C5. Celebrate Successes toolkit
Toolkit
Celebration is not a bolt-on, it is part of how culture is built. Effective leaders hard-wire recognition into the life of the school so that staff and students are regularly seen, valued, and motivated. Celebrating successes signals what matters most, by linking achievements to the school’s values and goals. Done well, it boosts morale, builds momentum, and reinforces the behaviours and standards leaders want to multiply. The most effective leaders plan their celebrations in advance to ensure balance, visibility, and impact across the whole community.
| Date/Window |
| Identify when the celebration will take place. This may be weekly (e.g. postcards, assemblies), termly (e.g. awards, house competitions), or annual (e.g. prize-giving, leavers’ events). Creating a rhythm ensures recognition is consistent and expected. |
| Who/What We Celebrate |
| Be clear about who or what is being recognised: individual students, staff teams, classes, departments, or whole-school achievements. Include a mix of academic, cultural, and service contributions. |
| Link to Value/Goal |
| Tie each celebration directly to a school value or strategic priority. This reinforces alignment and ensures that recognition strengthens the culture you want to embed. |
| How We Celebrate |
| Define the method of celebration, from assemblies and certificates to newsletters, phone calls home, or surprise thank-you gestures. Vary the format to keep it fresh and meaningful. |
| Visibility (Who Sees It) |
| Decide who should witness the celebration. Some successes need public recognition, while others may be best celebrated in smaller, more personal ways. |
| Impact/Feedback |
| Capture the effect of the celebration. Did it motivate others? Did it strengthen alignment with values? Did it make people feel recognised and valued? Use this feedback to refine future celebrations. |
| Reflection Prompts |
| Whose success isn’t being seen? How do we broaden the spotlight to make sure recognition reaches across all areas of the school? |
C5. Celebrate Successes: example toolkit
Role: Head Of Year
| Date/Window |
| I run weekly recognition on Friday afternoons, tied to the end of each week’s attendance and behaviour data. Fortnightly assemblies feature Values in Action awards, and at the end of each term I lead a larger celebration assembly recognising sustained effort and contribution across subjects. |
| Who/What We Celebrate |
| I celebrate students demonstrating outstanding commitment to our core values of Hard Work, Integrity, and Pride. This includes perfect attendance, consistent improvement in attitude, and contributions to house events or community initiatives. I also recognise staff termly for exceptional pastoral care or support for extracurricular programmes. |
| Link to Value/Goal |
| Each award is explicitly linked to one of our three core values. Hard Work Hero celebrates effort and perseverance, Integrity in Action recognises honesty and kindness, and Pride in Our Community acknowledges students who represent the school positively beyond the classroom. |
| How We Celebrate |
| I use a mix of public and personal recognition. Students receive certificates in assembly and postcards home, written by the pastoral team. Tutors share successes during Monday registration to sustain momentum. Staff achievements are shared in the weekly bulletin and on a thank-you wall in the staffroom. |
| Visibility (Who Sees It) |
| The entire year group witnesses Friday assembly recognitions, creating collective pride. Parents see updates in the newsletter, and the Headteacher highlights Values Champions on social media. Staff recognition is often shared in person or at briefing to foster collegiality. |
| Impact/Feedback |
| Student surveys show that public recognition has increased motivation and belonging, especially for students who previously felt unnoticed. Staff tell me that personal thank-you notes are more meaningful than group mentions, which has led to greater investment in school initiatives. |
| Reflection Prompts |
| Celebration is now a consistent part of our year-group rhythm, but I need to ensure quieter achievers and support staff are equally recognised. I will widen the lens of celebration so every contribution to our culture is seen and valued. |