How to implement and record a Student merit award system? by Mr Healy

2024-09-12 14:16:23 UTC

Currently - or in the past - information may not have been shared with new staff:

Merits are awarded by adding them to pupils homework diaries. We add a sticker or sketch and write what the merit is for, then initial it. It is then seen by parents when they sign the diary. When register teachers check diaries they record number of merits awarded in the registration sheet - the office then has an up-to-date record of merits awarded to each pupil.

This has been a House challenge previously - with merits added up for each team - the glass trophy in the trophy cabinet was awarded to the team with most merits and they got to choose a treat.

The same system could work for the first two merit awards, and HT merits could be noted in diaries in the same way, then they would be included by register teachers and added to the register sheet.

It should be straight forward!

From Staff Meeting Aug 2022

2024-09-12 14:24:08 UTC

2024-09-12 17:03:57 UTC

I think if secondary were to change to a tiered approach to merits, Primary staff would need to be consulted. Primary award so many merits that it could be really hard to manage the number of pupils coming for DHT recognition. I personally find it a chore asking pupils to get out diaries and record it there, I would prefer a class tally chart and that makes awarding merits more instant and then the ripple effect of 'they've got a merit, I better try harder' rather than waiting for the end of a lesson to give merits. I think the House captains should take ownership for collecting and displaying totals. It puts more of an onus on pupils rather than adults counting them up and might spark a bit of competition?

Merits

2024-09-13 08:07:42 UTC

As Eyvor said a merit scheme has been embedded in Secondary for some time and should be suitable to use again. Adding the merits to the registration sheet (weekly) worked quite well as they could then be collated using excel. In the past the HT had an overview of the scheme and overall 'house' merits were counted up at the end of each term. It's good for the merits to initially go into the diaries too as parents and the register teacher can see what's been awarded and add a comment if they wish.

Merits

2024-09-14 10:46:02 UTC

Would it be worth considering having a re-launch of the merits system with pupils. Having a selection of maybe four or five treats which pupils should vote on to be the end of term prize. The end goal is identified at outset with a target cut off date for merits to be achieved by. This way it allows time to plan for and ensure the treat happens before the end of term. The scheme loses value when the pupils feel the treat is intangible. Perhaps the TV screen in the rotunda could be used to display the running total so that pupils are aware of the chase!

2024-09-15 11:51:40 UTC

I would agree with Pauline in the awarding of merits in secondary, I have to hold up my hands and say that I award very few merits in secondary but do award them in primary as it's quick and easy, and pupils respond positively to them.

I wonder what pupils think about the merit system in secondary, does it motivate or interest them? Certainly at sports events they are motivated to win and get the points but what about the rest of the time? If they're not interested in getting merits what would make it something they were invested in?

2024-09-18 15:18:42 UTC

Agree with comments about re-launch (with pupils and staff) and motivation.

All teachers won't be aware of the scheme LSWs, office staff, janitor could also be included.

In my experience secondary pupils can be motivated by getting merits - I'd say one of them was fighting a smile last week when he got one! Good idea to have choice of treats and a clear plan of when they would be. Small prize at end of each term, or just one at end of year?