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Headteacher: Mr I T A Hawksby, BA PGCE  Finance Department: Mr Malcolm Carling  Admissions: Gillian Smellie - School Secretary and Registrar

A Word from the Head

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Twenty little boys and girls will be the first children to join the new nursery at the Chorister School this September. Full of smiles and laughter, they have wasted no time in exploring their new surroundings, from wet play to the book corner, and are already well settled into the Chorister School family.

Another first for the school and the Cathedral is the admission of girls as choristers in the Cathedral Choir. The first voice trials will be in October and again in November. This is a hugely exciting development which has generated interest from girls across the region who would like the chance to join the Chorister School and sing in the prestigious Durham Cathedral Choir.

Set against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral, the school is an oasis of calm in the middle of a World Heritage Site. Fully co-educational and steeped in history, the school combines the very best of the traditions of a truly independent prep school with the most modern teaching methods and practices. The school is rightly proud of its pupils, not only for their impressive academic achievements, but also for their kindness and consideration, their generosity of spirit and respect for others. Education of the whole child is a key tenet which runs throughout the school.

When the time finally comes to leave at the age of 13, children move on to a wide range of prestigious schools both locally and further afield. Over 70% of pupils this year achieved scholarships, exhibitions or places at competitive entry schools; all pupils gained entry to their first choice school. Detailed advice is offered on where to go next and trial days and visits can be arranged at suitable senior schools. Everything is done to ensure that every child moves on to the next stage of their education as seamlessly as possible.

For the busy family the Chorister School offers before and after school care, and an impressive range of after school clubs and activities. Full-time, weekly or flexible mid-week boarding is also available.

Scholarships are offered at entry to Years 3 and 6. Generous bursaries are also available for the boy and girl choristers who sing with the Cathedral Choir.

The Chorister School is a happy school, small enough for everyone to know everyone else and feel part of the family, yet large enough for everyone to have the space to develop in their own way. Why not visit and see for yourself at one of our Open Mornings or ring for an appointment at your convenience.

Alumni - Tony Blair (Prime Minister); Rowan Atkinson (actor/comedian); James Fenton (poet and journalist); Dyfri Williams (keeper of Greek and Roman antiques at the British Museum); Peter Scott (Vice-chancellor of Kingston University); Donald Limon (Clerk to the House of Commons).

School details

Age range: 3 - 13

Day pupils: 122 boys and 54 girls

Annual day fees: £6,804 - £9,180

Weekly boarding pupils: 2 boys and 2 girls

Annual weekly boarding fees: £14,256 - £15,840

Full boarding pupils: 22 boys and 3 girls

Annual full boarding fees: £8,310 - £15,840

This school offers flexi-boarding.

TOTAL PUPILS: 146 boys and 59 girls

Staff numbers: 21 full time and 8 part time

Method of entry: Please apply to school

Accreditations and affiliations: BSA, CSA, IAPS, NAHT

Religious affiliation: Church of England

School facilities
Academic Languages Sport Activities Music Miscellaneous
  • Classics
  • Design technology
  • Painting/Sculpture
  • English
  • English as a foreign or 2nd language
  • French
  • Latin
  • Spanish
  • Cricket
  • Fencing
  • Gymnastics
  • Hockey
  • Martial arts
  • Netball
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Ballet
  • Drama productions
  • Outdoor pursuits/Adventure trg
  • Public speaking/Debating
  • Band/Orchestra
  • Brass
  • Choir
  • Guitar
  • Keyboard
  • Organ
  • Percussion
  • Singing
  • Strings
  • Woodwind
  • After school club
  • Before school/Breakfast club
  • Particular diets
  • Rail/Airport services
  • Significant experience of gifted children
  • Significant experience of international students
  • Significant experience of services' children
Scholarships

The school offers: Clergy/Ministers, Academic, Choral, Siblings, Music, Financial need, Sport

Curriculum, exams and 6th form


Special needs

This school provides for individual pupils with these needs:
Hearing Impairment (HI)
Dyslexia or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)

School location

The location of the school shown below may not be exact – schools can correct the map pin to the exact location on the School online update page


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