REWARDS & AWARDS

The difference between rewards and awards is that awards mostly involve an extrinsic presentation of a physical commendation, whereas rewards involve an acknowledgment or token of appreciation. To help teenagers to flourish, both rewards and awards need to be presented to them, allowing them to develop their own internal targets and a personal sense of individual accomplishment. It is important that young people learn that they cannot always rely on others and that they have the opportunity to experience a sense of pride when they achieve something by themselves.

Bearing this in mind, celebrating students is something that we strongly believe should be at the centre of our practice as teachers. When students join us here at DESC, our sole intention is to facilitate them on their individual journeys, making sure that every student makes progress within their own abilities and interests. For staff at DESC to help students fulfil their potential, overcome the bumps in the road and rebound from any temporary setback, we strive to use rewards and awards concurrently. We do this in the hope that, through guidance, consequences and recognition of any kind, our students will grow into young adults who live a fulfilled life, with an understanding of how to be the best version of themselves.

Celebrating students at DESC is a carefully considered process that allows staff to recognise students based upon their progress, attainment, values and character. Through these four strands, we aim to build well rounded students who develop a sense of grit, determination, kindness, self–awareness and social responsibility. Our DESC celebration programme is designed to create opportunities for all students to be recognised, regardless of their abilities, skills, or interests. Various staff members have an input at different times of the year to make decisions about why students are deserving of recognition and the reasons why they feel this is necessary. From classroom teachers, to tutors, the Sixth Form Team and Heads of House, much of the recognition at DESC is decided and discussed between staff across the community.

Character Rewards

Character rewards are logged by classroom teachers and other staff around the College on a daily basis.

These rewards stem from Martin Seligman’s focus on character strengths and his positive psychology research that outlines just how important it is for all of us to have a comprehensive understanding of our character. Therefore, when staff see fit, they are able to reward students using the character strengths as a title, based upon what students have displayed or embodied. Students are made aware through positive conversations with their teachers and tutors.

So far this year, more than 17,500 character rewards have been logged by staff, celebrating all 24 of the character strengths that we focus upon. Amongst the rewards logged, most notable are character strengths such as love of learning, kindness, and tolerance.

Pastoral Awards

The DESC House Awards have become synonymous with the House System, allowing Tutors and the House Team an opportunity to regularly celebrate student success from Years 7 to 13. By success, we do not mean just academics, but rather, success in being all-round fantastic human beings. Whilst celebrating student character has always been a high priority here at DESC, in the past four years we have streamlined our rewards system to the point where we feel students are regularly and appropriately recognised for their resilience, perseverance, kindness and all the other core values which we wish to see in every DESC student. The purpose of the House Awards is to ensure students understand the importance of being kind, respectful, hardworking and resilient. At the end of each half term, tutors nominate one student per tutor group to be presented with a House Award. Students can be nominated for many reasons, but they all have one thing in common - they have been highlighted for being the best version of themselves. Desert Demeanour, Earth Ethos, Sky Stars and Coast Culture truly have become symbols of excellence, with students receiving a certificate and a trophy for them to take home to their family to continue the celebrations.

Academic Awards

Every half term, teachers nominate one person per year group, per subject to win their subject award. The awards are based upon the subject content, an inspiration within that topic or the skills and attributes one needs to do well within the subject area. Award titles include the Arabic Falcon Award, Young Lawyer Award and The Zimbardo Award – to name a few. The awards are emailed to parents, along with a paragraph that explains their accolade. Students are then awarded within lessons through the presentation of certificates, celebrated online and also invited to other opportunities such as pizza lunches and breakfast celebrations.

Each half term, when combined with Pastoral Awards, more than 15% of all DESC students are celebrated formally from Years 7 to 13.

Student of the Term

Student of the Term is awarded termly to 6 students within the entire student body. Decided by Heads of House and Heads of Sixth Form, this award is given to students who they feel encapsulate what it is to be a DESC student. This award to given to those who embrace the opportunities within the DESC community and invite others to do the same. More often than not, this award is given to those who work hard to try new things, push themselves outside of their comfort zone and continually work hard to develop rapport with both students and staff alike.

Through the academic year, this award is given to 18 students, constituting 1% of our DESC community. We celebrate those students within House or Sixth Form assemblies by presenting them with a voucher and personal celebratory citation.

Prize Day

Prize Day takes place during the last few weeks of term and is the culmination of all celebrations throughout the year. Placed within the DESC calendar during study leave, this is a whole community event that involves students, staff, parents, and stakeholders. Throughout the formal ceremony, students in Years 7 to 10 are awarded for their progress, attainment, character and values.

Led by their Head of House, students and parents are invited to celebrate student achievement throughout the year and enjoy a plethora of performances throughout the ceremony. Students are invited to the stage to collect their medals, having the ability to win three medals within the ceremony. During our Prize Day celebrations, 61% of all students are recognised formally, however, all students spend the day reflecting and celebrating on their accomplishments that year.

Finally, two students are the honorary winners of the David May and Bill Duff awards each year. These are awarded by our Principal, Andrew Gibbs and Headteacher, Christopher Vizzard. The most notable and selective awards, these accolades are named after two of DESC’s inspirational founders. The students who win these awards always have their own stories, usually ones that depict a young adult who has worked with tenacity, courage and curiosity to get to where they are today.

When combined, every student at DESC has the opportunity to be celebrated. After all, each student has their own strengths and weaknesses – an original person with their own dreams and aspirations.

by Sophie Barratt, Assistant Headteacher, DESC