The key to good behaviour
Like every school, Ysgol Cwm Brombil needed a proactive and constructive way to manage pupil behaviour. A consistent behaviour policy was only half of the solution: the school also needed an online system that facilitated easy communication between teachers and parents, and that kept pupils motivated and eager to perform well.
The answer came in the form of Class Charts software, which combines electronic seating plans with data on performance and behaviour that can be seen by pupils, other staff, and by each child’s parents using the Class Charts app. It also incorporates a rewards system whereby pupils earn points for good behaviour, which can be redeemed for various prizes, ranging from early admission to lunch to stationery, earphones and calculators.
As a new 3-16 school with 1100 pupils, the school needed a joined-up approach, and also a system that was easy to use.
“We wanted to address a lack of consistency in terms of behaviour and behaviour tracking. Like most schools we use SIMS, but found that we needed something that facilitated access to the data stored within,” says deputy head Eurig Thomas. “We wanted to create a behaviour policy that was simple, clear and easily tracked and Class Charts answers those needs. We liked the concept of having something so all-encompassing and easy to use. The fact you got the seating arrangements built in to Class Charts was a big plus, but it’s also a lot more than that.”
In particular, staff and pupils have embraced the facility to reward points for good behaviour. Just three months after introducing the system, 50,000 positive points had been awarded, averaging 50 per pupil.
“In assemblies we praise those who have gained the most points, and the system enables us to see and demonstrate a marked increase or decrease by any individual pupil,” says Eurig. “Over half of parents have already signed up to the app and there has been a lot of excitement among the pupils around winning points. Besides rewarding them, it can also teach the pupils how to save.”
Another bonus has been the prompt support provided by the products which are constantly evolving in response to feedback from clients.
“For example, we started using the homework app this term, and a request has come through from staff for push notifications for homework reminders. I know they are now working on that for us. Their customer service is superb; we get regular face to face training updates and they respond quickly to our emails.”
As the school develops, Class Charts, along with its Safeguarding software, have become an important key to its success, facilitating easy communication, record keeping, reporting and more.
“One of the things that has impressed me most is how easy these products are to use,” says Eurig. “There are positives across the board – and we are discovering more and more that we can do with the software – for example, the analytics enable you to follow patterns of behaviour, which is really useful between staff and between lessons. Without a doubt I would recommend these products to other schools.”
