The Rewards System

The Rewards and Sanctions systems operate as separate, but complementary systems. Positive attitudes and diligence are reinforced by the application of rewards and, where standards fall below our expectations, disciplinary measures. Positive rewards are as follows:

• Verbal praise or comments in exercise books.
• Verbal praise for good behaviour, courtesy and consideration.
• House Points are awarded for good work, effort or behaviour.
• Commendations are awarded for particularly good work and for excellent effort for the individual
• A Headmaster’s Commendation is awarded when a pupil has produced an exceptional piece of work for him.
• Pupils receive special certificates and badges when they reach landmark numbers of Commendations such as 5, 10, 20 and 30 etc.
• Commendation certificates and Headmaster’s Commendations are given to pupils at Monday and Friday assemblies.
• For examples of fine manners, helpfulness or good conduct, Year 6 pupils can receive a ‘Golden Ticket’. This is a popular form of reward and encouragement offered in the Summer Term. The Golden Tickets are submitted for a regular prize draw.

Pupils are given House Point tokens when they are given House Points for their work or for good behaviour. The pupils then place the House Points in the transparent boxes adjoining Reception. The winning house is also announced every fortnight. There is a competition each term to see which house can achieve the greatest number of House Points and a cup for the winning house at the end of the year.

All pupils should receive a number of Commendations during the school year. Each piece of work is judged in the context of a pupil's ability. Form Tutors will keep a close eye on each pupil's performance and provide guidance as to how they could achieve an award.

When a pupil is awarded a Headmaster’s Commendation, they are encouraged to take their work to the Headmaster at either break or lunchtime to have the award recorded, a certificate written and to receive praise for their efforts. The Headmaster also takes a photograph of the recipient and emails parents to celebrate and share their son’s success. It is hoped that the majority of the pupils will receive a Headmaster’s Commendation at some point during the school year.

During the course of most weeks, members of staff recommend a number of pupils to receive a ‘Care, Courtesy and Consideration Award’. We are always keen to promote these qualities amongst the pupils. The award recognises when a pupil has shown a particular desire to help others in our community. Certificates are given out in assemblies.

 

Sanctions

The aim of any sanctions system should always be to achieve a positive outcome and to help pupils to appreciate that actions have consequences. In most instances, pupils will receive a verbal warning and admonishment; if the pupil ignores the warning a yellow card may be given. For more serious matters the pupils may be given a ‘Yellow Card’ directly. When staff give a Yellow Card, an email is sent to the pupil's Form Tutor, to the Deputy Head and to parents. This information sharing allows teachers and parents to be aware of issues and to advise the pupil appropriately.

Parents must not be overly concerned should their child receive a Yellow Card. Many, if not most pupils, will receive a Yellow Card at some stage in their Junior School journey. Pupils will make mistakes and the system acknowledges this fact, helping pupils learn from their errors. In the unlikely event that a pupil receives three Yellow Cards in five school days, an Order Mark is given resulting in the Deputy Head meeting with the pupil and their parents to discuss the problems after school.

The range of sanctions used in the Junior School:

• Reprimand by Form Tutor or member of staff concerned with incident
• A Yellow Card
• Loss of privilege for specific periods e.g. break time
• An appropriate positive task or punishment
• Referral to the Deputy Head or Headmaster
• Parental involvement (formally)
• Detention after school
• Report card or daily report sheet (with clear reference to behaviour target)
• Headmaster’s Report
• Fixed term exclusion
• Suspension and possible exclusion, pending a decision by the Governing Body

Although the above sanctions are graded, they would not need to be applied strictly in this order. In some cases, it is appropriate to contact parents instantly to discuss matters relating to behaviour.

Where there is a clear need to improve a pupil's standard of behaviour, parents will be kept fully involved and informed. The school believes in forming a partnership with parents as a vital part of the process of maintaining good standards of behaviour.

Pupils whose behaviour has given continued cause for concern might be placed on Headmaster’s Report. The Headmaster will take appropriate action to ensure that the pupil’s difficulties are resolved. Targets will be set that will be reviewed by the Headmaster on a daily or weekly basis.

It is stressed that being on Headmaster’s Report is unusual and most difficulties will be overcome before this stage is reached. Parents will receive notification that their child is on Headmaster’s Report and it is usual for a consultation to take place.

 

Leadership, Responsibility and Service

As part of the pupils’ personal development, we provide a wide range of opportunities for pupils to undertake roles and duties to develop leadership and encourage responsibility and service.

Pupils in Year 6 are expected to lead by example in their dealings with each other and in their service to the school. House Captains are elected by the members of each House to lead their Houses and represent their House in assemblies and at public events. Elections for House Captains take place in the second half of the Summer Term when the candidates are in Year 5. Houses also elect Sports Captains, Music Captains and Charity Leaders to help lead and organise House competitions and fundraising intiatives.

The school operates a tuck shop, run by the pupils at lunchtimes, four days a week. Pupils from Year 4 upwards are given opportunities to serve. During the year, different teams of pupils are given their opportunity to help.

All year groups and classes are expected to provide representatives to sit on the School Council. The School Council meets twice a term to discuss improvements they would like to see around school and to represent the pupil body.

Twelve new Prefects are selected by staff from the Year 5 pupils to serve when they return to school the following September. A further six Prefects are appointed in January. The Prefects help in many ways: setting an example to the pupils, helping the younger pupils as they sort their bags and belongings in the cloakrooms, ensuring that pupils are sensible as they enter school and as they walk up the stairs to their classrooms. Prefects and House Captains also help on Open Days conducting tours and representing the School.