Celebrations and Achievements
'Creating Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Everyone'
Celebration and Reward Systems
At Old Stratford Primary School, celebrating success is an important part of our culture. We believe that recognising effort, kindness, perseverance and achievement helps children to develop confidence, pride and a strong sense of belonging. Our celebration systems are designed to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be recognised for their strengths and contributions to our school community.
Each week, our school values are placed at the heart of our celebrations. During our celebration assembly, one child from every class is recognised for demonstrating the value of the week. These pupils are awarded a Values Badge, celebrating how they have embodied the attitudes and behaviours that make our school community strong.
Children can also earn special badges through participation in our Global Weeks, where they demonstrate curiosity, awareness and engagement with the wider world through our Global Curriculum.
In addition, we have a special “Always Award”, presented by the Headteacher. This award recognises a child who consistently demonstrates our school values in everything they do. Pupils who receive this honour are presented with a special star pin, celebrating their ongoing commitment to kindness, respect, effort and integrity across school life.
The key aims of our celebration and reward systems are:
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To ensure every child in the school has opportunities for reward, celebration and sharing of their achievements.
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To provide a variety of rewards that recognise both individual and team achievements.
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To maintain an inclusive approach, recognising that everyone is SMART at something.
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To involve parents and carers in celebrating their child’s success.
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To create an ethos of fun, excitement and pride, where celebrations feel like a big event for the whole school community.
Merit System
Every child in the school has the opportunity to earn Merits from any member of staff. These recognise positive behaviours, effort and contributions to the school community.
What earns a Merit?
Personal Conduct
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Demonstrating role model behaviour and setting a positive example for others
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Consistently using good manners and respectful language
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Showing integrity by being honest and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching
Effort and Learning
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Taking time and care with work, showing pride in presentation and accuracy
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Demonstrating perseverance and not giving up when learning becomes challenging
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Showing curiosity and initiative by asking thoughtful questions and going beyond expectations
Community and Relationships
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Supporting classmates with their learning or tasks
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Showing kindness, empathy and inclusion when helping friends
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Demonstrating teamwork and cooperation when working with others
SMART Values Badges
Children can also receive SMART Badges when they demonstrate the school values in action. These badges celebrate the character traits and behaviours that help all members of our school community flourish.
Merit Milestones
As children collect merits, they progress through a series of achievement stages:
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50 Merits – Bronze
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100 Merits – Silver
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150 Merits – Gold
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250 Merits – Platinum
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350 Merits – Diamond
At each milestone, children receive a certificate and can choose a reward from the school prize cabinet. The prizes increase in value and significance as pupils progress through the stages.
The rewards have been selected with input from the School Council, ensuring pupil voice is central to the system.
Student Council Reward Shop
Our Student Council runs and helps finance the school reward shop. The shop contains a range of prizes including toys, stationery and gadgets, giving children an exciting incentive to work towards their next merit milestone.
Through this system, we aim to ensure that effort, kindness, determination and community spirit are recognised and celebrated every day across our school.
