Students heading out for sledging in a snowy 1947.
#DurhamSchool #Throwback #ThrowbackThursday #Durham #DurhamHistory
Inspired by our 1938 Christmas Card we present this short animated festive card.
Merry Christmas from all at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation.
If you are feeling particularly festive why not take a look at the Handel Messiah Concert Video - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/handelmessiah
DCSF Exclusive The Alumni Messiah concert video featuring Alexander Armstrong
An ideal gift for Christmas 2025
Available now to stream and download https://link.dcsf.org.uk/HMvideo2025
Relive the power and beauty of Handel’s Messiah in this special DCSF production filmed live at Durham Cathedral .
Featuring four outstanding soloists, nine distinguished conductors, one superb orchestra, and more than 100 exceptional singers, including Durham Cathedral Choir.
All proceeds to the new means tested Post-Choristership Bursary Fund
On Dec 10th the boarders attended a screening of The Royal Ballet`s production of the Nutcracker at The Gala Theatre. For some, it was their first experience of a ballet, and everyone enjoyed this evocative and playful Christmas Classic.
Zac "All I have to say was that The Nutcracker was absolutely fantastic. Even though we all thoroughly enjoyed the performance, I for one have so much more respect for dancers and ballerinas, and orchestras, having seen how amazingly talented they are; for my first ballet, I was blown away. It was a wonderful experience and I hope there are many more like it in the future for future boarders!"
Congratulations to Cuthbert who became British Champion in the U42kg group! Well done also to Harry who performed brilliantly in the competition.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #BritishChampion #IndependentSchool
An evening that captures what tradition really means at Durham School.
Senior pupils and staff gathered across the Houses in black tie before walking together to Big School for our annual Senior School Supper, Christmas dinner, the School Song sung with gusto, and a room full of shared pride.
The night finished back in the Houses with games, laughter and awards recognising kindness, commitment and support for others. What stood out most was the ease of it all: pupils across year groups, staff who know them well, and Houses that feel like home.
An evening they’ll remember - not for the formality, but for the belonging.
Read more here - https://www.dcsf.org.uk/2025/12/19/festive-senior-school-supper-tradition-as-its-lived-at-durham-school/?preview_id=5823&preview_nonce=d8999aeab8&_thumbnail_id=5825&preview=true
Our Junior House Suppers for Years 7–9 brought a sense of togetherness with a little karaoke and a lot of Secret Santa energy.
Pupils and staff gathered in Big School to eat together, laugh together and enjoy the kind of shared moments that make school feel like home. From enthusiastic karaoke performances to the inevitable surprises of Secret Santa, the atmosphere was relaxed, and full of fun.
These occasions matter. They give younger pupils time and space to build friendships across year groups, to feel known by the staff around them, and to settle into House life with confidence and ease.
In the lead up to Christmas, boarders in Pimlico House have been enjoying the Advent Bus which tells us who will receive a gift each day from the suitcase.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Advent #Christmas #IndependentSchool
Our Year 13 Chemists visited the School of Pharmacy at Newcastle University to synthesise paracetamol.
They had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of acylation reactions and develop their practical skills. The students enjoyed working in the modern labs and also got to practice some TLC and IR Spectroscopy, to supplement the A-level specification. A huge thank you for Dr Ashton for hosting us! @newcastleuni
#DurhamSchool #NewcastleUniversity #IndependentSchool #ALevelChemistry #SixthForm
Reminder: Tomorrow is Christmas Jumper Day!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Christmas #ChristmasJumper #IndependentSchool
Year 13 A Level Biology pupils enjoyed a trip to the Life Centre. They amplified DNA using PCR technology and gel electrophoresis to determine their genotype and find out if they are PTC tasters or non-tasters. They then went ice skating which was great fun!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #ALevelBiology #LifeCentre #IndependentSchool
For more than a thousand years, Durham has been a place of learning.
Today, that legacy has global recognition.
From Chorister School, learning in the shadow of the Cathedral, to Durham School across the River Wear, we are proud to educate young people at the heart of a newly designated UNESCO Learning City.
#LearningCity #DurhamCathedral #EducationalHeritage #IndependentEducation #NorthEast
A group of our senior MacLeod girls visited the Tender care dog rescue centre to deliver donations they had collected for the House Christmas charity. It was lovely to see first hand how our donations would be put to good use and to meet some of the residents. Thank you to everyone who donated so generously!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Donation #DogRescue #IndependentSchool
Musical education at Durham School doesn`t just develop the ability to play an instrument. It builds key skills that pupils can use beyond the classroom such as creativity, discipline, and teamwork.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Music #MusicEducation #IndependentSchool
Year 7 have been writing Christmas Poems inspired by U.A. Fanthorpe`s tradition of writing poems in her Christmas Cards. Pupils looked at Reindeer Report and What the Donkey Saw and wrote their own poems from an unusual point of view!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #IndependentSchool #Christmas #Poetry
Well done to our girls for their brilliant achievements in recent fixtures. Keep up the great work and thank you for your efforts this term!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #DurhamSport #IndependentSchool #Hockey
This week, we invited our Year 11 pupils to a careers and futures talk, answering their questions about Sixth Form and beyond. Thank you to Mr Hope, Chris Elliott, and our Year 13s for sharing their valuable advice.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #SixthForm #Year11 #Careers
Year 7 pupil Oliver has enjoyed a brilliant season with his ponies, achieving an impressive collection of awards. Congratulations, Oliver!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #IndependentSchool #DurhamSport
Last week, a group of our pupils travelled to London to attend a special reception in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal.
Before the event, the pupils took the chance to experience some of the capital’s most famous landmarks - Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square included.
It was a memorable day full of conversation, confidence, opportunity and of course fun!
Professional photographs from the reception will follow once released, but in the meantime, here’s a small snapshot from a day they’ll never forget.
Our Sixth Form classrooms are filled with critical thinking and curiosity. Our pupils are led by specialist teaching staff who are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to helping every pupil succeed. It’s where inquisitive minds are nurtured and futures are shaped.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #IndependentSchool #SixthForm #ALevel
Thanks to the generosity of our pupils, families and staff, our food donation has been collected by Emma from @feedingfamiliesuk and will help fill Christmas boxes for local families 🎄💛
Join Our Team at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation
At DCSF, it’s our people who make us exceptional.
From passionate teachers to dedicated support staff, every member of our community helps shape unforgettable learning experiences.
📍 Current Opportunity
Resident Tutor – Chorister School
🗓 Start date: January 2026
📄 Fixed-Term to July 2026 (with potential extension)
⏰ Term-time, 20 hours per week (plus Chorister periods)
💷 Salary: Meets NMW + accommodation + meals
You’ll support our Choristers and boarders, helping with evening routines, weekend life, sports, activities, rehearsals and services, and play an active part in our warm, vibrant community.
Find out more about the role below (link in Bio)
https://www.dcsf.org.uk/about-dcsf/vacancies/
A poster for the Langley House Christmas Entertainments of 1989.
#Throwback #ThrowbackThursday #Durham #DurhamSchool #DurhamHistory
Our Sixth Form pupils recently completed our Mock MMI interview circuit, a challenging but invaluable experience ahead of real university interviews!
🔗 Read more on the website -https://www.dcsf.org.uk/2025/12/09/preparing-future-medics-durham-schools-mock-mmi-interview-circuit/
It’s been great to hear from Sixth Form pupil Ajay, who spent the summer with the England U19 Rugby team. Find out more about his experience and how we support our pupils in achieving their own unique goals.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Rugby #EnglandRugby #SportsExcellence
Something exciting has arrived…
The first of our new Wintech boats has joined the DSBC fleet — and our rowers couldn’t be more excited!
This investment supports the long-term growth of the club, refreshes our fleet, and ensures our athletes train and race with equipment that matches their ambition.
Full story here ⬇️ link in our Bio.
https://www.dcsf.org.uk/2025/12/08/durham-school-boat-club-celebrates-exciting-fleet-upgrade/
Staff Spotlight!
Mrs Warne, Director of Teaching and Learning (also Initial Teacher Training Coordinator, Head of EPQ and Teacher in the Classics Department).
Mrs Warne has been with us at DCSF for 8 years, but did you know that before working at Durham School she worked at Chorister School for a few years? Before her time at DCSF, she also taught in other small independent all-through schools up to GCSE and A Level. Also, Mrs Warne used to run an events company with her husband. They worked with famous names including Gary Lineker, The Lightning Seeds and East 17!
Mrs Warne says Durham School is very similar to the school she attended as a boarder. She thinks that the community that boarding fosters for everyone in the school is amazing, and she loves being able to get to know pupils whether she teaches them or not.
Mrs Warne is particularly proud of her work organising a national education conference in 2023 with some well-known speakers from the education world, and over 200 teachers attended from around the country. She describes it as an amazing day and was proud to put Durham School on the map.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #StaffSpotlight #Teaching #IndependentSchool
On Friday 19th December, our pupils will attend the Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas Service at Durham Cathedral. We invite all parents to join us for a lovely end to the term.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #IndependentSchool #DurhamCathedral #Christmas
Well done to our pupils working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards for completing a wintry weekend of training.
#DurhamSchool #DofE #DukeofEdinburgh #IndependentSchool #Hiking
Our pupils take part in regular science events and hands-on experiences that bring learning to life.
This event celebrated girls in STEM, giving them the chance to explore a carousel of exciting activities, including controlling the incredible Boston Dynamics robot dogs, kindly brought in by Sunderland University.
#DurhamSchool #IndependentSchool #STEM #GirlsInSTEM #Robotics
Year 7 enjoyed a trip to a Synagogue as part of their Religious Studies course. Thank you to Newcastle Reform Synagogue for welcoming us.
#DurhamSchool #IndependentSchool #ReligiousStudies #Year7
We`re pleased to be taking part in this year`s Future Business Magnates competition organised by Durham County Council for schools.
On Thursday, our team of Year 8 pupils battled through the snow to attend a workshop day at Beamish Museum. This focused on setting the scene for the competition and supporting teams in beginning to consider the process they will go through to come up with their own product.
The pupils learnt about how successful products often solve a problem in the market, and had the opportunity to explore both the role of innovation in extending a product`s life cycle, and what products were the biggest sellers at Beamish Museum and why. The team returned to school enthused and full of ideas!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #BeamishMuseum #IndependentSchool #Competition
Studying A Level Psychology can allow you to see the world through a new pair of eyes. You’ll develop communication skills, critical thinking and empathy all in one subject.
Contact our Admissions Team to study with us:
admissions@dcsf.org.uk
0191 731 9270
#DurhamSchool #Durham #SixthForm #ALevel #ALevelPsychology #Psychology
These photographs, which include pupils skating on the River Wear in 1928, were found behind the skirting boards.
#DurhamSchool #Throwback #ThrowbackThursday #Durham #DurhamHistory
Our GCSE and A Level Drama pupils visit the Newcastle Theatre Royal to see the powerful and moving production of War Horse.
#DurhamSchool #NewcastleTheatreRoyal #WarHorse #GCSEDrama #ALevelDrama
Our sports programmes build character as well as skills. On the rugby pitch and beyond, pupils develop confidence and the courage to fail, learn, and try again. Through every match and training session, they shape who they become, both on and off the field.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #Rugby #DurhamRugby #IndependentSchool
Year 8 girls in MacLeod enjoyed a fantastic evening of making pizza!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #IndependentSchool #Year8 #Social
Pupils recently received postcards from Durham School Dubai! This was a fantastic opportunity to make friends across the globe and learn about different backgrounds and cultures.
Thank you Durham School Dubai! @durhamdubai
#DurhamSchool #Durham #International #IndependentSchool #Friendship
Well done to Year 8 for their brilliant Fauvism oil pastel pieces!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #DurhamArt #IndependentSchool #Art
Well done to our girls` sports teams for their excellent efforts in recent matches! Keep up the great work.
#DurhamSchool #Durham #GirlsInSport #Hockey #Netball
Girls in Pimlico House have been getting into the Christmas spirit with some festive crafting sessions!
#DurhamSchool #ChristmasCrafts #Christmas #IndependentSchool #Durham
Congratulations to Matthew and Bel who have been selected for the Scottish Rowing Performance Academy as part of the performance pathway for Scotland!
#DurhamSchool #Durham #DurhamRowing #Rowing #IndependentSchool
