Mackie Academy Classroom Merits System Classroom Merits System

Mackie Academy Classroom Merits System

Classroom Merits System Purpose and Aims The classroom merits system was introduced in order to recognise pupils’ positive achievements in all lessons and at all stages across the school. It should recognise those pupils whose attitude and application relate to the final line in our school expectations which states “In order to be all that you can be, work with a positive attitude and to the best of your ability” Mackie Academy

Mackie Academy

Classroom Merits System Five Merit Categories • • • Increased Effort* Improved Behaviour* Excellent Homework Excellent Teamwork / Leadership Faculty Specific * Clarification on use of first two categories on next page. Mackie Academy

Classroom Merits System Clarification of Merit Categories Initial feedback it has been indicated that the words “increased” and “improved” in the first two categories suggest use for pupils only who were previously poor and does not allow the pupils who consistently behave or put in outstanding effort; this however was not the intention of these categories. Whilst it is not possible for us to change the names of these categories during this academic session once they have been used, staff are advised to consider pupils for excellent/sustained behaviour or exceptional effort as this is in keeping with the spirit of the category intended. Mackie Academy

Classroom Merits System Use of Results and Awards • At the end of each term, a count of all merits (and demerits) will be used to establish which pupils will receive awards. • Pupils can receive awards at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels across the year. • Certificates for Bronze, Silver and Gold will be presented at termly Achievement Assemblies • Platinum Awards will be presented at Annual Prizegiving in Summer Term. Mackie Academy

Example of Results and Awards In Term 1, the merits/demerits report shows the following: Name Louise Graeme Kieran Iain Alan Helen Elaine Fiona Jill Barry Duncan Craig Merits Demerits Overall T 1 Award 23 0 23 Bronze 18 0 18 Bronze 17 2 15 Bronze 11 0 11 Bronze 10 0 10 Bronze 9 0 9 Bronze 9 1 8 5 5 0 2 3 -1 2 5 -3 0 7 -7 3 14 -11 If award level is set to 9 (overall) then awards are as follows: Mackie Academy

Example of Results and Awards In Term 2, the merits/demerits report shows the following: Name Graeme Elaine Louise Helen Fiona Iain Kieran Alan Barry Jill Duncan Craig Merits 21 19 16 14 13 9 11 6 5 3 4 0 Demerits Overall T 1 Award T 2 Award 0 21 Bronze Silver 0 19 Bronze Silver 0 16 Bronze Silver 2 12 Bronze 1 12 1 8 Bronze 5 6 Bronze 0 6 Bronze 1 4 2 1 4 0 4 -4 If award level is set to 11 (overall) then awards are as follows: Mackie Academy

Example of Results and Awards In Term 3, the merits/demerits report shows the following: Name Fiona Kieran Helen Elaine Iain Duncan Alan Graeme Louise Barry Jill Craig Merits 23 19 16 17 15 24 17 13 10 4 1 2 Demerits Overall T 1 Award T 2 Award T 3 Award 2 21 Bronze Silver 0 19 Bronze Gold 0 16 Bronze Silver 1 16 Bronze Silver 0 15 Bronze 9 15 Silver 3 14 Bronze Gold 0 13 Bronze Silver 2 8 Bronze Silver 2 2 6 -5 8 -6 If award level is set to 12 (overall) then awards are as follows: Mackie Academy

Example of Results and Awards In Term 4, the merits/demerits report shows the following: Name Merits Demerits Overall T 1 Award T 2 Award T 3 Award Helen 26 1 25 Bronze Silver Gold Kieran 20 0 20 Bronze Silver Graeme 20 0 20 Bronze Silver Gold Barry 23 4 19 Louise 19 1 18 Bronze Silver Duncan 19 2 17 Bronze Jill 18 3 15 Elaine 17 2 15 Bronze Silver Fiona 14 1 13 Bronze Silver Iain 9 0 9 Bronze Silver Alan 14 9 5 Bronze Silver Craig 7 7 0 T 4 Award Platinum Gold Platinum Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Gold If award level is set to 14 (overall) then awards are as follows: Mackie Academy

Classroom Merits System • As the example shows, the system allows that any pupil can achieve an award in each term regardless of their previous performance. • It also allows for students who join the school partway through the year to achieve awards. • The cut-off score for awards will change each term as they are of different lengths. It cannot however be decided until numbers of merits/demerits awarded are known as it is a new system. • Platinum Awards will include a small gift in addition to the Platinum certificate. Mackie Academy

“In order to be all that you can be, work with a positive attitude and to the best of your ability” Mackie Academy