Does your school have an alternative system to Golden Time?

[OdinsLoveChild]

I hate Golden Time, it's just been introduced to our school along by the new head (I wish they would think up their own ways of running a school instead of just carrying over something from their previous schools) .

The head has removed afternoon breaks for years 5/6 and replaced it with this Golden Time where the year 5/6 students can earn an afternoon break of 30 minutes on a Friday instead (none of this doing painting/baking/sports activity stuff) . Not exactly something to inspire the children and not exactly a reward if its chucking it down with rain and their stuck inside, it's more of a reminder of whats been taken away from them .

I have spoken with the head (he asked me what I thought so far, I didnt go in 'guns blazing' complaining about it or anything) about 'golden time' and explained why I think its not really suitable but he is adamant he wont change it unless someone can suggest a better system (he wants recognised school/education websites and online documents to refer to) . He believes there is no better behaviour/discipline system and its been used in all the schools he has ever taught in.

What works in your school that isn't Golden Time?

Our school has golden time and dD does love it, there are a few different activities to choose from, could be a film, singing, craft, dancing, playing etc. If you're bad during the week you can lose golden time in increments of 5 mins. I disagree with it as a system of punishment ( losing golden time) especially for the younger children - it separates the punishment for the behaviour too much. A 5 year old doesn't really remember what it was that happened on Monday that they are being punished for on Friday.

Separates punishment from the behaviour.

My school use good to be green. It's a proper system and works well. Children earn privilege cards for good work/behaviour etc. and can choose to 'spend' them on a range of privileges e.g. One privilege card could be to sit on the teacher's chair for a lesson or to choose to sit next to a friend, up to six privilege cards where they may go around with the head or deputy for 20 mins ish to give out stickers or work in the school office for half an hour or so. The class decides what they can spend privilege cards on at the start of the year so it all fits in well with British Values - individual liberty etc as the children have a choice in the rules and a choice of what they spend their privilege cards on. At the other end of the spectrum, they have a verbal warning, then a yellow card that can be earned back. If they don't earn it back or continue with poor behaviour, they get a red card, which means miss play time and a letter home to parents/carers. If there's extreme or violent behaviour, it's an instant red card.

Our school has removed it after advice from a consultant... its the whole la as far as i know

In addition to the Friday, there is mindfulness strategies that are part of the everyday procedures, particularly around trainsition. Lots of fantastic strategies used by that class and across the school.

This is the system we use if it is useful to anyone. We've found it very effective after stopping golden time. We found that golden time was great for those children who might have occasional slip ups or who were green all of the time, but for the repeat offenders, who would always end up losing it, it hadn't no effect whatsoever.
www.primaryteaching.co.uk/goodtobegreen

Op, your school's golden time is rubbish! The whole class loses it? I thought the idea of golden time was that it was a reward for the ones who just get on with good behaviour all the time and don't usually get noticed. When it is lost, it the child should have a warning and then if bad behaviour continues they lose 5 minutes at a time. They should sit with a timer and watch the others play until their time is up. This should be for individuals, not the whole class. I would definitely speak to your head about changing it. Or better still, get school council onto it. Pupil voice and all that.