Good work is rewarded with merits and good grades.

However, good behaviour, which includes being kind and helpful, standing up in assemblies to receive certificates and awards and all the qualities you want from a child regardless of academic ability, are rewarded in my classroom by “climbing up the ladder to the groovy box”.

Each child has a laminated arrow which they have decorated with patterns and their name. They use this arrow to “climb” the rungs of a ladder attached to the wall and whoever is highest at the end of the week gets a prize from the “groovy box” - perhaps toys or stationery.

They love the idea and it provides an opportunity for the “non-academics”

to be rewarded

Matt Spraggs teaches Year 5 pupils at the Park School in Bournemouth, Dorset