Rewarding Effort and Celebrating Success at BPS

At The Birkenhead Park School (BPS), personal development is woven into the curriculum and embedded in every aspect of school life.

We ensure that our students have regular opportunities to develop a wide range of personal skills and are fully equipped to succeed in all areas of modern life, both within and beyond school.

Our personal development offer includes high-quality careers education and guidance, a rich SMSC curriculum incorporating Religious Education, a comprehensive PSHE programme, and age-appropriate RSE (Relationships and Sex Education). Students also explore topics such as fundamental British values, relationships and health education, and ethical and cultural awareness - helping them build character, resilience, and respect.

We also recognise that praise, encouragement, and positivity play a vital role in shaping our young people. Celebrating their efforts is important to us. Our students achieve incredible things every day, and we are proud to reward them for their hard work.

One way we do this is through our wide range of rewards. Day-to-day, students across all year groups earn positive points for excellent work, completing homework, good concentration, strong attendance, and many other achievements. Positive points are visible to parents via Class Charts and are totalled each week in preparation for Freddo Friday.

As the name suggests, each Friday, the students with the most points receive a delicious chocolate treat—Freddos.

Every member of staff also has five ‘golden tickets’ to hand out each week. Worth ten points each, these are given to students who truly stand out – through exceptional effort, attitude, or achievement.

Participants in the BPS University Challenge – a programme designed to give students in Years 7-9 ownership of their learning through five academic tasks across a range of subjects – are also consistently recognised. At the end of each stage, students receive a certificate of completion, culminating in a special graduation ceremony in July, complete with caps and gowns. Those who complete all three years of the challenge are presented with a special trophy to celebrate their dedication.

Throughout the year, we also hold a variety of raffles with exciting prizes, giving students additional opportunities to be acknowledged for their engagement and contributions. Most recently, our breakfast club raffle selected one winner from each year group, with students taking home a huge hamper filled with breakfast treats.

We host end-of-term awards assemblies, too, and finish the year with a final celebration recognising the achievement of students across all years.

Beyond the classroom, rewards also include memorable trips that enrich personal development and broaden students’ experiences. This includes Activity Day each July, where learners choose their destination or activity. Last year’s options included Go Ape, Alton Towers, an Alpaca Farm, Gulliver’s World, Knowsley Safari Park, and more – providing a wonderful day to celebrate students’ hard work throughout the year.

This year, learners have already enjoyed several subject-specific trips, including a history visit to London to explore Westminster Hall and witness a live debate in Parliament, a music trip to LIPA for a fantastic Women in Music conference, and a STEM-focused visit to Unilever Research & Development for an innovative Product Design project. Upcoming opportunities include trips to the theatre, PGL Adventures’ Boreatton Park, and even a visit to New York in March 2026.

These trips are designed to reward our students, broaden their horizons, and provide experiences that support their ongoing development. Celebrating our young people in these ways not only recognises their individual achievements but also helps to create a motivating environment for everyone.

Miss Clarke, Assistant Headteacher and lead on personal development, said: “We understand how much our young people value being rewarded for being a positive member of our school community. It boosts their confidence and reminds them that their efforts truly make a difference. We want every student to feel proud of what they achieve and to contribute to the positive school culture we foster here at BPS.”

The Birkenhead Park School is proud to be a school on the up, committed to celebrating our learners and supporting them as they continue to thrive, and we look forward to sharing more of their successes throughout the year.