Character education is an integral part of the school’s mission to be amongst the finest schools in the world for the calibre of young people we help develop: the progress they make, the lives they lead and the difference they make to the lives of others.

A Gordon's education has always gone beyond the set curriculum and we are rather proud of that.

The key to success in life is attitude, not knowledge or skills alone. Ultimately, it is one’s character and application that counts most. Good character lies at the heart of personal success and also whether young people develop into socially responsible adults who will make the right choices in life, uphold moral standards, serve their communities and pursue healthy lifestyles.

General Gordon’s life as a philanthropist, leader, scholar, adventurer and soldier is at the heart of our character qualities of courtesy, integrity, diligence, enthusiasm and resilience. These qualities enhance performance and act as a moral target and guide.

Emotional well-being provides schools with the greatest modern challenge. Sadly, it is increasingly common for young people to compare themselves, often negatively, with others and be overly influenced by social media. Our aim is to strengthen all aspects of character by articulating and openly cultivating character education as a means of improving students’ long-term wellbeing, success and sense of personal and social responsibility. 

Our character qualities are behaviours that we expect from students and staff, every day. Good character requires  a growth mindset: the ambition to want to be better still, the self-discipline to earn success through hard work and, most importantly, the humility to appreciate oneself in proper measure and work well with other people.

These behaviours directly support British values of individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance, rule of law and democracy.