Positive Rewards and Positive Rewards and Praise in St. Margaret’s Praise in St. Margaret’s Academy.Academy.

Karyn Reilly and

Sonia Ryan

Workshop AimsWorkshop AimsTo share the wide range of systems

and strategies departments and faculties use throughout the school to celebrate success and reward pupils.

To collate ideas of ongoing practice in individual classrooms and generate discussion surrounding the idea of ‘praise’ and ‘reward’ and its impact on pupils.

Social Subjects StarsSocial Subjects StarsOn the wall and announced at assemblies. Given for a range of activities the class teacher

views as excellent , such as: effort, behaviour, consistently good homework etc.

Social SubjectsSocial SubjectsPupil work displayed and updated regularly

so pupils feel their contribution is valued.Stamps - simple way of ensuring pupils know

they are doing well. Also not too much in terms of teachers having to put lots of comments.

Positive comments on work. Comments in planners - maintains contact

with home. They try to make time for positive comments also in the planners as it was becoming the case that it was only used for more negative information.

English English

EnglishEnglish

Use a variety of ‘instant praise’ such as: stickers, raffle tickets, star prizes and sweets.

Run weekly rewards such as ‘Quiz Fridays’ and ‘Freaky Fridays’.

Write positive comments home in the pupils’ planners to praise individual success.

Display good work across department and corridors.

English Burns’ ProjectEnglish Burns’ ProjectCelebrating SuccessCelebrating Success

Health and TechnologyHealth and TechnologyS1- The department operate a positive

sticker scheme in their planner: the aim is to get six stickers and achieve a certificate.

S2- Awards for ‘Clean Cook, Tidy Cook’ and the certificate is presented during assemblies.

S3/4- ‘The Culinary Skills Award’ where the highest achieving pupil wins a trophy and is presented at the awards ceremony.

Primary 7 Transition- CRES Award (confident individuals, responsible citizens effective contributors and successful learners) which promotes success and achievement.

Health and TechnologyHealth and Technology

ScienceScienceThe department celebrate success

by using outside agencies such as: ‘National Science and Engineering Week’ and the ‘CREST Awards’. Pupils receive a certificate of participation.

Pupil work is displayed throughout classrooms and corridors.

Praise and reward sticker charts are in operation in various classrooms as well as a star pupil scheme.

Science FairScience Fair

Modern LanguagesModern Languages

The department operate a ‘star pupil’ board to celebrate success and achievement.

Frequent use of stickers and stamps and positive comments in pupils’ jotters.

Modern Languages Modern Languages

Modern LanguagesModern Languages

Physical EducationPhysical EducationThe department display their ‘Sporting Superstars’ in The department display their ‘Sporting Superstars’ in their corridor. their corridor.

MathsMathsThe department use certificates for personal The department use certificates for personal achievement and Mathematician of the Week. achievement and Mathematician of the Week. They show case work, have prizes for inter-class They show case work, have prizes for inter-class competitions, participate in inter-school Maths competitions, participate in inter-school Maths Challenges.Challenges.

MusicMusicWider AchievementWider Achievement

MusicMusicThe department celebrate their weekly The department celebrate their weekly recording artists. recording artists.

TLCTLCAcknowledge their shining Acknowledge their shining stars.stars.

TLC TLC Green RoomGreen Room

Over to you…Over to you…

Each group will have one of the following questions on their table:

1. What is your earliest memory of receiving praise and how did it affect you?

2. Why is praise important to individual pupils?3. What impact does praise have on your

classroom environment?4. How does praise impact on our our whole

school ethos and community?

ReferencesReferencesMorgan, N., and Ellis, G. (2011) A Kit Bag for

Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Classroom. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Carnell, E. and Lodge, C. (2002) Supporting Effective Learning. London: Paul Chapman Publishing

Galton, M., Steward, S., Hargreaves, L., Page, C., and Pell, A. (2009). Motivating your Secondary Class. London: SAGE.

Nash, R. (2009) The Active Classroom – Practical Strategies for Involving Students in the Learning Process. California: Corwin Press.