The Edinburgh Academy Junior School

Edinburgh Academy Junior School review work
Personally Tailored Teaching

Junior School Rewards & Incentives

Recognition and achievement

Children often seek to achieve and do their best without any thought of reward or recognition, simply for the intrinsic satisfaction of having mastered something. This is indeed the healthiest position and one that we would like all our children to reach eventually.

However, self-esteem in the young can be a fragile thing, so rewards and recognition are seen as important features of school life. In contrast to previous systems, we now eschew any whole school competitive system of rewards, i.e. any system based on collecting for oneself, one’s table, one’s class or one’s division, a number of stars or credits.
A system on many levels

Instead we have put in place a wide-ranging system of recognition, operating on many levels, which will ensure that each child feels valued and is motivated to give of his or her best.

For example the photograph at the top of this page and another below (right column) show 'celebration and review' of work. Primary 3 children are reading their work to Primary 6 children who in turn write a short review. It creates a nice link between younger and older children and gives the younger ones a real sense of achievement.

Valuing the individual

Assembly

assembly

One very visible example of our policy is to be found at the whole school assembly on Thursdays, which is taken by the Headteacher.

At this assembly, certificates are given out to children for a very wide range of achievements. It can be for success gained outside of school or within. Certificates can range from our own Global Citizenship Awards to awards for accomplishments in Skiing, Rugby, Football, Art and Design or Music. The list is endless.

Classroom

in class

At the classroom level, stickers and stamps are used sparingly, since children can get hooked on them. It is much more important, when motivating children to work harder or better, to focus on achievable targets for improvement, rather than by giving empty praise.

By consulting the section in this website on formative assessment, you will get a better idea of how feedback to children can keep them motivated, without the over-reliance on external rewards.

Congratulations!

efforts

Throughout the Junior School children have their efforts in all areas recognised by the means of congratulatory notes that go home to parents and certificates that are handed out by the Head of Department in weekly assemblies. Children may receive these for good work, for showing a caring attitude, for being helpful and for general good behaviour.

Responsibilities

wildlife garden

The awarding of notes and certificates of recognition is one important element, but in addition extra responsibilities may be given to some children, for leading school initiatives, such as road safety, the Eco-schools project, and so on.

Prefects

leadership

Also a prefect system is now in place – open to all who wish to apply for the role – to enable P6 children to demonstrate leadership in many areas of school life and to model for the younger boys and girls an exemplary attitude.

Self-motivation

working hard

Such wider roles within the school open up to the children as they grow and we hope that they will develop a healthy, self-motivated attitude towards achieving their potential.

 

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