Founded by Thomas Langley, Bishop of Durham, in 1414, this school has educated generations in one of England's most historic cities. A purposeful merger in 2021 between Durham School and Chorister School created a single foundation spanning ages 3 to 18, now led by Dr. Michael Alderson, a returning housemaster who leads with both tradition and vision. The ISI inspection in March 2023 awarded an Excellent rating across all areas, validating the academic rigour and pastoral care woven through six centuries of educational practice. With 740 pupils distributed across three divisions, the Foundation stands in the top 2% of schools in England for secondary performance, ranking in the top 9% of schools in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking). The 45-acre campus overlooks Durham Cathedral, creating a setting where Anglican heritage, musical excellence, and intellectual ambition form the daily fabric of school life.
Walking the campus, the layers of history are visible everywhere. The Victorian main buildings sit beside the school chapel, designed in the 1920s with a three-manual Harrison and Harrison organ that still forms the acoustic heart of music-making here. Punts drift on the River Wear. Boys' names carved into wooden desks reach back decades. Yet the atmosphere is neither frozen in time nor overly reverential. The school feels fundamentally purposeful: pupils move with quiet intention between lessons, conversations between staff and students are genuine, and the tone is one of intellectual curiosity without arrogance.
The merger with Chorister School in 2021 created something architecturally and culturally interesting. The Chorister School occupies the cathedral close, in The College, a medieval setting that appears in UNESCO World Heritage designation. Durham School itself sits on Quarryheads Lane, a short walk away. Younger pupils experience the intimacy of the cathedral site; older students command a larger, more defined senior campus. This two-campus model works partly because the schools maintain distinct identities while sharing leadership, values, and an exceptional music programme unified by the Cathedral itself.
Dr. Alderson's appointment in 2025 brought back someone who had already shaped the school as a housemaster and senior leader. He holds a doctorate from Durham University in Reformation‑era Church History, which is presented as a marker of intellectual seriousness. His framing of the school as "warm, fun, with a sense of values and a real heart" reflects an awareness that academic excellence without care becomes brittle. The MARK values, Morality, Ambition, Responsibility, and Kindness, appear throughout the school, naming the operating principles rather than manufacturing them.
GCSE results place the school firmly in the top tier in England. At the 2024 examinations, 50% of grades achieved the top grades of 9-8, with 35% of all entries at grades 9-7. The school ranks 396th for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the top 9% in England (FindMySchool data), and holds a commanding local position as 2nd-ranked secondary in County Durham. This consistency reflects structured teaching, high expectations, and genuine investment in each student's trajectory through Year 11.
The Attainment 8 average (measuring performance across a core academic basket) sits solidly above England averages, with Progress 8 scores consistently positive. Students enter the school from diverse primary backgrounds, many from selective or independent preps, others from state primaries across the county, yet the value-added progress made across Key Stage 4 suggests teaching responds effectively to mixed starting points.
Sixth form results demonstrate sustained excellence. In 2024, 61% of A-level grades achieved A*-B, with 12% at the elite A* grade. The school ranks 559th for A-level outcomes, placing it in the top 21% in England (FindMySchool data) and 4th in County Durham. This tier of performance, above England average (top 25%) rather than elite, reflects a school where academic excellence is genuine but where entry requirements and pastoral focus on breadth prevent grade inflation or hyper-specialisation.
Mathematics, sciences, and languages are particularly strong, supported by specialist teaching and extended learning opportunities. The Sixth Form lectures bring visiting academics, authors, and public figures to discuss topics ranging from ethics to artificial intelligence. Societies like the Tristram Society (for potential scientists) and the Creighton Society (academic seminar) embed advanced conversation into student culture.
In Quarryheads, Durham, university progression in 2024 was 55% for sixth form leavers at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation. Beyond that headline, the destinations are selective: students regularly secure places at Russell Group institutions. The Foundation's Oxbridge performance, 1 student each to Oxford and Cambridge from 9 applications in the measurement period, reflects realistic rather than inflated expectations, appropriate for a school building breadth rather than coaching for Oxbridge exclusively.
Popular university destinations include Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Exeter, suggesting strong progression into research-led institutions. The school's top 5% placement in value-added measures at A-level indicates students make progress appropriate to their abilities, not that every student finishes at Oxbridge or Russell Group.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
60.82%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
49.74%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching follows a traditional academic model: clear curriculum structures, specialist subject teaching from Year 7, rigorous assessment, and high expectations for independent learning. Within this, the school has invested significantly in learning support, recognising that academic ambition sits alongside individual need.
Curriculum breadth in Years 7-9 is preserved: Latin and Greek are available; sciences are taught separately; geography, history, and religious studies coexist as distinct disciplines rather than being folded into broader programmes. This approach appeals to students who arrive knowing their passions and those who need space to discover them.
The Sixth Form curriculum offers a genuine range: 30 A-level subjects include Classical Greek, Russian, and History of Art alongside sciences and mathematics. This breadth means fewer classes become "too small to run"; instead, the school appears to have negotiated a sustainable balance between specialism and coverage.
Teaching quality, according to the 2023 ISI inspection, was consistently strong. Inspectors noted teachers' subject expertise and their ability to pitch learning appropriately. The ratio of staff to students (roughly 1:11) allows for relationships of genuine substance. Pastoral oversight at sixth form level involves dedicated tutors and heads of house who know students thoroughly.
Boarding at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation sits alongside day provision rather than dominating it. The Foundation now offers boarding from Year 4 upwards, with flexible options: full boarding, weekly boarding (Monday-Friday), and occasional boarding (one or two nights per week). Approximately 75 boarders live on campus at any time.
Cathedral Choristers board for free on two nights per week, recognising the demands of daily Cathedral rehearsals and services. This integration of day and boarding students, common in UK boarding schools, creates a peer group of mixed experience and background. Weekend life includes Saturday morning lessons, Saturday afternoon fixtures, and Sunday chapel.
Houses are single-gender for Years 7-11 (reflecting the school's traditional structure), with a housemistress or housemaster living on-site. The pastoral system is transparent: boarding staff complete daily check-ins, and any welfare concern moves quickly through established protocols. The 2023 ISI inspection confirmed full compliance with boarding standards and safeguarding requirements.
Recent investments in boarding facilities have made the option more attractive to families across the region and internationally. The school has established overseas boarder arrangements, welcoming students from across Europe and beyond. This international dimension adds cultural breadth to the boarding community.
The extracurricular programme at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation is genuinely exceptional, particularly in music and the performing arts, where the Cathedral connection creates opportunities few other schools can replicate.
Music is not merely present; it is foundational. The Cathedral Choir draws its treble line entirely from the school: approximately 18 boys and 21 girls per voice part, singing weekday services and regular weekend performances at the Cathedral. These are not token choristers; they rehearse daily and perform complex liturgical and concert repertoire. The experience shapes how the entire school community relates to music, not as enrichment but as essential culture.
Beyond the choristers, five additional choirs serve different musical levels and interests. The Chapel Choir remains the largest ensemble. Music scholars at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry points receive free tuition on two instruments and are expected to take leadership roles in concerts and productions.
Instrumental teaching is systematic. Nearly all pupils from Year 3 upwards learn an instrument through the music curriculum; many progress to ABRSM grades and individual lessons. Teaching rooms, practice spaces, and ensemble rehearsal areas occupy dedicated facilities. The school maintains nine teaching and practice rooms, allowing structured access and preventing the bottlenecks that constrain music-making in smaller schools.
Ensembles span traditional and modern idioms: a full orchestra, string groups, brass groups, saxophone ensemble, guitar groups, and a musical theatre group. Annual concerts occur in Big School (the main performance hall), the Chapel, and Durham Cathedral itself, providing genuine stakes and professional audience experience. The January musical production becomes an annual highlight, typically a major work involving 50+ students and drawing four-figure audiences across multiple nights.
Drama thrives here partly because of the overlap with music. The Musical Theatre group feeds directly into mainstage productions, ensuring strong vocal and choreographic elements. Regular drama club rehearsals and LAMDA lessons (external exam-leading drama coaching) run throughout the year.
Year group dramatics, where each cohort produces its own show, appear embedded in the culture. The sixth form, in particular, directs and performs in sophisticated pieces, often contemporary work that challenges audiences rather than merely entertaining them.
Home to the fifth-oldest rowing club in the world, Durham School carries genuine rowing heritage. The boathouse sits on the River Wear, directly accessible from the campus. Rowing attracts serious competitive talent: the school fields crews at national regattas and has produced oarsmen who progressed to universities and beyond.
Rugby remains the dominant contact sport, particularly for boys, reflecting historical tradition. However, the philosophy extends beyond rugby excellence: hockey, netball, and cricket are strongly supported. Athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, swimming, and tennis all have active participant bases.
A "sports for all" ethos runs alongside elite pathways. Games lessons focus on five core sports (rugby, rowing, cricket, hockey, netball), but all students are expected to maintain fitness and participate. Friday fixtures occur regularly, freeing afternoon time for other activities. The facilities support this breadth: an indoor cricket nets facility and astroturf pitch allow year-round training and are hired to local community teams, embedding the school within Durham's sporting landscape.
The Tristram Society targets students considering science at university, offering targeted sessions on research and specialist fields. The Creighton Society runs academic seminars where sixth-formers read and discuss scholarly papers in their disciplines, building university-readiness through substantive intellectual engagement.
The Model United Nations (MUN) society attracts active participation, with students roleplay delegates and debate international issues. Chess Club, Design Club, History Club, ICT Club, and Sign Language Club extend breadth further.
Outdoor education emerges as a notable thread: the school offers Duke of Edinburgh Awards (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), expedition trips, and climbing opportunities. For boarders, weekend activities often include outdoor pursuits, capitalising on the rural Wear Valley setting.
As an independent school, fees are payable. The 2025-26 structure is:
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
The pastoral system rests on three pillars: class tutors (form groups in Years 7-11), house staff, and specialist support services.
Class tutors meet their tutor group daily, providing the first line of pastoral oversight. They track academic progress, observe behaviour and emotional tone, and escalate concerns. In Years 10-11, subject teachers also provide pastoral weight, given the intensified GCSE period.
House staff, housemistresses and housemaster, know every student in their house thoroughly. They manage weekend activities for boarders, liaise with parents, and provide mentoring on everything from subject choice to relationships. House staff live on campus, ensuring consistent presence.
The school employs a dedicated counsellor (available for all pupils, particularly sixth formers). A SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) manages support for pupils with identified needs, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans (though the school is not specialised SEN provision). Learning support staff provide in-class and withdrawal support for pupils requiring additional academic scaffolding.
The ISI inspection confirmed that pupils feel known and cared for. The language used, "pupils feel safe," "pastoral care is excellent", reflected genuine connections rather than systems alone. Sixth formers particularly report feeling trusted to manage independent study and personal development.
Behaviour is calm and respectful. The school operates clear, consistent expectations without relying on overt discipline machinery. Sanctions exist but rarely dominate the landscape; instead, the culture emphasises responsibility and self-regulation.
Entry at Reception and beyond is non-selective. Places are allocated via local authority coordinated admissions at age four, then open entry through Year 6. However, Cathedral Choristers are selected by audition throughout the year; voice trials are held continuously, and successful candidates receive a bursary covering up to two-thirds of fees, with means-tested top-up support available.
Entry at Year 7 (age 11) and Year 9 (age 13) requires entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The 2023 revision of the entrance test aimed to reduce tutoring advantage, though families report continued preparation is nearly universal at this competitive level.
King's Scholarships (up to 25% fee reduction) are available at 11+ and 13+ for academic excellence. The Headmaster's Scholarship offers 100% fee remission annually at 11+, recognising all-round achievement across academics and co-curricular strengths. Music, art, sport, and drama scholarships are also available, providing partial fee reduction and specialist recognition.
Bursaries (means-tested, not merit-based) assist qualifying families. The school publishes that approximately 12-15% of pupils receive bursary support, though precise figures are not disclosed. The Peter Lee A-level Scholarship, funded by an alumnus, provides full funding to exceptionally able students of Chinese heritage.
Sibling discounts reduce fees for second (5%), third (10%), and subsequent (15%) children. Cathedral staff and Durham University staff receive 10% discount. Children of ordained clergy receive 10% discount. Armed Forces families receive 10% (up to Year 8) or 20% (Years 9-13) discount.
Entry at 16 typically requires GCSE grades in the 7-8 range (A-B) for A-level study. Burkitt Scholarships (up to 100% of fees, subject to means testing) are awarded to external candidates entering sixth form, funded by bequest.
Fees are charged termly (three per year) or payable monthly by direct debit. An application fee of £75 is due upon application; a non-refundable deposit of £250 (day) or £500 (boarder) secures a place.
The school publishes few direct figures on bursary take-up, but the presence of the Peter Lee Scholarship, Burkitt awards, and Cathedral Chorister support (up to 67% bursary) signals genuine commitment to financial access. The stated aim is to avoid fees becoming a barrier to families who identify with the school's values.
Extras include music lessons (additional to curriculum tuition), school trips and visits, transport, and uniform. The school publishes expectations clearly; few surprises emerge after fees are paid.
Lessons typically run 8:50am to 3:20pm (senior school), with wraparound care for younger pupils before 8:50am and after 3:20pm until 6:00pm available.
The school operates coach services connecting Durham city, Sunderland, and surrounding villages. Walking and cycling are common, particularly for day pupils within Durham. Public transport (buses, occasional train access) serves families from further afield. Boarding provides significant flexibility for families unable to manage daily commutes.
Beyond the 45-acre main campus, pupils access the River Wear (boathouse), Durham Cathedral (performances, services, music rehearsals), and various city-centre facilities (libraries, performance halls, museums) that form part of the school's urban advantage. Indoor sports facilities include cricket nets and an astroturf pitch; outdoor provision spans multiple rugby fields, netball courts, and athletic facilities.
Tradition and formality: The school's six-century history and Anglican heritage are genuine, not performed. Chapel attendance features weekly for all (on Friday evenings); hymn singing and liturgical exposure are part of school life. Families uncomfortable with Anglican Christianity should engage honestly about this aspect before applying. The school respects non-Christian families but doesn't pretend religious culture is optional.
Selective entry: Year 7 entry involves entrance examinations and competition. Around 300+ families typically apply for 150+ places. The experience of selection, succeeding or failing an entrance test, carries emotional weight. For some families, this selective aspect is an attraction; others find it anxiety-inducing. Honesty about children's test-taking resilience is important.
Cost: Independent school fees represent a significant family commitment. Even with scholarships and bursaries, families must be comfortable with annual costs in the £20,000-£60,000+ range depending on year group and boarding choice. Fee increases broadly track inflation; budgeting should assume 3-4% annual growth.
Boarding choices: While boarding is optional, the culture reflects a boarding tradition. Weekday life includes substantial boarding cohorts and house systems designed around residential life. Day pupils integrate smoothly, but the school's identity has boarding depth woven throughout.
Arts-heavy programming: Music and drama receive disproportionate campus energy and cultural weight. Students uninterested in or uncomfortable with performance or rehearsal-based activities may feel pressure to participate. Conversely, for creative students, this is precisely the strength.
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation offers genuinely excellent education shaped by six centuries of tradition and recent modernisation working in productive tension. The 2023 ISI Excellent rating, GCSE performance in the top 9% in England (FindMySchool data), and consistent A-level results demonstrate academic substance. The pastoral system and boarding provision create genuine community alongside day option flexibility.
Best suited to families seeking traditional British independent schooling with intellectual seriousness, artistic richness, and pastoral depth. The Cathedral connection and music programme are unmatched within the region. Families drawn to selective entry, Anglican heritage, and residential community will find the experience transformative.
Entry is competitive. Fees are substantial. The culture rewards intellectual curiosity, creative expression, and civic responsibility. For the right family, this remains one of England's finest independent schools.
Yes. The ISI inspection in March 2023 awarded an Excellent rating across all areas. GCSE results rank in the top 9% of schools (396th in England, FindMySchool data). A-level outcomes place the school in the top 21% in England. Teaching is consistently strong, pastoral care is excellent, and the Cathedral connection creates unique opportunities in music and the performing arts.
For the 2025-26 academic year, day fees range from £4,859 per term in the Chorister School to £7,776 per term in Durham School Years 9-13. Boarding fees range from £12,890 to £17,609 per term depending on year group and boarding type. Fees are charged termly (three per year) or by monthly direct debit. An application fee of £75 is due upon application; a non-refundable deposit of £250 (day) or £500 (boarder) secures a place. Sibling discounts, armed forces discounts, and clergy discounts are available.
Entry to Chorister School (ages 3-11) is non-selective for most places, with coordinated admissions for Reception entry and open entry thereafter. Cathedral Chorister positions are highly competitive, selected by voice audition. Entry to Durham School at Year 7 (age 11) and Year 9 (age 13) requires entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Families typically report that entrance test preparation is nearly universal. Entry at sixth form (Year 12) typically requires GCSE grades in the 7-8 range.
King's Scholarships (up to 25% fee remission) are available at 11+ and 13+ for academic excellence. The Headmaster's Scholarship offers 100% fee remission annually at 11+ for all-round achievement. Music, art, sport, and drama scholarships provide partial fee reduction. Bursaries (means-tested) assist qualifying families; approximately 12-15% of pupils receive support. The Peter Lee A-level Scholarship provides full funding to exceptional students of Chinese heritage. Burkitt Scholarships (up to 100%, subject to means testing) are available for sixth form entry.
The school educates approximately 39 Cathedral Choristers (18-21 per voice part) who sing weekday Cathedral services and weekend performances daily. The integration with Durham Cathedral creates opportunities unavailable elsewhere. Beyond the choristers, five additional choirs, orchestras, string ensembles, and specialist instrumental teaching serve all ability levels. The school employs nine dedicated teaching and practice rooms. Annual musical productions involve 50+ students and draw audiences of 1,000+ across multiple performances.
Boarding is optional but integral to school culture. Options include full boarding, weekly boarding (Monday-Friday), and occasional boarding (one or two nights per week). Cathedral Choristers receive two free boarding nights weekly. Approximately 75 boarders live on campus at any time. Houses are single-gender for Years 7-11, with residential staff on-site. The 2023 ISI inspection confirmed full compliance with boarding standards and safeguarding requirements. Weekend life includes Saturday morning lessons, Saturday afternoon fixtures, and Sunday chapel.
In 2024, 55% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with destinations including Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Exeter, and other research-led institutions. Russell Group universities receive substantial numbers of applications and acceptances. Oxbridge receives approximately 9 applications annually from the sixth form, with occasional acceptances. 17% of leavers enter employment directly upon leaving school; smaller numbers pursue further education or apprenticeships. The school's value-added progress measures place it in the top 5% in England at A-level.
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