Pupils do like to receive praise and respond well to a reward system.  The system of issuing referrals to pupils should promote positive attitudes, reward genuine effort, raise self-esteem and help the school ethos.

Categories for the award of positive referrals:

Progress "can be awarded for significant improvement/progress in: behaviour, homework, quality of work, attitude."
Commitment "can be awarded by a subject teacher for consistent hard work, high application, consistently good homework - all over a period of time (term) or awarded by any member of staff for commitment to extra-curricular activities, events, committees, competitions, etc."
Guidelines to staff on the award of a positive referral:

a positive referral should be earned and be the result of real effort by a pupil
the award of a PR for classwork or homework should normally be based on a substantial block of work (8/12 weeks)
the award of a PR for out-of-class or extra-curricular activity should be for sustained commitment or progress
when a PR is written, the pupils should be told and have the reason for the award explained
it is recommended that the award of a PR is kept relatively low-key as pupils prefer quiet feedback
the writing of a PR should be seen as a celebration of commitment or progress and not a chore
all staff should seek appropriate opportunities to write PRs
Positive Referral Certificates:

for 5 PRs, pupil is awarded a Standard Certificate
for 10 PRs, pupil is awarded  a Silver Certificate
for 15 PRs, pupil is awarded a Gold Certificate.
 When a pupil earns a PR certificate, a letter is sent home to inform parents of their child's achievement and to allow them to share in their child's success.  The names of pupils who have earned certificates will be read out at the annual awards ceremonies.