|
 This
series of Case Studies is edited by
Alison Closs and produced by Gina Reddie. Contact address:
Moray House Institute of Education
The University of Edinburgh
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh EH8 8AQ
Telephone 0131 651 6551, Fax 0131 651 6088
Email: ssen@education.ed.ac.uk
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Kelso
High School
Bowmont Street
Kelso TD5 7EG
Contacts:
Charlie Robertson - Rector
Anne-Theresa Lawrie - AHT
Tel: 01573 224444
Fax: 01753 227340
Email: ATLawrie@scotborders.gov.uk |
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Additional
activities
Pupils
enjoy and participate extensively in the very wide range
of activities beyond their formal curriculum. The following
sports activities (se Picture B) are offered: boys'
and girls' rugby; hockey; boys' and girls' basketball;
girls' football; table tennis; badminton; and interactive
sport. There are clubs for chess, chemistry and bridge
and groups that focus on environmental action, horticulture,
public speaking, creative writing, fabric work and Africom
(computers for Africa charity). Music making (see Picture
C) includes the girls' choir; Celtic instrumental group,
brass band and groups for string instruments, recorders
and woodwind. There are additional study opportunities
in all subject areas.
The
House System
The school
has a House System allowing cross-age identification
with a smaller grouping of pupils. The social purposes
of the system are enhanced by a monthly inter-house
challenge with a pupil-generated calendar of events
that offers chances to mix, have fun and demonstrate
very diverse talents and skills. The inter-house activities
ensure that all pupils can participate and have their
moments to shine. This year's programme includes a staff-pupil
sports challenge, a Megabowl trip for House captains,
an inter-house quiz, 'Stars in their Eyes', a cake decorating
challenge and both winter and summer sports days.
Recognising
effort and achievement
A six
month Working Party of pupils, parents and staff consulted
widely and developed strategies to ensure that the school
recognises the efforts and achievements of all pupils
in Kelso High School. A draft Policy on Recognising
Effort and Achievement was launched in 2000 and will
be finalised in 2001. The aims of the policy are to:
- recognise
effort at whatever level it occurs in all school activities
- generate
and maintain a positive ethos of effort and achievement
in the school
- boost
the self-esteem of our pupils
- encourage
all staff and pupils to strive for the highest possible
standards in all activities
- reward
those who improve and those who attain high standards
- recognise
excellence
- recognise
and reward contributions made by staff and pupils
to the school and the wider school community, with
outstanding service being recognised by the Freedom
of Kelso High School Award.
The school's
recognition of effort and achievement takes three main
forms, all of them evaluated very positively indeed
by pupils, parents and staff.
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| Picture
B: We are proud of the school's level
of participation and its success in sport. |
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| Picture
C: Participation in many kinds of music
making is widespread. |
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| Picture
D: Pupils, from youngest to oldest, appreciate
their efforts and achievements being recognised. |
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| Picture
E: Pupils involved in horticulture make
an outstanding contribution to our school's
appearance. |
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| 1.
Leavers' Evening |
| In
the past, S4 pupils left Kelso High School
without any formal celebration of their time
and achievements at school, implying unintentionally
that somehow they were less valued than other
later leavers. In order to demonstrate that
we do indeed value all our pupils, we have
a Leavers' Evening, planned by pupils and
teachers together, for all S4-S6 pupils who
are leaving school. Pupils are presented with
their Record of Achievement by a guest chosen
by the pupils. There is a leavers' handbook
which lists all names and destinations of
the leavers. Parents, friends, teachers and
pupils are all invited to attend the evening.
After the presentation of the Records of Achievement,
everyone present participates in a ceilidh
- and a good time is had by all! Many S4 pupils
now feel more valued by the school community
because of this more inclusive Leavers' Evening. |
| 2.
Celebration of Achievement Evening |
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This
event, which acknowledges excellence in
achievement, and effort, across the diverse
range of the school's activities, is held
in September. Success in sports, music,
poetry, creativity and subject areas is
recognised by the award of medals, the purchase
of which is enabled by donations from local
businesses. Parents, pupils and staff start
the evening listening to a brief launch
of the school's Standards and Quality Report
then proceed to visit the departmental displays
of pupil work. Medals are displayed in a
central location and picked up by pupils
at the end of the evening.
There
are a number of 'wandering minstrels' who
provide musical entertainment around the
school and a buffet for all in the middle
of the evening. The evening culminates in
the presentation of awards for sports, music,
poetry, Head Boy/Head Girl, the Dux and
Proxime Accessit. S6 pupils receive awards
for service to the school. The Freedom of
Kelso High School Award is given to a person
who has served the whole school community
outstandingly.
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| 3.
Certificates for Effort and Achievement |
| In
order to enhance an ethos of celebration of
effort and achievement in Kelso High School,
pupils from S1 to S6 are also awarded certificates
(see Picture D above) at house assemblies
for effort and achievement. Nomination forms
are issued to class teachers four weeks before
house assemblies. The PTA provides funding
to purchase the marbled effect paper for certificates
and the Rector signs all certificates. The
criteria for awards are based on effort and
achievement in class and also in extra-curricular
activities. Pupils involved in horticulture
classes (see Picture E above) and activities
received a special award from the Royal Bank
of Scotland for building a millennium garden
in the grounds of the school. Certificates
were initially only awarded to S1 and S2 pupils
but 88% of Senior Pupils indicated that they
also wanted the formal recognition of certificates
issued for S3 to S6 pupils. Need for recognition
does not have an age limit and certificates
can be, and are, incorporated into Records
of Achievement by the pupils. |
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| Pupils'
views on certificates |
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Certificates
make pupils feel good about themselves - important
that certificates are for effort and achievement.
Fair system because everyone's effort recognised.
Very good for S1 and S2 pupils because it motivates. |
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S5
pupil |
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Pupils
feel rewarded for the work they have done and it
makes them work harder. Good idea to continue system
from S2 to S2 to other year groups because everyone
feels more valued if their effort and achievement
are recognised. |
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S5
pupil |
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| Staff's
views on certificates |
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I
welcome the opportunity to be able to recognise
the efforts of all pupils in Kelso High School.
I have recently nominated my S1-S3 girls' football
team (Picture A on previous page) for effort certificates
because they turn up for matches every week - rain,
hail or sunshine. We all need to feel that our efforts
are recognised and that we are valued - the presentation
of certificates to all pupils allows this opportunity.
The certificates boost the self-esteem of pupils. |
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Teacher |
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Everyone
likes to be told they are doing well and the effort
certificates are one way for teachers to give pupils
a pat on the back. Be proud of them! |
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Senior
Teacher/Parent |
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