Our recent review in The Good Schools Guide clearly shows that the hard work, support and dedication from our pupils, staff and parents is what makes our wonderful school so unique. Take a look at some of the highlights from the review below and read the full review here.
Head
Since 2021, Sally Harrod who is the overall head of Chorister School under the umbrella of the Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation. A very experienced leader she has great warmth and a strong drive to create a rigorous but accessible learning community. ‘We don’t hot house,’ she says, ‘but we do believe in strong planning and sensible assessment for an intake with a wide range of ability.
Pre-prep
Pre-prep is based entirely on the old Bow Durham site. It’s a beautiful campus, a safe little woodland oasis in the centre of Durham with excellent facilities. The centre is an arts and crafts house plus two lovely modern bungalow-style teaching blocks surrounded by trees and wildlife (rabbits and squirrels galore).
There's a forest school with an outdoor classroom, a newly refurbished soft play area, water play, a garden and playground, a sports field and cricket nets. In pre-prep learning is fun and stimulating.
Early years pupils are encouraged to learn through play and to build up independence and resilience. The core curriculum of maths, English and a good early emphasis on science with all the usual other subjects including IT and lots of outdoor and active learning.
Great nursery in a converted arts and crafts house, with calming ambient music playing and some very impressive phonics work.
Prep
Prep curriculum builds seamlessly on to pre-prep with a continuing focus on core subjects but with more specialist teachers. French carries on and pupils begin Latin in year 4. We were impressed with the pupils' enthusiasm for maths. ‘I like the maths prep, it’s hard it makes me think,’ said one with enthusiastic agreement from her peers.
Pupils love design technology, singing the praises of teachers and the fun, challenging projects such as designs for Ferris wheels. Clearly much work goes on to ensure that what the pupils learn at Choristers is joined up and gives them a very solid foundation for the next steps.
SEN
Notably strong SEN provision led by full-time SENCO plus four part-time learning support assistants.
Music
Great importance is placed on the school's musical tradition; all pupils are encouraged to play or sing regardless of ability and the school claims the largest school choir in the north of England. Alongside the prestigious cathedral choir, there's the Galilee choir which has toured Scotland and Holy Island. Musicians have competed successfully at the Ryton music festival and also performed in the Sage, Gateshead, Durham’s Gala Theatre and with international musicians including Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.
Extracurricular
Lots of clubs and activities keep pupils busy throughout the day and after school, all the usual sports and music clubs you would expect plus advanced chess, ballet, mindfulness movement, Lego and Hama beads. There’s also a 'Chimp Champions' group promoting confidence and providing tools to deal with anxiety.
Pupils
Pupils we met were buzzing with enthusiasm, excited to show off their unique school and to tell us about what they were learning. Time and again pupils we spoke to, described their school as ‘kind and caring’.
We heard all about the playground charter they had helped to create to ensure everyone is treated fairly and none bullied or left out.
