The Copleston Rewards System

At Copleston we pride ourselves on a highly effective rewards system that acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and successes of all our pupils. Across the school – inside and outside the classroom – staff consistently practise a rewards system that provides our pupils with opportunities to be recognised and praised for their academic achievements, progress, contributions to the school community, behaviour and attendance. We strongly believe that pupils should be regularly and fairly rewarded for their achievements, to not only celebrate pupils’ successes, but to also inspire and motivate young people to achieve their very best and become confident, independent learners. This vision, in turn, raises standards and improves behaviour and attendance.

Outlined below are the various methods used across the school from Year 7 through to Year 13.

The Golden Ticket

The Golden Ticket is a new reward system which recognises outstanding performance by a student in any way at any time in the school.  This spontaneous and highly sought after reward is recognised by a prize (branded Copleston golden chocolate bars and Copleston golden pens), contact home and recognition amongst peers. Since its launch the Golden Ticket has received exceptional praise by staff and students alike. Teaching Assistants value the chance to offer instantaneous and deserved praise to pupils they support. Parents have emailed in expressing their thanks and appreciation stating how it is great to see pupils who deserve the merit receiving their Golden Tickets and being recognised for this

Go4Schools Rewards

Go4Schools rewards - offered on our electronic behaviour system daily - form the foundations of our effective rewards system here at Copleston. The beauty of Go4Schools Rewards is that they provide instant recognition of a pupil’s achievement in school. From an outstanding piece of classwork/homework, to an exceptional effort in a lesson, or from an act of kindness or generosity to a demonstration of superb progress. Go4Schools Rewards are used consistently and fairly across the whole school and are regularly monitored and celebrated by the Senior Management Team, the Leaders of Learning Team and Form Tutors. Pupils value this system and therefore strive to collect Go4Schools Rewards in order to achieve their Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Rewards (see below). This not only encourages healthy competition amongst our pupils, but also motivates and inspires them to go above and beyond the norm in becoming successful learners.

In addition to Go4Schools Rewards, we offer several other methods of rewarding our pupils on a daily and weekly basis.  Pupils' efforts and achievements may be acknowledged with; a phone call home, Copleston Reward stickers and/or a letter home to parents/carers.

Postcards Home

Copleston Postcards are sent home to our pupils and parents to recognise and praise a pupil for a particular achievement, act or effort. The exceptionally positive feedback from pupils and parents alike, suggests that this method of rewarding our pupils is highly valued and appreciated by all. All subject teachers, as well as the pastoral teams, use postcards to celebrate achievement and pupils really value receiving postcards as they provide them with a physical reward as recognition of their hard work, effort and commitment.

Achievement Assemblies

Achievement Assemblies are held termly and are an excellent opportunity to celebrate achievements in a formal, high profile manner. Through analysis of our Go4Schools Rewards system, individual subject nominations and attendance records we use Achievement Assemblies to praise and recognise the whole term successes of pupils who have consistently and continuously pushed themselves to achieve well. The reputation and high profile of this termly event involves the Principal, Deputy & Assistant Principals, Year Team, Form Tutors and Governors. Across the school, our pupils value and appreciate Achievement Assemblies as a means of being rewarded publicly amongst the year group. This, therefore, provides our pupils with an invaluable opportunity to support, share and celebrate each other’s successes together; which, in turn, promotes an acceptance of positive achievements and excellent behaviour.

There are a wide range of categories that students are recognised for in these Achievement Assemblies. These include rewards for attendance, rewards for excellent Learning Profile grades, rewards for subject achievements and rewards for the number of Go4Schools points achieved.

Go4Schools points are issued in lessons to students for a range of possible reasons. As a result of gaining these points students can achieve either a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level at the end of each term which can be exchanged for a range of prizes. 

Celebration Evenings

The Copleston Celebration Evenings are another high profile event within our rewards system. Celebration Evenings commend our nominated pupils for going the extra mile in one or more subjects or within the school community as a whole. Pupils can be nominated for an outstanding academic or sporting achievement, for achieving success against the odds or for making an exceptional contribution to the wider school community. This prestigious event is an opportunity to formally invite parents along to join us in commemorating their child’s successes and achievements. The evening includes an award ceremony hosted by the Senior Management Team, Year Team and Governors, entertainment provided by our pupils and a slideshow of photographs that document the highlights of the school year. This gratifying evening is a chance for staff, parents and pupils to chat informally. This part of the evening is welcomed by many and completes a fantastic evening celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students.

Whilst it is not expected that all students will be invited to this event every year, it is our aim to ensure that all students, within a year group, receive an invite at least once during their five years in the main school from year 7-11. These Celebration Evenings continue in the Sixth Form, where students have a further opportunity to showcase their talents.