Furrowfield School This site is under construction

Furrowfield School is a day/residential school catering for the educational needs of boys aged from 11 - 16 years, who are considered to have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

The school is located in Felling and caters for up to 56 boys of secondary age. The residential accommodation is located at the secondary site where up to 14 beds are available for residential accommodation.

The philosophy of the school and its residential operation is firmly rooted in the behaviourist principles of motivation through positive reinforcement, together with a strong emphasis on personal accountability and responsibility for one's own behaviour. Good order is achieved in the school via a well established framework of general routines and structure in which pupils can clearly identify themselves and make the appropriate response to the prevailing circumstances, be it in the school day or of an evening. This structure affords both staff and pupils alike a consistency in approach, which encourages pupils to maximise their potential by positively channelling their energies. This common baseline for all then allows the development of each individual's personality and self-esteem. This is achieved through realistic goal-setting and high expectations on the part of the staff in terms of pupil behaviour and attitude to work, coupled with an emphasis on conformity and normalisation. We have found that this approach results in a reduction in disordered behaviour, with the pupils developing their inner controls, leading to the establishment of greater self-control, feelings of worth and self respect.

Positive reinforcement features throughout the school day and evening, culminating in the weekly Praise Meeting. This formal meeting is attended by both care and teaching staff, whereby staff reflect on the positive achievements of individuals and groups and report them to the Chair of the meeting in a whole school forum. The weekly meeting closes with the announcement of the Pupil of the Week. (Staff vote at the end of the week for their 'Pupil of the Week' with the votes being collected independently and then totalled.)The pupil with the most votes receives the 'Pupil of the Week' trophy from the Chair of the meeting. The weekly votes are recorded and lead to a 'Pupil of the Term' which is announced at the end of term Praise Meeting. The Praise Meeting is a significant reflection of the school's belief, that pupils progress through positive reinforcement and encouragement, be it in the classroom or the residential setting. In essence, progress through encouragement and personal accountability are central to the ethos of the school

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