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
Merits (Lower School)
Commendations (Third Year)
High Grades on Geists and Reports
House Colours (Junior, Inter and Senior)
School Colours
Challenge Certificates
Speech Day Prizes

The Merit System (Lower School)

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

Commendations System (Third Year)

Commendations can be awarded to Third Year pupils 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 competition for the Third Year. The pupils that gain the highest numbers of commendations will be rewarded with suitable recognition.

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 and prefects.

It takes place on a Wednesday (1:15pm - 1:45pm) and a Friday lunchtime (1:00pm -1:30pm) supervised by Prefects and will normally involve a litter pick or some other practical chore. Pupils may postpone until the next Gating due to House/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 - 5:30pm) 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 which parents are asked to sign and return to the Deputy Head. Detentions can only be deferred in extreme circumstances and with prior permission from the Deputy Head.

Saturday Detention : These take 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 or the Head of the Boarding House. 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 Head of Department or the Deputy Head.

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