7:00pm Thursday 18th March 2010
By Martin Lea
STUDENTS doing well in the classroom will be putting down the pens and picking up the popcorn thanks to a new reward scheme.
A Portland senior school has come up with a unique way to recognise pupil progress after linking up with Cineworld Weymouth.
The cinema giant has agreed to supply 10 free tickets a month to the Royal Manor Arts College.
The tickets will be given to Year 8 and 9 students as a reward for good progress and outstanding achievement.
Children lucky enough to receive one can use it to watch an appropriate film of their choice over the course of a month.
Director of student progress for Year 11 Angus Dawson and the college’s senior council came up with the idea after a survey of students.
Mr Dawson said: “One of the issues that arose was that students wanted a reward, something tangible, and not necessarily monetary.
“We had a brainstorming session to come up with ideas.
“Cineworld was in the back of my mind anyway because we’re an arts college specialising in dance and drama and the company seemed like a logical partner.”
Mr Dawson said the general manager of the Weymouth branch, Hazel Tandy, was very accommodating when the student council approached her with the idea.
The deal is worth about £500 a year, which Mr Dawson described as a ‘significant contribution’ from Cineworld.
He said: “We argued that if you give a child a ticket they won’t just go on their own, they will bring their friends or family members, so it’s a benefit to the company.”
The scheme will focus on Years 8 and 9 – pupils aged 12 and 13 – although reward ideas are being discussed for other year groups.
Mr Dawson said: “If you nurture endeavour early by rewarding it, it’s likely to become a habit.”
Cineworld Weymouth’s operations manager Darren Richards said: “We’re delighted to be working with Royal Manor Arts College and recognise the benefits to the community.”
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