal. The couple, who have both South African and Portuguese heritage, have lived in various countries, including South Africa, Angola, and Portugal. 

What first inspired Brave Generation Academy and how did it come to be founded? 

Tim and Lidia realised that once their three kids hit secondary school, they had less time for extracurriculars and things they loved. Even though they were in a top private school, their days felt repetitive. During a 118-day round-the-world trip in 2019, they saw their kids were far more curious and engaged while travelling. This sparked an idea. Then, after the pandemic hit, they saw the possibilities of online learning and noticed that their kids were collaborating more, working together and helping each other. Tim and Lidia saw this as the way forward – a more flexible and personalised way of learning for today’s world! Thus the idea of BGA was born.  

How would you define the Brave Generation Academy philosophy and values?

Our main philosophy is that education should be inclusive, accessible, personalised, and flexible. Our educational model is designed to empower Learners to reach their best future through three foundational dimensions: Knowledge, Skills, and Community.

Knowledge denotes our globally recognised curricula, which we believe is a basic and fundamental aspect of our school. However, we know that academics are not enough to prepare Learners for the changing future ahead. So we have introduced our Skills Pillar, a combination of both soft skills and practical experience through activities and internships, as well as the Community Pillar, which consists of volunteering activities within the local community. We are driven by the desire to offer Learners the opportunity for them to write their own paths.  

Who are the founding Learners and how are they involved in BGA today?

Our founding Learners are Titus and Alex Vieira, Tim and Lidia’s sons. Both continue to be spokespeople for BGA, speaking at schools and at events around the world. Alex has now graduated and will be attending the University of California at Berkeley.  

What curriculum do you offer and is all teaching in English?

We offer both the British International Curriculum and the American Curriculum to Learners from the age of 11 and above. With BGA being a global education model, all of our course material is in English.

Are these qualifications recognised by universities internationally?

Both the curricula offered by BGA are accredited and are accepted by universities around the world. Many of our graduating Learners have chosen to pursue a university degree, gaining entrance to prestigious institutions globally. 

What does a typical day-to-day routine look like at BGA?

BGA is tailored to the Learner’s schedule, and not the other way around. Our Hubs open at around 8 am and close at 6 pm, and we recommend that they spend about five hours a day there. This means that they can arrive when it makes the most sense for them, so whether they are athletes working around training, musicians working around lessons, or are merely more productive at a certain time of day, they can adapt their schedule accordingly.  

While they are at the Hub, they work on their assignments and projects online. Learning Coaches are on hand all day long to give Learners a helping hand and offer support. The Hubs are all about teamwork and co-learning. The Learners also get involved in group discussions, projects and hands-on workshops. This is a key part of the BGA learning model, with kids interacting with each other in a peer-to-peer way. We also make sure there are breaks so Learners can relax and socialise.

In Valencia specifically, Learners typically arrive at around 10 am and focus together. For lunch, they visit the mall just behind the Hub and relax together. The latest craze is practising using the scooters, and some go to the skatepark on Friday afternoons.

In what ways do you think that the traditional education system needs to change and adapt to better serve young people in 2024? And how do you address those issues at Brave Generation Academy? 

The traditional education system hasn’t been seriously updated in more than 100 years, and it no longer serves the needs of many Learners in our evolving society and modern workforce. We need more than rote memorisation in a large classroom, allowing children to be educated in the way that works best for them. Instead of the focus being on grades, we need to focus on making better and more adaptable citizens by supporting Learners in all aspects.  

To solve these issues, BGA offers diverse learning methods that enable Learners explore their interests and work at their own pace. We offer flexible learning schedules, including online and hybrid options, to suit different needs. Our focus is on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-management skills through a curriculum that incorporates real-world applications. We use digital tools to enhance learning experiences, making education more interactive and accessible. This approach creates a dynamic, engaging, and adaptive learning environment that better prepares young people for the modern world. 

What is a Learner-centric approach to education? How does this differ from more traditional models? 

Traditional education relies heavily on teachers giving out knowledge and expecting students to take it in and learn it at the same pace. Our Learner-centric approach encourages Learners to work together, think for themselves and learn in a way that helps them use their knowledge in real life. In a Learner-centric model, Learners are at the heart of their own education.

Learning Coaches help them to find their passion, set meaningful goals and develop the skills they need to learn for life. This approach lets us create educational experiences that are tailored to each Learner’s pace and style. They can choose what subjects they are going to study each day, and for how long. This helps them feel like they own their learning and are motivated to learn for their own reasons. By focusing on the individual Learner, we create a dynamic and engaging environment where Learners take the reins, and are empowered to thrive both academically and personally.

Can you describe a typical Learner profile at BGA Valencia? What different nationalities are represented? 

We have numerous different types of Learners in Valencia. Some have come to BGA because they want to balance their passions with their academics, such as music, art, or sports. Others have come to us because they would like to move through their studies more quickly, and others more slowly. And some have come merely because they align more with this alternative model. We have Learners from all over the world, including the US, Hungary, Iceland, Ukraine, Brazil and Poland. 

Can you tell us more about your hybrid education and personal development model?

Our hybrid education and personal development models build off of each other to create a holistic programme. Our hybrid education model offers the best of both worlds, integrating online learning with in-person experiences to create a flexible and comprehensive approach to education.  

Learners benefit from a combination of digital coursework and face-to-face interactions, melding into our personal development model as it allows them to engage deeply with the material while developing essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

The model also places significant emphasis on the practical, real-world applications of learning through internships, community service, and cultural immersion. This ensures that Learners not only gain academic knowledge but also develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for the future.

You don’t refer to your educators as “teachers”. Instead, they are Course Managers and Learning Coaches. Can you tell us more about these roles?

At BGA we have something called a “dual-teacher role”, breaking down the role of a traditional teacher into two parts. 

On the academic side, we have Course Managers. They are subject experts that are online, taking care of assessments, answering questions, and making changes based on feedback to keep the courses relevant and engaging. Learners are able to schedule meetings with them if they are struggling with any particular subject, or want to clear up any academic doubts. 

Our Learning Coaches on the other hand are physically present at the Hub, and take care of the day-to-day organisation as well as emotional support for the Learners. They are more than just mentors; they inspire and motivate Learners to discover their passions, as well as help them to set goals and develop self-management skills through personalised weekly meetings. These sessions give Learners the power and confidence to take control of their educational journey. 

Can you tell us about the BGA Hub concept and how it works? 

Our Hubs are open concept and boast a range of well-equipped spaces that create a great environment for co-learning. This includes everything from a general study area, to a closed-off focus room for concentration, to a relax zone for the Learners to take breaks. Each Hub can accommodate around 30 learners and two Learning Coaches, and is open from around 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday.

We’ve made sure the furniture, design, lighting and acoustics are all comfortable and agreeable for studying. Hubs are open all year round, other than briefly closing for the Christmas and Easter holidays, and do not prescribe to the traditional academic holiday structure. 

What facilities does the Valencia Hub have and how much time do your Learners typically spend there?

Time spent at the Hub varies per Learner, as some like to come in and get their work done quickly, while others break up their time at the Hub with other activities.

Our Learners make great use of the community centres nearby, such as the local swimming pool which is within walking distance. Others like to participate in boxing, fencing, cross-fit, padel, or tennis at the gym conveniently located in the mall. Learners also participate in theatre and gymnastics nearby, and have Spanish tutoring at the Hub. 

What are the options for Learners who don’t live near a physical space? Do you offer a 100% remote option?

BGA Remote is our recently launched remote option for Learners that don’t live near one of our Hubs. We make sure our remote Learners feel fully immersed in the BGA experience through interactive sessions, personalised support and vibrant online communities such as a virtual Hub, virtual Mentorship and Coaching, Interactive Workshops and Events, Online Collaborative Projects and more. We wanted to make sure that just because these Learners were remote, didn’t mean they would lose the sense of community that BGA strives for.  

How does BGA help Learners to become more involved in their local community in Valencia?

In addition to frequenting local establishments for the Learner’s daily activities, BGA also encourages participation in volunteer or charity events such as Toy Drives, donations to food banks, and other efforts to support their local neighbourhood.

The Hub also strives to learn more about the culture, by learning how to make delicacies such as paella and horchata, as well as frequently partaking in delicious Spanish pastries from the local bakery.

What aspect of Brave Generation Academy do you feel most proud of? 

I am incredibly proud of offering an alternative educational option for Learners who don’t thrive in traditional systems, for whatever reason. At BGA we have successfully created an inclusive environment, prioritising collaboration over competition and showing Learners that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. I feel that our approach not only better prepares our Learners for the future but also helps them appreciate their education for what it really is—a privilege.

What are the next steps for someone interested to find out more?

We encourage everyone to spend a day in the life of a BGA Learner! All you have to do is contact our admissions team via email at contact@bravegenerationacademy.com or via WhatsApp at +351 913578362 to get more information, schedule a trial day, or request a meeting. We look forward to welcoming you to the BGA Family! 

Read more about the Brave Generation Academy Valencia and their different Hubs worldwide on the BGA website.

Find more articles on international and online education on the MumAbroad blog