Rewards and Sanctions
Rewards
Praising and rewarding students raises their self-esteem, helps them to learn to accept praise with good grace, enables them to appreciate their strengths and to recognise the success of others. In addition to verbally acknowledging pupils’ efforts, staff award merits to students for a wide variety of reasons. Merits are counted at the end of each term, certificates awarded and individuals’ totals contribute towards the total for the prestigious house cup. Another part of the school’s policy is to reward academic success and progress, effort, good behaviour and positive contributions to the school and local community. This may be done informally through staff praise and encouragement or formally, for example through postcards home, the school’s own Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Scheme, individual subject badges, attendance certificates and sporting colours. Achievement may be celebrated in school assemblies, newsletters, prizegiving, the Governors’ Report and the local press.
Sanctions
Sanctions are necessary to maintain positive behaviour and are used when necessary. Misdemeanours are logged electronically by staff on each student’s record. Form tutors monitor this regularly and students record the total in their planner. A range of sanctions is used, including detention and individual reports.