How to Run a School Competition With Points

Why a school-wide competition works

A points competition gives a whole school a shared story for the term. It builds community, rewards positive behaviour across every classroom, and gives students something to rally behind. The key is making it visible and fair. Here's how to run one.

Step 1: Choose your teams

Decide how students compete: traditional houses, by class, or by year group. Houses that mix ages build mentorship; class-based competition builds tighter group identity. Let students feel ownership of their team.

Step 2: Decide what earns points

• Academic effort — improvement, completed work, mastery
• Behaviour and kindness — helping others, good conduct
• Attendance and punctuality
• Extracurriculars — sports, clubs, events

Include effort-based categories so every student can contribute, not just top achievers.

Step 3: Set up a live board

Create a free leaderboard on BoardQ with your houses or classes. Give teachers the ability to award points from their phones so updates happen throughout the day.

Step 4: Display it where everyone sees it

Put the standings on a screen in the main hall, reception, or lunchroom — and update it in assemblies. Visibility is what drives the friendly rivalry. A printed QR code lets students check standings on their devices too.

Step 5: Keep it fair and positive

• Reset each term for fresh competition
• Never deduct points publicly for misbehaviour
• Celebrate the winning team with a reward — an extra break, a non-uniform day, a trophy

Get started

Set up your school competition board for free and put it on the hall screen. Create one now →