THE town council at Westhoughton has given its support to a new code of conduct which has been introduced at the local high school.

The council has agreed to give a grant of £350 to help fund Westhoughton High School's RESPECT scheme which rewards pupils for good behaviour, academic achievement, punctuality and attendance.

Part of the grant - £100 - will fund a logo competition and the remainder will help meet the costs of five end-of-year cash prizes of £100 for the top pupils in each year group.

The scheme was introduced last September and is already showing good results. Students are encouraged to complete work to the best of their ability, take pride in their school and uniform, respect staff, visitors and fellow pupils, be on time and generally behave responsibly.

There is also a reward system for 100pc attendance and punctuality.

Pupils seen following the RESPECT code are also given "quick notes" by staff which can be saved and exchanged for sweets or stationery.

Each member of staff awards credit raffle tickets for academic achievement and twice a term the winners are drawn from each year group and given prizes.

At the end of the year, students with the highest points in each year will be awarded a voucher for £100. The council grant follows a presentation to councillors last month by teacher John Eastwood.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who proposed the donation, said the council should do its best to support the project.

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