By now, you've read all about us and we've told you how great we are, but don't just take our word for it!
"...really helps them to praise and provide positive reinforcement of good behaviour and effort."
Rivermead is a community special school for young people aged 11 to 19 years with a range of complex needs.
Rivermead had an established reward system that involved teachers using rubber stamps to enter 'merits' into the learners' home/school contact book. These had to be manually counted by tutors so the school were looking for an IT based solution to streamline the process.
Graham Sample, Assistant Head, says:
"Carrot Rewards has really rejuvenated Rivermead's reward system...learner interest in gaining rewards has really increased
The stickers were introduced to learners at assemblies and tutorial times explaining that they would replace the merit stamps, and we haven't looked back."
The tracking aspect of Carrot Rewards has allowed a more informed and consistent approach to pastoral care:
"Teachers...now have the ability to monitor how and where the learners are gaining the awards. This really helps them to praise and provide positive reinforcement of good behaviour and effort."
The adaptability of the system has seen also seen creative use of prize-giving competitions:
"We run competitions within subjects at the moment. The learner who gains the most points within the subject can make a choice e.g. in a music class choose a track for their class to listen to. Rewards can also be redeemed at the Carrot Shop where the most popular items have been balls and slinkies! The Carrot Shop is really flexible and even allows us to change 'prices' when we like, for example discounting Christmas items in January."
Communication with parents and carers is another important aspect of Carrot Rewards and one that is highlighted by Graham:
"Another significant benefit is how much parent involvement is enabled through the Carrot Rewards system. They can sign up to be able to see their child’s account giving them the opportunity to ask them about the rewards they are being given."
