Our MARK Values
Please respect the traffic flow and parking rules within The College, which includes several private properties. We ask that parents park considerately and do not park on The Cobbles outside the front of the School or leave vehicles in The College.
Access to The Bailey between 10.00am and 2.00am is subject to a £5 daily Road User Charge per vehicle.
DCSF offers a discounted Bailey Access permit for parents with children in FS1–Year 3, costing £250 per academic year. This permit allows weekday access during term time for drop-off and pick-up at the Cathedral site and covers up to two vehicles. Durham County Council terms and conditions apply.
To support sustainable travel, the School operates daily Walking Buses to and from the Cathedral Site, with collection from the White Gates at 3.45pm (Years 1&2), 4.30pm or 5.30pm Free parking is also available across the river near Durham School before 9.30am and after 3.00pm, with access permitted via a School-issued drop-off pass.
School transport is available for pupils in Year 3 and above on selected routes (chargeable). For more information, please email transport@dcsf.org.uk.
For late arrivals or early collection, please report to Main Reception. If accessing The Bailey after 10.00am, the Road User Charge will apply. In the case of illness collection, vehicles will be added to the emergency exemption list.
School Office Opening Hours: 8.00am–6.00pm.
If your child is unwell and unable to come to School, please telephone or email to report the absence by 8:30am.
It is extremely important that pupils who are feeling unwell with a potentially contagious illness are not brought into School without first seeking advice from a GP or the Medical Centre at Durham School Any pupil who has been ill with vomiting and/or diarrhoea must remain off School while symptomatic and for 48 hours after their last episode (this guidance is from Public Health England).
If it is necessary for you to make routine dental or other appointments for your child during School time, please inform the School in advance. Please do all you can to keep such absences to a minimum.
Children arriving on site after 8.40am should be accompanied by parents to Reception where they will be signed in and further direction given, depending on year group
For late arrivals or early collection, please report to Reception If accessing The Bailey after 10am, the Road User Charge will apply.
In case of illness collection, vehicles will be added to the emergency exemption list.
We ask that you complete the end of day arrangements for your child each day via the SOCS app. A schedule of extra-curricular clubs is issued at the beginning of each term, along with signing up information. After School Care operates at both sites, every afternoon during term time except for the last day of term.
EYFS to Year 2
A number of extra-curricular clubs are available each term which run from 3.20-4.10pm after which after School care is available until 6.00pm. Parents are asked to complete an clubs/activities preference form at the start of each term.
Years 3 to 6
If children are staying for extra-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 go to After School Care up to 6.00pm.
Parents are asked to complete a clubs/activities preference form at the start of each term.
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If a pupil is unwell during the School day, they will be taken to see the Housemother or a First Aider, who will contact you if they feel that you need to be informed.
If you decide to keep your child at home for reasons of illness, please contact Chorister@dcsf.org.uk.
Sickness and/or diarrhoea
It is School policy that a child should remain at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea
Medicines
If medication is prescribed by your doctor and needs to be administered during the School day (for example an antibiotic), you should always hand in the medication to the School offices, in person, when dropping your child off
A written, signed instruction must be handed in with the medicine indicating the dose and time to be given. Alternatively, a form may be downloaded from the School website. Your child must report to the School Reception at the appropriate time for administration of the medication.
Chorister School is an inclusive community and provides a wide range of support for children who may benefit from additional assistance. Our experienced SEND team oversees the provision of support plans and tailored interventions, offering specialist assistance across a broad spectrum of educational and learning needs.
In most cases, our SENDCo will contact you directly regarding your child’s provision However, if you have any questions about academic progress or support, you are welcome to arrange an appointment with our Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Campbell, at i.campbell@dcsf.org.uk.
Ms H Thompson, Deputy Head (Pastoral), is our Designated Safeguarding Lead If you have any concerns or questions, please contact her at h thompson@dcsf org uk
Further information can be found here regarding our Online Safety Policy.
If travelling on School transport or an independent walker (Year 6 only), pupils are permitted to bring a ‘named’ mobile phone to School. The phone must be switched off and handed in to the Reception desk each morning and then collected at the end of the School day.
Should your child need to contact you during the day, they will be allowed to use the School telephone.
If you need to get a message to your child about collection arrangements, this should be done via School Reception.