We are excited to announce our summer telephone campaign, "In this Place," running from 5th to 19th August 2024. This crucial initiative aims to support young people across the Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation. 

Inspired by the hymn commissioned for Durham School's 600th anniversary by Composer Will Todd OD, OC, the campaign reflects our commitment to nurturing and transforming young lives: 

"In this place, I have been made new; 

I have been gifted jewels beyond price. 

In this place, greater dreams are given. 

I am made everlasting." 

At this pivotal time, with the impending plans to put VAT on school fees, we invite ODs, parents, and friends to support the future of our schools and the transformational impact we have on young lives. The added financial pressure on parents and the school at this time underscores the need for your contributions, which have been crucial to our six centuries of success. 

Our Campaign Focus 

The campaign will focus on three key areas: 

Means-tested Bursaries 

Bursaries enable young people to access life-changing education at Durham School and the Chorister School. Currently, 1 in 7 pupils receive some form of means-tested bursarial support. This support will become even more critical with the proposed VAT on fees, ensuring that we can continue to offer educational opportunities to talented pupils regardless of their financial background. 

Durham School Boat Club Five-Year Plan 

With a history dating back to the 1800s, the Boat Club now boasts over 100 members. Our five-year plan aims to improve boats and facilities, ensuring that we continue to support the next generation of rowers and maintain our tradition of excellence in rowing. 

Playground Pavilion 

The new Playground Pavilion will become the future home of sport at the Foundation, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for rugby and cricket. This development will provide our pupils with the best possible environment to excel in sports and physical activities. 

Your Support Matters 

We hope you will consider supporting one or more of these projects. Each gift opens doors to greater dreams and possibilities for our pupils. If you wish to support another area of school life, we would be delighted to discuss this with you. 

Reflecting on past achievements, we are reminded of the tangible impact of your donations. The state-of-the-art art and design classrooms, the refurbished library, and the successful bursaries are just a few examples of how your generosity has transformed our school. 

With your continued support, we are confident that we can achieve even greater things for our current and future students. Together, we can ensure our pupils are gifted jewels beyond price, dream bigger, and become made "new in this place." 

When you receive a call from one of our pupil callers, we hope you will take a moment to listen to their stories and consider making a donation. These conversations not only raise funds but also strengthen the bonds within our Foundation family. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in ensuring we can provide the best possible environment for our pupils and maintain the diversity of our student body. 

Thank You 

Thank you in advance for your time and for considering our request. Together, we can continue to build on the strong foundations of DCSF and create opportunities that will benefit generations to come. If you would like to read more about how you can get involved or make a gift online, please visit Inthisplace.dcsf.org.uk.