Commendations Explained
Pupils at Haberdashers’ Adams are commended by teachers for excellent academic work, improvement or progress in academic work, or outstanding contribution to the school or local community.
Pupils who recieve 20 commendations will receive a Taylor Commendation from their Head of House. Pupils who have amassed 40 commendations receive a Headteacher’s Commendation, usually awarded in person by the Headteacher. Peterson Commendations are awarded for academic achievement and are presented in the Full School Assembly at the end of each term.
Alec Peterson OBE (1908-1988)
Early on in his career, Alec Peterson was Headmaster of Adams Grammar School from 1946-1952. However, his legacy extends far beyond Adams. He went on to become one of the most influential education reformers of the 20th Century and helped to reshape global education.
Alec worked on national and international education policy as the Director of the Department of Educational Studies at the University of Oxford. He was influential in shaping teacher training and educational thinking, representing a shift toward intellectual rigour and broader thinking. He was strongly influenced by post-war concerns about nationalism and conflict. He wanted education to develop international mindedness and cultural understanding to help prevent future global conflicts and war.
A founding father of the International Baccalaureate, created in 1968, Alec served as the organisation’s first Director-General until 1977. The 2-year IB Diploma, for pupils aged 16-18, is taught in over 150 countries. It is a rigorous and well-rounded qualification which promotes the development of critical thinking and analytical skills across a broad curriculum of six subjects, an Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge plus Community Action and Service (CAS).
Peterson Awards
A Peterson Award is based on the Attainment grades and/or Attitude to Learning (AtL) across all subjects. Attainment rewards consistent high performance across the curriculum. AtL recognises excellent learning habits including effort and engagement in lessons, organisation and readiness to learn, completion and quality of homework, resilience and response to feedback.
Congratulations to all those recognised with a Peterson Award.
