Motivation that works: how Sir Thomas Wharton Academy uses rewards to drive exceptional engagement with Tassomai
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy in Doncaster has achieved consistently high engagement with Tassomai — not just because of strong routines, but because they’ve built a culture of motivation that students genuinely buy into. Their rewards strategy blends psychology, consistency, and a bit of fun, creating an environment where students want to practise, succeed and take pride in their progress.
At STWA, Tassomai isn’t just homework. It’s something students want to do — and the school’s innovative rewards are a major reason why.
Starting with the basics: leaderboards that matter
Each week, the school publishes Tassomai leaderboards:
Printed and displayed around school
Shared on social media
Celebrated by form tutors and subject teachers
The visibility makes success public — but in a positive, motivating way. Students know their progress is being recognised, and it sparks friendly competition across year groups.
For some learners, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen themselves “at the top” of something in school.
Rachel Shaw, Sir Thomas Wharton Academy
“Some students aren’t in top sets and don’t always get the highest grades, but they get the most points on Tassomai. That’s huge for them.” — Rachel Shaw, English teacher and Tassomai lead.
Queue-jump passes: small reward, huge impact
The school gives queue-jump passes to the top two students in each subject every week. The reward is simple, inexpensive, and takes no staff time to administer — but the value to students is enormous.
Rachel notes that these passes are “particularly powerful” motivators, especially among the largest Year 11 cohort.
Tassomai Tuesdays: celebrating consistency
For students who achieve 100% of their weekly goal in every subject, the school runs:
Tassomai Tuesday
A small treat given out on Tuesday mornings — something just for those who’ve met all expectations across the week.
This consistency-based reward encourages students not just to blitz one subject, but to stay on top of all their learning and maintain healthy daily routines.
Driving lessons in the school car park
(Yes — really.)
One of the school’s most innovative reward systems is their Driving School Week:
Local driving instructors use the school car park
Students attend in pairs
Each student gets 30–50 minutes of real driving experience
Selection is based on attendance or sustained Tassomai investment
It is one of the most talked-about rewards each year — and an incredible incentive for Year 11 students thinking about life beyond school.
VIP prom table: The ultimate long-term reward
For three years in a row, the school has awarded one student a VIP table at prom based on their Tassomai performance.
It isn’t about being the highest achiever academically — it’s about sustained effort and consistency.
Friendship groups even rally around each other to help someone earn it:
“You hear students saying things like, ‘Leave her alone, she needs to get her Tassomai done so we all get the VIP table.’ It becomes a team effort.” — Rachel Shaw
This reward transforms effort into status — reinforcing that hard work pays off.
The Tassimals effect: stickers that took the school by storm
Perhaps the most surprising success story has been Tassomai’s in-app Tassimal digital stickers — which the school embraced wholeheartedly.
Rachel expected mild interest at best.
What happened was quite different:
“Cool, sporty boys” are collecting stickers
Students proudly display them on pencil cases
Missing a sticker causes genuine frustration (“Miss, I forgot the full moon — I didn’t get the werewolf!”)
Staff have even dressed up as Tassimals (including the hazel dormouse), with more costumes waiting to be used
Tassimals have become a shared language of motivation — a playful but powerful nudge that reinforces good habits.
“We thought it would be too childish for Year 10 and 11. We couldn’t have been more wrong.” — Rachel
The psychology behind their success: carrot > stick
Although the school uses light-touch sanctions (short lunchtime “drop-in” sessions to complete a daily goal), the entire approach is overwhelmingly positive:
Rewards are frequent
Success is visible
Students feel celebrated
Motivation becomes intrinsic over time
Students in detentions often cheer when they reach their daily goal — because the sense of completion is now part of the reward loop.
The system treats Tassomai not as a chore, but as a way to achieve success and recognition.
Why other schools can learn from STWA
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy’s approach works because:
1. Rewards are simple and sustainable
Queue-jump passes, public praise, and small weekly treats require minimal staff time.
2. Students know exactly what earns a reward
Clear weekly goals → predictable incentives.
3. The school celebrates effort, not just attainment
This helps students who rarely see themselves as “top performers”.
4. Rewards complement — not replace — good routines
Students still complete daily goals, tutors still monitor progress, and teachers still follow up.
5. Tassimals and other micro-rewards create delight
They make learning feel playful, even for older students.
The result: a motivated school culture
Through thoughtful, joyful, and consistent rewards, Sir Thomas Wharton Academy has built a culture where students feel proud of their effort, confident in their routines, and excited by their progress.
Their system shows that when schools create the right environment, Tassomai becomes more than a homework platform — it becomes a catalyst for motivation, independence, and achievement.
Read more about STWA: How whole-school culture and multi-subject strategy drove outstanding Tassomai engagement
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