The Honours Programme recognises and rewards good character through service and participation.

Rewarding those who #Bleedgreen while demonstrating three key character traits: 

• Positive behaviour 
• Hard work 
• Willingness to serve their House and the School eg represent the School and House whenever asked 

How it works

Year 7 

To gain Entry Level Honours, students complete the Year 7 Challenge completing 12 tasks throughout the year including the ‘Speak Out’ Challenge, writing book reviews for the library, and completing a test on General Gordon. 

All students achieving at least ten from 12 challenges will be awarded their ‘G’ Honours badge. Those achieving all 12 will also receive a Certificate of Merit. 

• Form Tutors encourage students to complete the challenges 
• Heads of House sign off (and verify completion of) each item and ensure Assistant Head (Personal Development) is made aware of which students have completed their Honours at the end of each term.  

Year 8 - Year 11 

Only students passing all three rounds are awarded Honours. 

Progress is reviewed on a termly basis and reminders delivered in assembly and tutor time. Key Stage 4 Honours are awarded at Christmas in Year 11, all others at the final assembly in the year. 

Round One - Conduct check. Students who have been on a Behaviour Plan (BP) at any point during the year are ineligible for Honours. NB - truancy from P1-7 and fixtures = one BP 

Round Two - House nominations. Those given a House Effort Grade of 1 or 2. Students who help out in the House and have embraced all opportunities afforded to them in House. 

Round Three - Co-curricular check. Students who have not just served their House but played a full and reliable role in the co-curricular side of school, including regularly playing for a school team if selected. Co-curricular includes student participation in activities such as school productions or MUN, for example. Only in limited cases will honours be awarded to students who do not have a full and reliable record of co-curricular participation. 

Key Stage 4 Honours 

Key Stage 4 Honours are cumulative, running from the start of Year 10 until the end of Autumn Term in Year 11 (four terms in total).  

Students who achieved Honours each year in Key Stage 3 will also be eligible for Platinum Honours in Year 11.  

Platinum Honours will be awarded to the top 25 students in Year 11 based on a score comprising; Behaviour Points, House Effort grade, Co-Curricular participation, and Academic Effort. Students will receive the prestigious Platinum Honours tie at the Christmas Awards assembly. 

 Awards

Sixth Form 

The Honours window for students runs for five terms from the start of Year 12. The awarding of Sixth Form Senior Honours is based on their Voluntary Service and Participation record. 

All students are expected to complete 40 hours’ voluntary service (including at least ten hours' volunteering) per year as part of their commitment to wider school life and the Gordon’s ethos. 

Volunteering hours are closely monitored and recorded, and reported on school reports, and must be validated by a supervising member of staff.  

All recorded hours count towards a House competition that will be publicised on the various screens and in Houses throughout the year. 

The top ten Year 13 volunteers (hours served over two years*) receive a voucher of recognition and qualify to apply for the Gordon Foundation Next Steps Grant. Next steps must benefit others as well as the student. The top three submissions will present to senior staff, the winner will receive a £500 grant and the two runners-up £250 each.  

*Sixth Former students must complete their minimum ten hours’ volunteering each year to be eligible.