Whitney Institute Middle School has tied academic performance to a student’s ability to represent the school in athletics.Former principal Freddie Evans started the initiative, No Pass No Play, late last school year. New principal Reeshemah Swan said the programme has been fine tuned this year to make sure learning support students are not penalised.“We wanted to give students an intrinsic incentive to focus on their studies,” she said. “I presented it to the parents first and they really got on board.“They said it was important the students could read and write as well as play football. That has been a big help, the parents’ support.“In the past Bermudians used to get scholarships for athletics to Old Dominion, Howard University because they were on point athletically and academically. Now, some of the students are good at athletics but do not have the academics to get these scholarships.“We wanted to start it early so that when they leave us at 14 and go to senior school they know it is about keeping your grades up, having good behaviour and athletics.“We wanted to show them accountability early on. If you work hard in school you can represent the school.“There were also situations where students were failing English class and then missing it for games. How can we let them skip a class they are failing?”Each student is assessed based on his or her academic learning programme. Those in the main stream must maintain a 60 percent average in every subject to represent the school on sporting teams.Learning Support and Focus on Success students must meet the targets set out by teachers in their Individual Educational Plans. Every six weeks reports are compiled on the students and their eligibility is based on those reports.“The coaches have been a big help too,” Ms Swan said. “They know the policy is iron clad and they take the list of their pool and check the grade book. If their first choices are not eligible they pick other players.“The students see that other players are getting a chance because they are eligible and it is an incentive.“That actually happened with our under 13 football team for the Bermuda Secondary Sports Federation football tournament this year. I think the coach’s first three choices were not eligible and other players were chosen. We still went on to win the tournament and the students saw that academics are important.”She added that the coaches have also helped motivate students and keep track of their academics.The policy also requires students to make up any class work they miss for a tournament or game; they are not allowed play in additional games until it is completed.“It is working really well,” Ms Swan said. “We have students waiting by teachers to find out if they have passed and can now play. It has really helped with the boys as we had more boys failing than girls. I would encourage other schools to use the system.”