Promoting good work at SAIL

'Instead of using punitive measures, we have found that a reward system
is a much more effective way of getting kids motivated and behaving well.

The chart is divided into four weeks. The idea is that after three weeks
of Good Work, the student is allowed a ‘reward week’ during which they
can do something they especially enjoy– games, reading or soemthing else the tutor and student agree on (and that we approve).

Before the chart is put into action, there needs to be a (very
brief) meeting involving one of the coordinators, who explains what
concerns they/the tutor have and discusses with the student what might
be done to improve things. The student’s parents may be involved if they are present on Saturdays and it is neccessary. This isn’t meant to be a ‘telling off’ session, just a chance for acknolwledgment of any problems and a brainstorming session for possible improvements.

Tutors may decide on what constitutes a good week’s work, as it is
usually relative to the particular student! In order for a good week to
be verified, the sheet must be signed by the tutor, who also writes a
few comments about what they did during the session. The student should then take the sheet with their tutor to the co-ordinators, who also sign it – this adds a great deal of ‘weight’ to the occasion so that its all very ‘official’ and taken seriously!

They also get a stamp or a sticker to put on the chart. Finally, the student themselves signs it – this gives them a sense of achievement and allows them to participate personally in the whole proceeding.

To download a standard Good Work Sheet to fill in for use on Saturdays please click here for Word .doc or Adobe .pdf