The Breckenbrough merit scheme is designed to reward positive endevour in the classroom and out of school. The aim is to encourage the pupils to achieve above "their norm" both educationally and behaviourally, thus raising their expectations and self esteem. Further the scheme is intended to improve the pupils attitude to the classroom, making it more of an environment where they want to and can succeed and reduce the feeling of threat and intimidation that the classroom tends to invoke in Breckenbrough Boys. In the long term the Scheme will raise expectations and enhance progress.

Merits should be awarded where boys have made a conscientious and determined effort to overcome their educational and behavioural problems and not just for the completion of a piece of work.

It is essential that the merits are not devalued and are awarded for a substantial achievement. The areas where merits should be awarded would include:-

1. The completion of a good piece of work.
2. For showing determination and commitment in overcoming some work that they found difficult.
3. For maintaining concentration when normally their mind might wander.
4. For very good (exceptional) behaviour.
5. For showing good self control in a situation where the boy would react unacceptably.
6. For helping and supporting other boys and staff

Teachers should note down the name of the boy and the reason for the merit in the Headteachers 10 to 9 book at the end of the school day.

The Headteacher will announce those boys who have achieved merits in Assembly. The number of merits will be put in the school reports and reviews.

Each merit will be worth 10p and will accumulate over a half term. At the end of the half term, each boy will recieve the accumulated value of the merits that they have been awarded on the last day of the half term.