Rewards Policy

This policy is to be read alongside all policies relatingtopupilbehaviourandconduct.

Approved by: Local Governing Committee Approved on: 6th July 2023

Review date: July 2024 Originator(s): DSW

Version No: 1

Version Date: July 2023

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School is first and foremost a Catholic community. We believe and attest that all people are born in the image and likeness of God as such we believe in the inherent goodness of God’s creation. People are created for an eternal destiny and therefore we are an inclusive community that aims to celebrate the success of all its pupils and students in all areas of school life. We aim to reward personal effort, commitment and achievement and work to ensure the 4Cs are routinely recognised, recorded, and celebrated through the school’s clear and fair rewards system.

1. Policy Statement

The ‘spirit’ of the rewards system is firmly rooted in an ‘over and above mind-set’ and is intended to motivate all pupils and students to achieve their very best and become confident, independent learners and citizens, prepared to take their rightful place in the Church and in the world.

Rewards increase the motivation of all pupil/students, improving their self-esteem, aspirations and enjoyment of learning. The giving of rewards encourages all pupils/students to achieve. As a result, they will receive credit for achievement throughout the school in all contexts. Through this it is our intention to continue to raise standards and further improve behaviour and attendance.

The system of giving rewards supports the role of the form tutor in celebrating success and helps to facilitate the awareness of achievement by other members of staff and parents. Rewards support and promote good behaviour and should be used alongside the school’s behaviour and discipline policy.

2. First attention to positive behaviour

The ‘first attention to positive behaviour’ principle, is an important and guiding principle in recognising and rewarding pupils. As such:

A. finding ways to reward must be at the heart of our teaching, teachers and support staff must reward whenever possible, formally or informally, publicly or discretely

B. rewards must given regularly, consistently and sincerely

C. pupils or all abilities and across all year groups should be rewarded

D. teachers must work collectively and consistently to ensure a consistent application of policy across the school

E. rewards must be given sincerely and fairly as a means of acknowledging effort, achievement or action that is above and beyond the norm

F. every member of teaching staff will recognise and reward pupils/students for successes within their curriculum area(s)

G. every member of staff will recognise and reward positive behaviours outside of the classroom

H. every form tutor will recognise and reward pupils/students for their contributions to their form group, and to acknowledge their successes outside of school

It is important to note that rewards must never be given as ‘bribery’ (rewarding pupils for doing what should be expected of them normally). Rewards systems in our school should link into:

▪ effort

▪ attainment

▪ progress

▪ behaviour

▪ caring for others

▪ participation

▪ uniform compliance

▪ positive attitude / enthusiasm

▪ respectful behaviour

3. Involving the school community

We will actively consult with our pupils and the School Council to seek pupil’s views on reward structures, what should be rewarded and how we can further develop/improve our rewards systems.

4. Methods of Rewarding our pupils/students

St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School employs a variety of rewards these include:

▪ verbal praise

▪ house points

▪ subject certificates

▪ postcards home

▪ lapel badges

▪ gift vouchers

▪ acknowledgement through assemblies

5. House Points

All teachers are required to award a minimum of five and a maximum of fifteen house points per class per timetable cycle. House points may be awarded for a variety of reasons including:

▪ effort

▪ high quality work

▪ co-operation

▪ high quality answers

This list is not exhaustive. However, it is important that teachers award and record House Points in PARS.

When pupils receive enough points for an award, they will receive a certificate and a lapel badge which will be presented to them in assembly. When a pupil moves up a level, e.g. Bronze to Silver, when being presented with their new badge, they will hand in their old badge.

6. 4Cs Postcards

Each Half Term, staff will issue one ‘Academic’ postcard and one ‘Form Class’ postcard. Postcards will be written and signed by the member of staff outlining why the pupil deserves the postcard. Postcards will be awarded for pupils who have shown any of the following qualities:

• Competence

• Conscience

• Compassion

• Commitment

7. Head of Year 4Cs Certificates

Each Half Term, Heads of Year will award four different pupils a certificate for those who have demonstrated themselves to be a man of:

• Competence

• Conscience

• Compassion

• Commitment

Pupils will come forward one at a time following an explanation as to why they are receiving the award; each pupil will receive a round of applause from the year group. Staff can refer pupils to Heads of Year via email.

8. Zero demerits Termly Draw

At the end of every Term, all pupils in a year group who have not received a single demerit in that Term, will be entered into a prize draw where two pupils from each year group will win a £25 voucher.

At the end of the Epiphany Term, there will be an extra draw for pupils who have not received a demerit from the first day of the academic year to the end of the Epiphany Term. There will be one winner chosen from this draw who will win a £50 voucher.

At the end of the Easter Term, there will be an extra draw for pupils who have not received a demerit throughout the entire academic year. There will be one winner chosen from this draw who will win a £75 voucher.

The draws will take place during assemblies.

9. Rewards Store

Throughout the year, pupils will be able to ‘cash in’ their House Points for a reward from the St Cuthbert’s Rewards Store. When pupils ‘cash in’ points for an item, it does not reduce the number of House Points they have received, but it does reduce the amount they can spend.

REWARD

St Cuthbert’s ‘I am a Great Man’ Pencil

St Cuthbert’s ‘I am a Great Man’ Pen

One day Lunch Queue Jump with a Friend

One day Lunch Queue Jump with 3 Friends

One week Lunch Queue Jump

One Week Lunch Queue Jump with a Friend

One Week Lunch Queue Jump with 3 Friends

Cookie/Cake from the Dining Hall

St Cuthbert’s Water Bottle

£10 Amazon Voucher

£10 donation to a charity

£50 Amazon Voucher

£50 donation to a charity

10. Rewards Events

The Top 3 pupils who achieve the highest number of House Points in each year group will be invited to take part in a rewards event (movie/craft/sports) at the end of each term. (PARS balancer to be used here for ‘Net’ score).

11. Very Impressive Pupil Award (VIPA)

St Cuthbert’s also celebrates pupil success with the ‘Very Impressive Pupil Award’ (VIPA). This award is made by the Head of Year each term. Each Head of Year recommends one pupil per year per half-term for the ‘Very Impressive Pupil Award’.

House Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13

St Aidan one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil two students two students

St Bede one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil St Hild one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil

St Oswald one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil one pupil

Total VIPAs four pupils four pupils four pupils four pupils four pupils two students two students

The awards are made in the first week of the half-term for Year 7, second week for Year 8, third week for Year 9, fourth week for Year 10 and fifth week for Year 11, sixth week for Year 12 and seventh week for Year 13. Each VIPA will receive a certificate, a card home and a meeting with the headmaster. A pupil may be awarded up to seven VIPAs in his school career but only one per academic year. Any pupil who is awarded five VIPAs will automatically be award House Colours.

12. House & School Colours

House & School Colours may be awarded in the following categories:

▪ Sporting

▪ Co-curricular

▪ Catholic Life / Life of the School

House Colours & School Colours are award in the presentation of a distinct tie. Once awarded, the tie must be worn.

13. All Stars Assembly

During the penultimate assembly of each Term, the achievements of students will be celebrated, and rewards and certificates will be issued for:

• Academic Success in each Department

• Sporting success

• Contribution to the Catholic life of the school

• 4Cs (Heads of Year)

14. Roles and responsibilities

All staff should ensure that they:

• Give specific verbal praise to pupils every lesson

• Are consistent, in line with school policies and procedures, when distributing House Points

• Send two 4Cs Postcards a Half Term

• If applicable, refer pupils to Heads of Year for 4Cs

• Contribute to which pupils should be selected for Departmental All Stars Awards

Behaviour, Rewards and Inclusion Manager should ensure that:

• Teaching staff are regularly awarding 5-15 House Points per timetable cycle

• The Rewards Store runs effectively

• Certificates, postcards and lapel badges are available and distributed at appropriate times

Heads of Year and Assistant Heads of Year should ensure that they:

• Select appropriate pupils for VIPAs

• Monitor the number of House Points and lack of demerits across their Year group, offering verbal praise and public recognition of achievements

• Distribute Heads of Year 4Cs certificates every Half Term

• Lead the All-Stars assembly with SLT Year Link

Heads of Department should ensure that:

• Staff in their Department issue specific daily verbal praise and

• Staff in their Department regularly award 5-15 House Points per timetable cycle

• Agreement takes place within Departments which pupils should be selected for Departmental All Stars Awards

Senior leaders should:

• Effectively monitor consistency of House Point distribution in accordance with policy and procedures.

• Effectively monitor the number of House Points and lack of demerits across their link Year group

• Assist Heads of Year during All Star Assemblies