U P D A T E
Dr Michael Alderson Principal
The Foundation at a Glance
Across classrooms, sport, music, performance and service, pupils have shown the MARK values in action.
2 schools
Chorister School and Durham School
4 shared values
Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility, and Kindness
Academic Excellence Pastoral Care
Co-Curricular Life Community & Stewardship
Within a community shaped by moral integrity and kindness, the Foundation aims to cultivate responsibility and ambition so that every Dunelmian can thrive and make a positive mark in the world
Academic Excellence
80+
UKMT entries
Intermediate Mathematical Challenge participation
Mocks
GCSE & A level
Targeted support and parent conversations
Year 6
50 Awards
Bronze, Silver, Gold certificates
UKMT Silver or Gold certificates, with several progressing to follow-on Olympiad rounds.
Year 12
Live research
Chemistry sessions with Durham University and the Royal Society
At Chorister School, leadership and service are embedded in the Year 6 MARK Award
The award gives pupils ownership of projects that reflect the Foundation’s values of Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility and Kindness
Through initiatives such as fundraising, collections and community projects, pupils take an active role in serving others
Chorister School
Strong communication, vocabulary and oracy built into daily learning
Inquiry-led projects developing curiosity, evaluation and critical thinking.
Growing STEM experiences, including the Centre for Life visit and the International 1% Challenge
Creative and historical workshops, from glass artist projects to Jarrow Hall and Year 6 World War II learning
Book of Excellence relaunched to celebrate achievement.
Durham Schoo
Elevate Education sessions on revision strategy and exam preparation
Reading Week themed around mystery, including a virtual author talk for Year 7.
The inaugural House Quiz and Scholars’ Dinner with Durham University speaker Professor Christian Liddy
Year 12 Chemistry research work in university laboratories
A wider culture of learning that extends beyond examinations alone
Chorister School Science Week
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
A culture designed to h rted and known
What matters most
100+
Chorister School pupils
Particpating in the walk to School initiative
10
New Durham School peer mentors
Sixth Form pupils trained, with a junior pilot also developing
Pupil Voice Active Habits
Leadership
‘Girls on Board’ sessions are helping Year 7 and 8 girls navigate friendship issues confidently
Chorister School
Senior and Junior Wellbeing Ambassador (WBA) collaborated with House Captains to deliver Children’s Mental Health Awareness talk
Week activities on the theme of ‘Belonging’ and shared their work in a whole-school assembly
WBAs also organised new Wellbeing Room resources
House Captains led House Music preparations, including theme and script creation, speaking during the event, and planning summer house competitions and rewards.
School Council reviewed School initiatives, giving feedback on ‘No Ball Wednesday’, snack options, and event planning for Fun Day and the KS2 Glow Disco
Durham School
Strong House-based pastoral support
Attendance closely monitored with early intervention
10 new Sixth Form Peer Mentors trained
Junior Peer Mentor programme launched
House Councils meeting every half term
School Council relaunch underway
New Food Council introduced
Girls on Board delivered to Years 7 and 8
Growing pupil leadership and voice
Clear focus on wellbeing, belonging and confidencebuilding
Co-curricular Life
70+ activities
beyond the classroom, from music and drama n
160 music lessons
running across the Durham and Chorister School day each week
individual instrumental lessons each week
60+ / 20+
Chitty Production cast & crew
pupils involved on stage and behind the scenes
Chorister School
House Music inspired by Queen
Forest School and outdoor learning
Book of Excellence celebration
Handel’s Messiah and Cathedral music
Ryton & District Music Festival
Dean’s Public Speaking Competition
Colour Run (with Durham Kenya)
Pirates versus Mermaids’ Years 3 & 4 Play
Durham School
LAMDA provision for around 30 pupils
Professional theatre experience at the Gala
Duke of Edinburgh preparation
World Challenge Slovenia 2026
Sport & Performance Path
130+
cricket fixtures
Looking forward to 130 cricket fixtures for boys’ and girls’ teams in the Summer term
ambi i f i l en
Chorister School
2
new racing boats
plus new blades funded by PODS, ODs, and other supporters
Pathways multi-sport
regional and national representation across rugby, hockey, netball, swimming and cricket Two new Sports BTECs for Sept ‘26
Netball
Rowing
Rugby
Outreach, Partnerships & Community
and collective support beyond the classroom
£100,000+
Our Partnership with Donors for bursary enrichment, music, drama and wider pupil opportunity this term
UNESCO Learning City
DCSF is supporting outdoor learning and helping shape academic and cultural programmes across the city
Academic Partnerships
Science collaboration with partner schools, the Ogden Trust, the Royal Society and Durham University
ODs & Friends
Sharing Facilities
Pitches, pool, AstroTurf and cricket provision to support local schools and clubs
Charitable Partnerships
Charitable partnerships help pupils engage in meaningful ways with local, national and international causes
The Foundation continues its longstanding relationship with the Zambezi Sunrise Trust
At Chorister School, pupils have supported charities including Durham Wildlife Trust, St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Great North Air Ambulance Service and the Red Sky Foundation.
Through these partnerships, pupils are encouraged to serve others with kindness, responsibility and moral integrity
A standout example this term was the pupil-led Holi Colour Run, which combined cultural celebration with charitable fundraising
The Old Dunelmian (OD) Society and The Friends of DCSF have supported the life of the Foundation for well over a century through practical and financial contributions.
The Old Dunelmian Society and The Friends of DCSF continue to play an important role in Foundation life, bringing together pupils, parents and Old Dunelmians These events help strengthen community ties and reinforce a shared sense of belonging
Highlights this year have included the Young Old Dunelmian Reception, Old Dunelmian Society London Dinner, Sixth Form Dinner, and the Year 10 and 11 Charity Ball
The Friends of DCSF have funded a wide range of pupil experiences and projects across both Chorister School and Durham School, including theatre visits and outdoor learning resources.
The Friends Business Club and the Old Dunelmian Society have actively supported careers engagement this term through a series of talks and the careers breakfast event in February
Old Dunelmians and parents continue to make a valuable contribution through volunteering to offer careers guidance, support with school events, such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and sports coaching
Estates & Financial Stewardship
As a charity, and in our responsibility to you, careful financial stewardship underpins the way we manage the Foundation’s resources.
What Sits Behind the Scenes
• Essential maintenance, repair and safety compliance keep buildings safe, operational and fit for purpose
• Chorister School has seen further support for outdoor learning and active travel infrastructure.
• Much of this work is unseen - but it underpins teaching, learning and the day-to-day pupil experience
Vallance Building
During the Easter Term, the Vallance building experienced a significant flood event, requiring it to be temporarily taken out of use while safety assessments and essential works were carried out
As part of the recovery process, we are taking the opportunity to review how spaces within the building can best support pupils, especially our Sixth Form pupils
This includes exploring improvements to study areas and social spaces, ensuring that the environment is well-suited to the needs of our pupils
Further updates will be shared with families as plans progress, and work is scheduled for completion in the Summer term
People First
The largest single investment remains in staff, teaching and specialist support
Historic Estate
Managing older buildings requires long-term planning and disciplined prioritisation
Careful Stewardship
The majority of the Foundation’s expenditure supports the people and services that have the greatest impact on pupils’ day-to-day experience:
60% – staff and teaching;
12% – catering and cleaning;
Remaining expenditure supports estate maintenance and wider operational provision
Catering & cleaning
Estates & utilities
Departmental budgets,
