Rewards and Sanctions Policy

The school aims to ensure its policies and code of conduct are applied fairly and consistently, without regard to race, gender or seniority and should be consistent from person to person and from occasion to occasion as far as is possible given that each case is reviewed on its merits. It is our belief that the best way to ensure the highest standards in both behaviour and work is to create a positive ethos where the self-confidence and self-esteem of pupils is promoted by regular praise, congratulation and affirmation. A school culture which is dominated by a mutual respect between pupils and between staff and pupils will lead not only to harmonious relationships but also to the fulfilment of the pupils’ potential both academically and socially.

Our aim is that rewards should outnumber sanctions:

Rewards:

Verbal and Written Praise

High Grades on Geists and Reports

Challenge Certificates

Speech Day Prizes

The Merit System

Aims:

• to encourage every pupil to work to his/her best ability across the curriculum
• to reward a consistently good effort or outstanding piece of work
• to raise academic standards in the school by conspicuously valuing outstanding effort and achievement
• Third and Fourth Year Commendations
• Commendations should be awarded to Third and Fourth Years for work or behaviour which is very good for that particular pupil.
• The subject teacher should write on the pupil’s book or file paper that a commendation has been awarded and initial it. The tutor should record all commendations. There will be a class competition for the Third and Fourth Year. The class that gains the highest numbers of commendations will be taken out on an outing by the school during one afternoon.
  Sanctions
• All staff are encouraged to use the following informal sanctions, before applying one of the official school sanctions: ~ Verbal reprimand ~ Repeat inadequate work ~ Report back for work at break or lunch-time for a departmental detention ~ A phone call home to parents

  Official Sanctions

Gating: For minor behavioural offences which can be given by all staff. It takes place on a Wednesday (1:15pm - 1:45pm) and a Friday lunchtime (12:30pm -12:40pm) supervised by staff and will normally involve a litter pick or some other practical chore. Pupils may postpone until the next Gating due to school commitments only with the agreement of the Deputy Head.

Detention: For more serious academic or behavioural offences which can be given by all staff. To take place on a Wednesday and Friday after school (4:15pm - 5:15pm) supervised by the Teacher on Duty. The teacher who gives the detention is responsible for ensuring that the pupil and the parents are informed at least 24 hours in advance by means of a standard letter.

Saturday Detention : This takes place from 10:30am - 12:00noon on a Saturday morning and are only given for very serious academic or behavioural offences or a series of normal detentions (three in a half-term). A standard letter will be sent home.

Daily Report
These should not necessarily be seen as sanctions, but rather as a way of providing more constant monitoring of a pupil who is not performing at their best academically. They are issued by Tutors or Heads of Year and signed each period by the member of staff teaching the lesson. They should also be signed each night by parents.They must be checked daily by Tutors. The length of time any pupil is on report is determined by his/her progress and motivation.

Exclusion from Class
A pupil will only be excluded from class if his/her behaviour is seriously damaging the discipline of the classroom. On these occasions, the pupil concerned should be sent immediately to either the form teacher or the Deputy Head.

Lines
The use of repetitive or mindless punishments such as writing out lines is not permitted.