Headteachers Awards
HEADTEACHERS AWARDS
At Reigate Parish, we aim to achieve an all-round education for the pupils at the school through creative learning opportunities and a varied curriculum.
We also strive to develop all areas of a child’s character so that our pupils are equipped for everyday life, both in and outside of school.
One way we do this is by encouraging and including the aspects of Chris Quigley’s ‘Secrets of Success’ within our curriculum, assembly content, rewards and achievements, everyday language and purposeful praise. The ‘Secret of Success’, and our own school values, are entwined into Reigate Parish life without us even noticing.
Our school is a special place to learn, work, spend time together and grow as individuals.
We aim to encourage and create opportunities for the children to:
- Try new things
- Work hard
- Concentrate
- Push yourself
- Imagine
- Improve
- Understand others
- Don’t give up
A rather exciting way that we seek to encourage the children’s all-round development, is through the Headteacher’s Award.
What is the Headteacher’s Award?
The Headteacher’s Award is a fun and progressive scheme that has been devised within school for all Year 5 and 6 children to enjoy participating in. It is not compulsory and in addition to weekly homework.
The scheme is divided into 3 stages; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Within each stage there are 8 areas; including try new things, work hard, concentrate, push yourself, imagine, improve, understand others, and don’t give up.
Each area includes a broad range of different activities for the children to complete, that will motivate them to achieve personal goals. The activities are designed to be accessible to all children, manageable for children of this age, but increasing in challenge through each stage.
It is an inclusive scheme through which children can reach their potential, and do their best. Children are supported in school and we hope that families will provide opportunities for the children to succeed and enjoy this programme at home too.
For example, “to push yourself” the children can choose to eat something that they’ve never tried before, or help an adult cook and prepare a light meal.
The main purposes are for the children to take up new challenges, learn to be independent and organised, focus their attention and get enjoyment from participating in the scheme.
Other aims of the scheme are to develop levels of independence and prepare the children for everyday life, secondary school and being part of the wider community. Therefore, attached to each award are ‘The Reigate Parish Non-Negotiables’ which aim to encourage positive attitudes and provide practical suggestions for developing independence. We also aim to encourage the children, with adult support where necessary, to learn to be organised, manage their time, themselves and school work.
The Year 5 children starting the scheme with the Bronze Award. It has been launched by me with them this week. Year 6 may wish to start, if they haven’t already, or continue at their pace.
In order to achieve the Bronze Award, the children need to complete at least one activity from each of the eight areas. They are welcome to do more, if they’re enjoying the scheme.
The first opportunity for the Year 5 children to complete the Bronze Award is at the end of the Autumn Term. Therefore, they do not need to race to complete it.
When the children are ready to show their teacher their folder, they can. Some children in Year 5 will move on to work on and achieve Silver, if they’re deemed ready by their class teacher.
Gold is reserved for children in Year 6, and it is intended to take longer, with greater depth, stretch, and content.
During Year 6, some children may still be completing Bronze. That is ok. By the end of Year 6, it would be amazing to have a significant number of children achieving Gold if they are inspired to.
How do we celebrate the children’s achievements?
We celebrate the children’s achievements during an end of term service and award them with a badge and certificate to collect. The children also receive house points along the way plus recognition and support from their class teacher. Each scheme involves planning ahead, ticking off, keeping a suitable record, and sharing with the class teacher. Dates for the celebrations will be issued in Parish Post, for you to plan towards. Usually they fall at the end of each term. It is important that your child shows their teacher their completed work by the deadline if they want to receive the badge and certificate please.
What happens now?
The activities are intended to work alongside the child’s natural interests and fit in with activities you might be planning to do as a family. They are broad, and can be ‘tweaked’ to suit your child’s interests. It is not intended to incur unwanted expense or feel a burden for you.
We also wish to work in partnership with you and your families at home - it will be wonderful to hear about your adventures! The children can complete the challenges at any opportunity outside of school. Teachers and Mrs Davis enjoy looking at children’s folders.
In order to keep a record of the children’s achievements, we’d like your child to create a Headteacher’s Award folder.
We’re asking that all children are provided by parents with a ring binder, dividers and plastic wallets ASAP please. Children can organise their projects as they wish, and be as creative as they can.
Do speak to a member of staff, in confidence, if purchasing these items will prove difficult for your family.
Within the folder, the children will keep the overview of each stage (which they will have been given by their class teacher this week).
Your child can be as creative as they wish and we’re excited to see how individuals will personalise their experiences and projects. We’d like the children to track their achievements with dates, written work, photographs, even ticket stubs and more! If your child wishes to see examples of projects completed by children who have left our school, we have some that we can show. The activities are deliberately broad so that children can interpret them to suit their interests, opportunities available to them and their personalities. Please do not feel that it should incur unnecessary expense. For example, do not plan a trip to Wales to climb Snowdon, unless you were going to anyway!
As we launch this venture with the Year 5 children, and refresh knowledge with the Year 6 children, we’re excited to see where it takes them and the adventures that you all could have!
