The School day begins at 8.30am and children may arrive from 8.00am for supervised play. Registration closes at 8.40am. In wet weather, children go straight to their designated classrooms or year-group areas.

EYFS (FS1 and FS2) finishes at 3.20pm and children are collected from the Purple Secret Garden Gate.

Years 1 and 2 finish at 3.20pm and are collected from outside Number 8, where they are signed out with a member of staff.

Years 3 to 6 finish at 4.10pm and are collected from the Cobbles, where they are signed out with a member of staff.

Children attending After School Care or Supervised Prep may be collected from the designated locations from 3.30pm onwards for Years 1 and 2, and from 4.30pm onwards for Years 3 to 6.

Co-Curricular Clubs, Supervised Prep and After School Care

We ask that you complete your child’s end-of-day arrangements each day via the SOCS app. A schedule of co-curricular clubs is issued at the beginning of each term, along with sign-up information. After School Care operates at both sites every afternoon during term time, except on the final day of term.

EYFS to Year 2

A number of co-curricular clubs are available each term and run from 3.20pm to 4.10pm, after which After School Care is available until 6.00pm. Parents are asked to complete a clubs and activities preference form at the start of each term.

Years 3 to 6

If children are staying for co-curricular clubs or prep at the end of the School day, they should register with the member of staff on duty in the Dining Room before going to the relevant club or to the Library for Supervised Prep.

At 5.20pm, all activities finish and pupils can either be signed out from the Cobbles or attend After School Care until 6.00pm. Parents are asked to complete an activities preference form at the start of each term.

Forest School at Chorister School

At Chorister School, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Our Forest School programme gives pupils the opportunity to explore, discover and develop essential life skills through outdoor learning in our woodland environment.

Forest School is a specialist educational approach that encourages children to learn through hands-on experiences in nature. Through regular sessions in our woodland area, pupils develop confidence, independence and resilience, while gaining a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Children take part in a wide range of activities designed to stimulate curiosity and creativity. These include building shelters, learning rope and knot skills, identifying wildlife, exploring habitats, constructing woodland structures and discovering insects and other creatures in their natural environment.

These experiences help pupils develop important skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication and leadership. Working together outdoors allows children to build strong friendships while learning how to overcome challenges and support one another.

Forest School also plays an important role in supporting pupil wellbeing. Time spent outdoors in nature has been shown to improve concentration, reduce stress and encourage physical activity. The woodland environment provides space for children to explore, reflect and engage with the world around them.

At Chorister School, Forest School forms part of our commitment to providing a broad and balanced education that develops the whole child. Outdoor learning complements classroom teaching by bringing subjects such as Science, Geography and environmental awareness to life.

Our approach reflects the School’s MARK values of Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility and Kindness, encouraging pupils to care for the environment, collaborate with their peers and develop confidence in their own abilities.

Through Forest School, pupils not only gain practical skills but also develop a lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors.

Enrichment at Chorister School

At Chorister School, enrichment is not an optional extra. It is an essential part of the education we offer.

We believe children learn best when they are inspired, challenged and given opportunities to explore the world beyond the classroom. Our enrichment programme is designed to broaden horizons, nurture curiosity and help every pupil discover new interests, talents and passions.

From sport, music and drama to STEM, cultural celebrations, outdoor learning, community projects and pupil-led initiatives, enrichment at Chorister School helps children grow in confidence, independence and character.

A broad and balanced experience

Our enrichment programme is carefully planned across year groups and key stages to ensure every child benefits from a wide range of opportunities throughout their time at Chorister School.

Pupils take part in educational visits, workshops, performances, visiting speaker sessions, residential trips, clubs and immersive classroom experiences. Learning is brought vividly to life through activities such as wildlife days, creative writing workshops, STEM challenges, cultural celebrations and historical workshops.

We also make the most of our local community and wider networks, welcoming visitors from organisations such as St John’s Ambulance, Red Sky Foundation, Macmillan, Durham University and the Chelsea Pensioners. These experiences help pupils make meaningful connections between their learning and the wider world.

Opportunities for every child

Inclusivity is central to our approach. We want every child to feel able to take part, try something new and enjoy the wider life of the school.

Our programme includes a balance of free and paid activities, alongside enrichment built into the school day, helping to ensure opportunities are accessible to all pupils. Participation is monitored through our co-curricular tracking system, allowing us to understand engagement across year groups and support pupils who may benefit from encouragement.

This careful approach means enrichment is not limited to a small group of pupils. It is part of everyday life at Chorister School.

Clubs, activities and co-curricular life

Pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of interests through our clubs and activities programme.

Across the Autumn and Spring terms, hundreds of pupils take part in weekly enrichment opportunities across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Activities range from sport, music and performing arts to creative clubs, quieter pastoral spaces such as Lego Club, and opportunities that build confidence, friendship and teamwork.

Our co-curricular programme is reviewed regularly to ensure that pupils have access to a broad, engaging and age-appropriate range of activities.

Sport, music and performance

Sport plays a key role in enrichment at Chorister School. Our PE and Games programme gives pupils the opportunity to develop skills, confidence and teamwork, with every pupil in Years 3 to 6 taking part in fixtures each term in a sport of their choosing.

Music is also central to life at Chorister School. Pupils benefit from outstanding musical opportunities, including instrumental lessons, ensembles, choirs and performances throughout the year. As part of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, pupils are surrounded by a rich musical heritage and an environment where performance, creativity and confidence are encouraged.

Drama and performance opportunities also help children develop oracy, imagination and self-belief, whether through class performances, productions, assemblies or special events.

Character, community and the MARK values

Our enrichment programme is closely connected to our Foundation’s MARK values: Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility and Kindness.

Through community engagement, charity support and pupil-led initiatives, children learn that enrichment is not only about personal growth, but also about making a positive contribution to others.

Pupils support charities including Red Sky Foundation and St Cuthbert’s Hospice, take part in sustainability initiatives such as active travel projects, and learn from visitors who bring real-world experience into school. These opportunities help pupils develop empathy, social responsibility and a strong sense of service.

The Year 6 MARK Award is an important part of this journey, encouraging pupils to demonstrate leadership, responsibility and kindness through their actions.

Celebrating diversity and belonging

Enrichment also helps pupils understand and celebrate the experiences of others.

Through EDI Week, Show Racism the Red Card activities, Chinese New Year celebrations, Holi events and cultural showcases, pupils explore identity, respect and inclusion in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

These experiences help children develop empathy, challenge stereotypes and build a strong sense of belonging within our school community.

Pupil voice and leadership

We believe pupils should have a voice in shaping their school experience.

Through the School Council and other pupil-led initiatives, children are encouraged to share ideas, take responsibility and contribute to the life of the school. Activities such as pupil-planned events help pupils understand that their opinions matter and that they can make a positive difference.

Leadership opportunities are woven throughout school life, helping children develop confidence, independence and a sense of responsibility.