T A B L E O F C O N
As you already know, the turning points in your child’s schooling are not only important milestones but also key moments when your child enters the next exciting phase of education This transition from prep to senior marks an important stage that brings new opportunities for growth, greater independence, as well as discovery. It is our happy responsibility to guide your child on this journey. Moving from Chorister School to Durham School, your child will encounter fresh challenges both inside and outside the classroom, supported by dedicated teachers and House staff within a nurturing community. While the step-up may feel significant, our goal is to ensure that every pupil feels confident, cared for, and inspired to thrive.
We have a proud tradition of outstanding examination results achieved by excellent standards of teaching and an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Known and cared for as individuals, what truly distinguishes Durham School from others is our belief in our pupils and their potential. We recognise their differing talents and abilities, but will consistently ask them to aspire to the highest standards of which they are capable
So our first ambition is for all pupils to have the best academic education they can so that they can face the future with the greatest number of choices; this will help them to lead a successful life contributing in a meaningful way to society Whatever your child’s ambitions, our goal is to help them achieve their potential.
The principle that ‘happy children learn, and happy children thrive’ underpins all that we do, and our pastoral care creates the conditions for happiness This is about getting routines right, balancing work and play, and investing in relationships Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation is a place where every pupil is known and cared for, and individual care and knowledge is a hallmark of all we do to challenge your child to contribute, achieve, and thrive
Our co-curriculum is of the utmost importance to all we do; this is not just about a rich range of opportunities of value in themselves but also a vehicle for teaching the soft skills which are so otherwise hard to learn. Through these, we help pupils develop skills which turn into competence which, in turn, leads to the confident and capable young people you recognise as Old Dunelmians
‘The days that make us happy make us wise’: I am confident your child will flourish in the next, exciting phase of the Durham journey. We look forward to working in partnership with you through these formative years, helping your child to build on foundations, explore new interests, and prepare for the future
Dr Michael Alderson Headmaster
Getting to Know You
It is very important to us that your child makes the move into Senior School with as little disruption as possible. This seamless transition is one of the true benefits of an all through education for children aged 3-18 years.
September – June: Regular Assessment
Staff at Chorister School monitor your child’s progress carefully through Year 6. This information is passed through to the Senior School, and staff on both sites are in regular communication with each other Staff will also work with parents to ensure any issues or concerns are highlighted, so that the necessary support and guidance is in place in plenty of time.
Christmas Term: Senior School Taster Day
In the Christmas Term our Year 6 pupils will be invited to Senior School by the Head of Lower School. They will be able to view the Houses throughout the day.
January: Assessment Day
It is a requirement that all pupils joining Senior School take some form of assessment. The assessments will be held on Saturday 24 January 2026 but this is not a formal Entrance Examination. The results of the assessments are used to determine those to be awarded the Kings' Scholarship. The information from those assessments is used by Senior School staff, in addition to the other information from Chorister School staff, to make sure we have an accurate baseline of your child’s ability when they begin Year 7 and individual marks are not released. It is also used to help with setting in Mathematics and English.
June: Familiarisation Day
Your child will be invited to spend a whole day at Durham School where they will meet their new teachers and take part in specially designed classes. Parents will be invited to tea and coffee at the end of the day, this will include an opportunity to meet senior staff, including the House staff.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Music & Drama Scholarships
Art and DT Scholarships
Awarded on performance in assessment examination and interview
Awarded on performance in assessment
Awarded on performance in assessment
Awarded on performance in assessment
w/c Monday 26 January 2026 w/c Monday 26 January 2026
Terms and Conditions
As a pupil in Year 6, we assume your child will automatically transfer to the Senior School. If, for whatever reason, you do NOT wish your child to attend the Senior School, please refer to the notice requirements outlined in your signed copy of the Terms and Conditions.
House Allocation
In the Summer Term your child will be allocated a place in one of our six Houses. Each House has its own individual character and friendly rivalry between Houses is high.
Girls’ Houses
The Caffinites: Day pupils
Housemaster: Mr Andrew McMillan
Poole House: Boarding and Day pupils
Housemaster: Mr Joe Jenkinson
School House: Boarding and Day pupils
Housemaster: Mr Mark Younger
Pimlico House: Boarding and Day pupils
Housemistress: Miss Louise Hinde
Macleod House: Day pupils only
Housemistress: Miss Laura Myers
Lodge House: Day pupils only
Acting Housemistress: Mrs Naomi Fordyce
Induction Programme
Familiarisation Day
In order to assist the successful transition of your child to Durham School in September, he/she will be invited to a Familiarisation Day in June.
A selection of staff and school monitors will be on hand to meet your child at the beginning of the school day. All pupils will then be escorted to their lessons for the morning and also to one of the houses for morning break. The pupils will be taken to lunch by some of our current Year 7 pupils, followed by a school tour and finally a games session to finish the day. Parents are invited to return to the School at 4.30pm, when refreshments will be available in Big School.
Induction
