Do other schools have systems like this?

[Lollipopday]

At my sons school they have a system to categorise the children’s behaviour. If they are really well behaved they put their name on a big shooting star, if they are just well behaved they can put their name on a big sun, if they mess around a bit they go on the cloud picture, and if they misbehave then they go on a thunder cloud picture. This begins in reception, where my son is. If he is on the thunder cloud he comes out of school feeling sad, and it’s really only for fairly minor things. My other son is in year five, and they often ask each other what they were on at the end of the school day, competing to be the best. They also enjoy telling me who had their names on the thunder cloud, which makes me uncomfortable. Anyway, just wondering if this sort of thing is widely used in other schools as it doesn’t sit well with me. I’m thinking of mentioning it to the school, but maybe I’m being over sensitive. Thanks

Urgh. I hate systems like this. It does nothing to help the children who simply cannot behave very well in school. Children with SEN, either diagnosed or undiagnosed, are very unfairly punished for things they have no control over. I would speak to the teacher and tell them my child will not be subjected to this system.

Unfortunately lots of schools still do use behaviour charts of various descriptions. Most teachers and schools I know would think it outdated and harmful.
With some quick googling you could find some articles to support your argument to the school.
Good luck, sorry your boys have this harmful nonsense in their day.

We have similar. It's pretty standard in primary I think.
I would be querying why he is often on the cloud though. Is he behaving well, is it disruptive or low level, and how can he be supported to improve?

Yes. Publicly shaming a child like this is abusive behaviour.

Not now, but DC's primary school had a traffic light system. It was badly managed and the same (SEN) children were on it day after day.

It is a very outdated technique in my view.

Thanks so much for commenting. It really is a horrible system isn’t it. I’ll get some info together and approach the school I think, maybe get some other parents on board.

Unfortunately it's still widespread in many schools. I disgree with it, and so do the vast majority of staff in my school. We prefer to praise positive behaviour, rather than publically shame children.

Imagine they did this in the staff room for trachers' performance that day?

Just to clarify, he isn’t on the thunder cloud that often, he’s generally very well behaved.

Ours certainly didn't have this bollocks when my three were of school age, I'm glad to say.

I think it is public shaming and favouritism, so it is shit. I'd consider mentioning your reservation about it to the school at the next available opportunity.

Systems like this are awful. It's the equivalent of the 'naughty table' which was considered outdated when I did my training many years ago.

We have a behaviour trail.

This used to be a physical thing- everyone's name/peg started on green but could go up through stages if child misbehaved.

Three years ago, policy changed so you would no now longer see anything in the classroom. However, the behaviour trail still exists as a series of steps to go through if needed.

@MissKeithsNeice

We have a behaviour trail.

This used to be a physical thing- everyone's name/peg started on green but could go up through stages if child misbehaved.

Three years ago, policy changed so you would no now longer see anything in the classroom. However, the behaviour trail still exists as a series of steps to go through if needed.

I would be much more comfortable with this

YANBU this is a dreadfully old fashioned and counterproductive system. Our (state) primary uses intrinsic motivation and a restorative behaviour management policy

Dreadful

We have to have it as part of our “classroom environment”. I make a big deal of moving children up - I don’t think I’ve ever moved them down. I give other consequences.
It’s also just one more bloody thing to think about. I prefer to give table points out because frankly I don’t like the behaviour chart thing, and it’s essentially useless in my classroom for anything other than positive reinforcement. They do love going up the chart and I have a few steps to reach the top but you always miss kids who were probably trying really hard to get to the top because and it’s just impossible to use it in a way that doesn’t have issues IMO.

I also had to speak to my regular supply cover because my children were saying she was consistently only moving the same children up (and she was, because their names were left there when I got back). Can’t be doing with it.

Yes, exactly this system actually. Where does your child go to school???

I visit lots of classrooms for work. Behaviour charts of one form or another are endemic. It’s hideous.
Even worse is when children are sent to move themselves down the chart. I cringe so much- walking across the room with everyone watching to move from green to orange or whatever. I hate it. Adults would never tolerate such public humiliation.

When my kids were at school they had positive things like the class marble jar and so on, but they and most of the other children would all complain that the ones who were generally well behaved had to go above and beyond to get any kind of recognition whereas, those who struggled in the classroom setting got rewards for almost anything.

Our school got rid of the behaviour scale this year. Replaced it with good behaviour tickets which are exchanged for marbles in a jar (adding up to a class reward). Also a huge Recognition Board in each classroom. So all positive sanctions. Much better.

Thanks therarebear, I’ll suggest something similar as an alternative for the current horrible system. After reading everyone’s comments I’m going to contact our school governor and ask for a much more positive replacement.

South East London

This sounds awful. At my DD's infant school they have star of the week. Only one child per class per week can be star of the week and my DD still felt a bit sad every week she didn't get it. She was so happy when she did but I couldn't cope with the system you describe.

I’m a primary school teacher and SENCO and I dislike systems like this, especially for pupils with SEN but for everyone really, but I have seen them being used.