Peppard Building Supplies is heading back to school to support an innovative student reward scheme.

The Reading-based merchant is backing a move at Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common to reward pupils’ achievements with specially created hoodies. The rewards scheme, open to all pupils, is based on achieving points for participation in school activities, showing initiative both in and out of school, and working hard.

Every six to eight weeks one child is nominated per house to receive a school hoodie, which will be paid for by Peppard Building Supplies.

Only a few of these garments are presented each year, so they are highly prized within the school. Owen Joyce of Chiltern Edge School who is running the scheme, said nominations were based on a wide variety of factors: “High points achievement; consistent effort in lessons; one-off impressive achievement, service to the house; improvement in attitude. These nominations can be made by any member of staff, usually form tutors and heads of house, with final decision on the winner made by the head of house.”

Neil Bryant, associate director of Peppard Building Supplies, said the company was approached by the school governors to help with funding.

“I was keen that any reward scheme should be open to all; that rewards should not be based solely on academic achievement and that our involvement should not be a one-off event,” said Mr Bryant.

“Peppard is a family-run, local business, and we are very keen to lend a hand in the community, so much so that we have given our commitment to this scheme for the next three years.”