English - Democracy at school (A2 - B1 with subtitles)

Summary

The transcript highlights a unique tutoring system at Swayze Secondary School in Cambridgeshire, which utilizes vertical tutor groups to foster relationships across different year levels. This approach aims to reduce bullying and promote a supportive environment, with students from various ages learning from each other. The school also implements a clear system of rewards and sanctions to encourage positive behavior and academic achievement. Students earn merits for good work, leading to certificates and prizes, emphasizing the importance of motivation and community in the educational experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students at Swayze School in Cambridgeshire arrive on a school bus and participate in tutor groups.
• 😀 The tutor group system is designed to promote discussion about discipline, academics, and personal issues.
• 😀 Each tutor group consists of students from different year groups, encouraging peer support and interaction.
• 😀 The vertical tutor system helps foster relationships between younger and older students, reducing bullying concerns.
• 😀 Each house in the school has a senior tutor and a student support assistant available to help students.
• 😀 The school emphasizes a clear system of rewards and sanctions to promote positive behavior and academics.
• 😀 Students can earn curriculum credits for good work, which can lead to certificates and prizes.
• 😀 Certificates are awarded for achieving milestones like 25 or 60 curriculum credits throughout the year.
• 😀 The school encourages competition and goals to motivate students in their academic pursuits.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of the system is to ensure students come to school to achieve, with rewards as an added incentive.

Q & A

What is the tutor group system used at Swayze Secondary School?

The tutor group system involves small groups of students from different year groups meeting with a teacher to discuss school issues and personal matters.

How does the vertical tutor system differ from traditional year group systems?

In the vertical tutor system, students from various year groups are mixed together in small tutor groups, promoting interaction and support among different ages.

What are the benefits of having older and younger students in the same tutor group?

This arrangement helps reduce concerns about older students and fosters friendships, which can combat bullying.

How many students are typically in a tutor group?

Each tutor group usually consists of about 20 students from different year groups.

What role do senior tutors and student support assistants play in the school?

Senior tutors oversee each house in the school, while student support assistants handle student inquiries and issues, providing consistent support.

What types of rewards are offered to students for good behavior and academic performance?

Students can earn curriculum credits, which are akin to merits, and can receive certificates and prizes based on their accumulation of these credits.

What is the maximum number of curriculum credits a teacher can award in a lesson?

A teacher can award a maximum of two curriculum credits per lesson.

What happens when students reach 25 and 60 curriculum credits?

Reaching 25 credits earns students a certificate, while reaching 60 allows them to participate in a prize draw at the end of the year.

How does the school promote good behavior and academic achievement?

The school has a clear system of rewards and sanctions, along with various initiatives aimed at encouraging positive behavior and achievement.

What motivates students to come to school according to the speaker?

The main motivation for students is to achieve academically, while rewards serve as additional encouragement.