They Behave For Me Should we ban merits and reward points? Question time!
Mar 13, 2026
They debate whether merits and reward points actually undermine motivation and explore practical alternatives that celebrate genuine effort. Strategies to engage low-effort Year 9s and enforce learning with short tests and peer-assessment are covered. They explain how to structure effective CPD and whether centralized resources deskill staff. Advice on preparing for pastoral leadership and coping with imposter feelings rounds things out.
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Ditch If-Then Rewards For Meaningful Recognition
- Avoid routine if-then rewards because they shift students' aim from learning to earning merits.
- Use surprise recognition and targeted praise instead, and reject recognitions that reward baseline behaviour to keep standards high.
Make Homework About Learning Not Completion
- Test short, taught tasks at lesson start and hold students accountable by checking evidence of deliberate practice.
- Students below the pass mark stay after class for monitored practise and detentions if they haven't recorded the work.
Provide Whiteboard Pens But Enforce Responsibility
- Provide pens and a classroom stash but require students to bring core equipment and use form tutors to check daily.
- Use small deposits (planner temporarily held) to prevent students keeping school pens.
