Welcome to
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation

Both Durham School and Chorister School can claim roots back to the Cathedral Schools of the early medieval period. King John Balliol of Scotland and Michael Scot, the famous medieval philosopher and alleged wizard, are amongst our famous medieval alumni.

In 1414, Bishop Thomas Langley formalised the Cathedral’s schools into a school for song and a school for grammar, and in doing so created the roots of the modern DCSF.

In 1541, Henry VIII gave the School its Royal Charter, re-founding the school after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. He introduced the ‘King’s Scholars’. Our top academic pupils are still known as King’s Scholars.

Scottish invaders during the Bishops’ Wars of 1640 saw the school building destroyed, and so lessons had to be taught out of the teacher’s own houses. The English Civil War saw enough political turmoil that no new buildings could be built for twenty years.

In 1660, Durham School was moved to a new purpose-built building on Palace Green, opposite the Cathedral. The School was necessarily a small school, though the eighteenth century saw some illustrious pupils, including leading abolitionist Granville Sharp, and poet and theologian Christopher Smart, author of Jubilate Agno.

Pupils have been rowing on the River Wear for generations, and it is suggested that scholars took part in the Waterloo Regatta of 1815. The School entered its first boat – the Argo - in the Durham Regatta in 1838. Today the Boat Club still thrives as a home for both novice and internationally experienced rowers alike.

In 1844, Durham School moved to its present location across the river from the Cathedral. This paved the way for an expansion of pupil numbers, boarding and sports. Durham School Cricket Club (est. 1847) and Durham School Football Club (est. 1850) stem from this time.

To this day, each pupil is part of a House, each with its own traditions and history. Bungites, or School House as it is more formally known, got its name from the tall tales told by former Housemaster and Headmaster Henry Holden by the fireside in the House common room. In one story he described how he save the life of a boy using a cork bung. From this, he became known as “Bung” and pupils in his house “Bungites”. This naming pattern stuck with those in the House of Rev Caffin, becoming The Caffinites. Other Houses are named after other famous teachers, including Poole, MacLeod and most recently Lodge. Pimlico House takes its name from its locality.

In 1885, Bow School was started by William Bramwell on the Bailey opposite St Mary-le-Bow church. When the school relocated to its current site in 1888, it became the first purpose-built preparatory school in County Durham. Independent from Durham School until gifted to Durham by Headmaster Charlie Adamson in the 1970s, the site eventually closed in 2025, following Bow’s merger with Chorister School.

In 1902, Chorister School took on fee-paying boarders for the first time. This reversed the medieval practice of apprentice choristers who were educated in exchange for their efforts singing in the choir. It was not until 1948 that more than 24 boys were educated at the school.

In 1926, Durham School built its War Memorial Chapel, which now stands above the school and is a central hub for the school community. The 98 steps up to Chapel represent the 98 ODs known to have died in WWI at the time of its construction. Further research has shown that over 125 ODs gave their lives in the service of their country in WWI and a further 90 in subsequent conflicts. All of whom are commemorated in the chapel.

In 1948, the Chorister School was expanded to include non-Choristers, then consisting of four day-boys and eight boarders for a total of 36. This number would expand to reach the milestone of one hundred pupils in 1955.

In 1979, Basil McNay OD donated a fold of Highland Cattle to the School. The cattle were part of School life for over two decades, with each House taking responsibility for one or more of the gentle beasts. They won prizes at the Highland Show and the Great Yorkshire Show, amongst others. In 2000, it was decided that the cows posed too great a risk of the spread of Foot and Mouth disease. Their descendants are alive and well off-site in County Durham.

The 1970s and 1980s were periods of growth for the Foundation, with new facilities, including the Luce Theatre, being developed. The creation of a School Theatre reflected the ever-increasing emphasis on performing arts at the Foundation, which has fostered such talents as Rowan Atkinson, Alexander Armstrong, Michael Gough, Will Todd, Chad Stuart, Rod Clements & Olly Quinn.

In 1985/86, the School enrolled its first female pupils, initially only in the Sixth Form, leading to the creation of Pimlico House. Over the next 20 years, the School transitioned to a fully co-educational institution for ages 3–18. MacLeod House opened in 2005 as a second girls’ house, followed by Lodge House in 2024 as the third.

In 1996, Durham School and Bow School became independent of the Dean and Chapter. In 2021, Chorister School joined this Foundation, which was renamed Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, reunifying over 600 years of education tradition in the centre of Durham.

In 2021, Durham School opened its third international school in Nairobi, Kenya, spreading its motto ‘Confidence for life, Respect for All’ to a new generation of pupils outside Durham.

In 2025, Durham School celebrated 175 years of the Durham School Football Club with fixtures for both the School 1st XV and Old Dunelmian sides watched by over 600 spectators on the Playground.