Local News

Points mean prizes for city students

The school which has the worst GCSE pass rate in the Devon County Council area has started awarding prizes of iPods and TV sets to kids for turning up and not attacking teachers.

St James' High was placed in special measures by OFSTED inspectors for 18 months after it failed an inspection in 2005. In an attempt to motivate the the kids 'The Ladder of Success' stamps are given out electronically and a trophy for best tutor group is awarded every half term.

Director of behaviour Calvin Thain said: "It has encouraged a really positive climate - before in combating bad behaviour we had to emphasise consequences rather than rewarding students."

So it seems our kids will no longer be taught what consequences are. When they aren't rewarded for not breaking into cars and beating up little old ladies there's bound to be more than a little disappointment.

We were always taught 'action - consequence', as they say in the matrix, but it seems kids these days are more responsive to 'inaction - fabulous prizes!'

A similar reward scheme was trailed two years ago but pupils say prizes weren't good enough to warrant a change in behaviour.

One student said: "I have been behaving better in lessons, I wasn't exactly very good before but since the reward system was introduced it's made me change."

Now you can spend all your pocket money on iTunes, you good little consumer you.

Original story