The City of Character - Making Character Education Meaningful for Teenage Boys
An article by Lou Dennis, Interim Head of PE at Sherborne Boys.
Bringing Character Education to life, and making it relevant and even fun for teenage boys, can be challenging. At Sherborne Boys, we wanted to move beyond simply telling boys what good character looks like and instead give them the opportunity to experience it, practice it and take ownership of it in a way that feels relevant to them. Essentially, for character education to be effective, boys must feel connected to it.
That thinking led to Lou Dennis, Interim Head of PE, creating Sherborne’s City of Character. Inspired by the world of video gaming and launched through sport, it uses gamification to develop character in a way that is engaging, immersive and meaningful. Lou says, 'Research consistently shows that boys are more motivated when learning includes clear goals, regular feedback, a sense of purpose and a competitive edge. Character is tested constantly, particularly for young men growing up in a world that places relentless pressure on identity, status and validation. Rather than allowing these moments to pass unnoticed, Sherborne's City of Character makes positive character traits visible, valued and rewarded. It turns everyday situations - on the pitch and beyond - into meaningful learning moments in a way that genuinely captures boys’ attention.'
Read Lou's article in full below:
The City of Character - Making Character Education Meaningful for Teenage Boys
Throughout my work in coaching, education and learning development, one question has consistently guided my thinking: how do we make the things that matter most genuinely matter to young people? Schools speak confidently about values, but too often boys experience them as abstract ideals rather than lived realities. At Sherborne Boys, we wanted to move beyond simply telling boys what good character looks like and instead give them the opportunity to experience it, practice it and take ownership of it in a way that feels relevant to them.
That thinking led to the creation of Sherborne’s City of Character which we are currently trialling in the Sports Department. Inspired by the world of video gaming and launched through sport, it uses gamification to develop character in a way that is engaging, immersive and meaningful. Gamification has a proven ability to connect ideas with young people: it bridges the gap between engagement and education by combining challenge, feedback and progression with clear learning outcomes. Striking that balance has been central to the vision from the outset.
To bring our values to life, Sherborne is adapting an innovative app-based system that gamifies character development. Research consistently shows that boys are more motivated when learning includes clear goals, regular feedback, a sense of purpose and a competitive edge. Through the app, boys earn recognition for behaviours that reflect our values - whether that is showing respect to teammates and officials, demonstrating resilience after setbacks, acting with integrity under pressure, serving others, showing curiosity in learning, or practising empathy within teams and the wider community.
Character is tested constantly, particularly for young men growing up in a world that places relentless pressure on identity, status and validation. Rather than allowing these moments to pass unnoticed, the City of Character makes positive character traits visible, valued and rewarded. It turns everyday situations - on the pitch and beyond - into meaningful learning moments in a way that genuinely captures boys’ attention.
At the heart of the City of Character sit Sherborne’s six core values: respect, integrity, resilience, service, curiosity and empathy. These values were not chosen in isolation. They emerged through meaningful consultation with boys, staff and parents, ensuring they reflect the shared beliefs of the Sherborne community. For character education to be effective, boys must feel connected to it. These values represent what we believe will best prepare young people not only for success at school, but for life beyond it.
Crucially, the focus is on behaviours rather than outcomes. The City of Character rewards the daily habits that underpin long-term excellence. Progression through levels reflects consistency over time. Streaks reinforce commitment. Team-based points systems shift the emphasis away from individual reward towards collective responsibility, reinforcing the importance of contributing to something bigger than oneself.
Currently Sports staff are playing a central role in bringing the City of Character to life. Each member of the department has identified the value they feel most connected to and, within the gamified framework, takes on the role of the ‘boss’ character for that value. As boss characters, staff are not observers but active participants: visible, consistent and influential. They set standards, pose challenges, encourage reflection and support boys as they develop each character trait. This is not a tick-box exercise or an additional initiative to manage; it is an invitation for staff to step into the game alongside the boys.
While sport provides the launchpad, the City of Character has the potential to become a whole-school approach. Points systems could operate across teams, year groups and eventually houses, allowing boys to compete across sports, teams and houses. Character becomes something that is lived daily, not confined to assemblies or statements on changing room walls.
Ultimately, the ambition behind the City of Character is simple. We want boys to care deeply about character education. We want them to understand why it matters — not just at Sherborne Boys, but in the world beyond it. By immersing them in a concept that feels relevant, engaging and purposeful (with a competitive edge), we help them recognise that who they are becoming matters just as much as what they achieve.
By combining technology, gamification and a clear values framework, Sherborne is taking an innovative and courageous step forward. The City of Character is not about perfection; it is about progress — developing young people who are reflective, principled and equipped to contribute positively wherever life takes them next.
March 2026
By combining technology, gamification and a clear values framework, Sherborne Boys is taking an innovative and courageous step forward. The City of Character is not about perfection; it is about progress — developing young people who are reflective, principled and equipped to contribute positively wherever life takes them next.
