At Castleford Academy, we believe in recognising and celebrating the achievements of every pupil. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, in the sports hall, or in the wider community, we take pride in highlighting the talents, character, and accomplishments that make our pupils stand out.

By living our values of Care, Aspire, Succeed, pupils are encouraged to strive for excellence in every aspect of school life. Our rewards system goes beyond incentives; it fosters a culture of praise where effort is valued, success is shared, and every pupil knows their achievements matter.

Living Our Values

Our three core values are at the heart of everything we do:

• Care – supporting others, showing kindness, and being considerate
• Aspire – demonstrating resilience, determination, and ambition
• Succeed – producing excellent work, reaching personal goals, and striving for excellence

Stamp System

Our Stamp system celebrates everyday excellence. Staff can award up to five Stamps per lesson to pupils who go above and beyond, reflecting our core values. Additional stamps can be awarded by Year Leaders, Senior Leaders, and the Headteacher for exceptional achievements.

Always Pupils

‘Always Pupils’ consistently meet high expectations—they show up, participate, and do things the right way every day. Rewards include:

• 100% Attendance (weekly) – 2 Stamps
• Zero Behaviour Points – 2 Stamps
• 100% Punctuality – 1 Stamp

Stamp Milestones

At the end of each term, pupils achieving Stamp milestones are recognised with certificates:

• Bronze - 150
• Silver - 250
• Gold - 400
• Platinum - 500

Top stamp earners in each year group receive special recognition at end-of-year KS3 and KS4 celebration events.

Celebration Assemblies

Each term, Year Leaders host Celebration Assemblies to spotlight pupil achievements and award pupils for a whole variety of reasons.

Showcasing Excellence

We celebrate pupil achievements on our academy X account, sharing moments of academic, creative, sporting, and community success. Follow us @CastlefordAcad to see our pupils shine.

Headteacher’s Certificates

Staff can nominate pupils for a Headteacher’s Certificate for exceptional demonstrations of Care, Aspire, Succeed, such as:

• Top assessment scores
• Representing the Academy at a regional or national level
• Volunteering or supporting school events

Celebration Evenings: KS3 & KS4

Our annual Celebration Evenings formally recognise pupil achievements, with awards for:

• Outstanding Academic Achievement
• 100% Attendance
• Living Our Values consistently
• Top Stamp Earners

End-of-Year Reward Event

The annual reward event is open to pupils who:

• Achieve 95%+ attendance
• Earn at least 100 Stamps
• Show exemplary behaviour

This event celebrates those who consistently embody our values and commitment to school life.