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Chocolate 'makes pupils better' | Chocolate 'makes pupils better' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Norfolk headteacher has said there have been no exclusions from his school since he started rewarding pupils with chocolate for good behaviour. | A Norfolk headteacher has said there have been no exclusions from his school since he started rewarding pupils with chocolate for good behaviour. |
Dr Andrew Sheppard began the scheme in 2005, since when exclusion days at Redcastle Furze Primary in Thetford have dropped from 65 a year to zero. | Dr Andrew Sheppard began the scheme in 2005, since when exclusion days at Redcastle Furze Primary in Thetford have dropped from 65 a year to zero. |
Critics said he was contributing to childhood obesity and dental problems. | Critics said he was contributing to childhood obesity and dental problems. |
But Dr Sheppard said: "It has improved behaviour, they are polite and... they have a sense of responsibility." | But Dr Sheppard said: "It has improved behaviour, they are polite and... they have a sense of responsibility." |
In September 2005, Dr Sheppard pledged to give all 240 pupils a bar of chocolate if they made it to the half time break without any exclusions. | In September 2005, Dr Sheppard pledged to give all 240 pupils a bar of chocolate if they made it to the half time break without any exclusions. |
The scheme proved so successful it was extended term by term. Since then discos, picnics and Easter eggs have been handed out. | The scheme proved so successful it was extended term by term. Since then discos, picnics and Easter eggs have been handed out. |
Internet poll | Internet poll |
"We had people saying how terrible it was that we were bribing children and it was unsustainable," he said. | "We had people saying how terrible it was that we were bribing children and it was unsustainable," he said. |
"We had complaints saying we were contributing to childhood obesity and rotting teeth. | "We had complaints saying we were contributing to childhood obesity and rotting teeth. |
"But the children really liked it and it really works." | "But the children really liked it and it really works." |
Dr Sheppard said he hoped other schools would follow his lead. | Dr Sheppard said he hoped other schools would follow his lead. |
Earlier this year in an internet poll of 2,581 parents, 27% said teachers were giving their children sweets and three-quarters thought it was a bad idea. | Earlier this year in an internet poll of 2,581 parents, 27% said teachers were giving their children sweets and three-quarters thought it was a bad idea. |
At the time the School Food Trust said it would be better to use healthy food as a reward. | At the time the School Food Trust said it would be better to use healthy food as a reward. |