Welcome

At the heart of this, is a warm and inclusive pastoral structure where strong and supportive relationships between staff and pupils, and between pupils, is both expected and championed. Our long-standing house system creates a support network for pupils where both individual and team achievements are both encouraged and celebrated.

A message from Kieran McLaughlin,
^{Headmaster of Durham School and Principal of the Foundation.}

“It is a real privilege to lead such an exciting and inspiring school. 

“These are supposed to be the best days of our lives and it is incumbent on the school to ensure that this is true in practice. So, alongside a rigorous and demanding academic curriculum is a rich and diverse co-curricular programme.

“A sense of place, of belonging and of history seems to seep from the brickwork at 600-year-old Durham School. It gives our pupils an understanding of the importance of following the traditions and accomplishments of earlier generations; former pupils like Granville Sharpe, the 19th century anti-slavery campaigner, Noel Hodgson, the First World War poet who lost his life on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and Geoff Parling, current England second row forward and British Lion.

At the same time, it’s a school which looks forward to preparing all our pupils for an ever-changing world.

“You really need to see Durham School to understand what we are about. Meet the pupils, see them at work and savour the wonderful, inclusive, supportive ethos. Even after 600 years, the school is as committed as ever to providing the best educational experience it can.

“Come and experience it for yourself. As well as regular Open Days we host individual tours for potential pupils and their families, just get in touch and we will organise a visit.”

Kieran McLaughlin
Headmaster of Durham School and Principal of the Foundation

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