Durham School
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| Durham School | |
| Motto | Floreat Dunelmia (May Durham Flourish) |
| Established | 1414 |
| Type | Public School |
| Religious affiliation | Anglican |
| Head Master | Neil G. Kern |
| Deputy Head Master | Derek R. Best |
| Chairman | Alasdair MacConachie |
| Founder | Henry VIII |
| Location | Quarryheads Lane Durham County Durham DH1 4SZ England  |
| Gender | Co-Educational |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| Houses | 5 |
| School colours | green & white |
| Former pupils | Old Dunelmians |
| Website | www.durhamschool.co.uk |
| Coordinates: | |
Durham School is an independent British day and boarding school for girls and boys (age 3-18) in Durham. It was founded by at least 1414 (the foundation date accepted by the Clarendon Commission into public schools in 1861), and refounded by Henry VIII of England during the Protestant Reformation in 1541. Although the school is the 18th oldest in Britain, it may actually have origins in the Priory at Lindisfarne, being moved to Durham City to escape marauding Viking invaders around the time that St. Cuthbert's body was brought to what is now the site of Durham Cathedral.
The headmaster is Neil G. Kern BA.
Contents |
[edit] History
From: The city of Durham - Introduction (3 of 3). William Page 1928 [1]
There was some zeal for education in Durham during the 18th century. Durham School, rebuilt in 1661, on the Palace Green, soon became, instead of a local grammar school, a north-country public school of repute and wide influence. We can trace from the Restoration onwards not only the familiar city names such as Salvin, Wilkinson, Hutchinson, Blakiston, Fawcett, Bowes, Calverley, Cole. One of the chief distinctions of the school is the succession of local historians and antiquaries who drew their inspiration from the venerable association of the old school on the Green. Most famous of these is James Mickleton (1638–93), without whom no history of mediaeval or 17th-century Durham would be possible. (fn. 144) Local history owes very much to Elias Smith, a notable head master (1640–66) who did his best to preserve the cathedral library through the Protectorate troubles, and to Thomas Rudd, head master (1691–9 and 1709–11), who indexed the Cathedral manuscripts. Later than these comes Thomas Randall (head master 1761–8), who made a large collection of manuscript material for local history.
[edit] House System
It is split into five different houses:
- Caffinites House (for day boys)
- Poole House (for boarders and day boys)
- School House (for day boys)
- Pimlico House (for boarders and day girls)
- MacLeod House (for day girls)
At various times in the school's history there has also been Langley house, named after the school's founder, Cardinal Langley. This was initially sited in what is now the Grove, which contains the school's administration and staff-room, but after this was closed, it was re-opened several years later in the old Sanitorium as a day house. In 1998, this house closed its doors for pupils for the last time and the building was converted into a classroom block. Another former house was Ferens House, that was specifically for lower-school boys in years 7 and 8. This house was removed in 2005 and replaced with pupils being allocated to one of the 5 main houses.
[edit] Co-Curriculum
- Durham School is the fourth or fifth oldest football club of any kind in the world and has produced many international rugby union players as well as introducing the game to Scotland (please see below). Durham School Football Club was founded in 1850 and was from 1890-1930 one of the greatest rugby nurseries in England - this was first recognised by the Barbarians RFC who honoured the school by playing a full side against the Old Dunelmians in 1897 (Barbarians won 18-5). The school was unsurpassed prior to the First World War and just before the war supplied 4 England players as well as a number of England trialists - these halcyon days came to a tragic end when their international heroes were either killed or wounded in the war. Surprisingly the school went from strength to strength after the war and between 1920 and 1930 produced seven full internationals as well as several trialists (England, Scotland and British Lions). The headmaster during this great period was Richard Thomas Dutton Budworth who was himself a former England international and Barbarian.
- The school are regularly one of the best rugby sides in the north-east and they are one of the best school rugby union sides in the UK, reaching the Daily Mail Cup Semi Final on 5 occasions in the last 10 years and being runners up in 2001 and 2006. This is despite the school's size - having only 250 boys. Rugby is fiercely contested and matches against rivals Barnard Castle are very highly contested.
- Newcastle Falcons (originally Gosforth) rugby union club were founded as the old boys side and played in the school's colours until recently (green and white hoops).
- Durham School has hosted many England schoolboy rugby players, such as Lee Best (currently Worcester), Michael Stephenson[2] (currently Bath), Hall Charlton(currently Newcastle Falcons), Geoff Parling (currently Newcastle Falcons). Younger boys coming through the ranks include Michael Young (England under 18's) and Robert Bell (also England under 18's).
- Their 2 most famous players from the modern era are Mike Weston (England and British Lions) and Garath Archer (England).
- The school has also produced a number of first class cricketers in recent years as well as internationals in other sports. The Roseberry and Weston brothers have been the most successful at cricket. Durham School Boat Club, founded in 1847, is a co-founder of Durham Regatta, held in June each year. The boat club has produced many international athletes across the years, representing Great Britain at olympic, world, university and junior level. The latest being England representation at the home international regatta in 2006. DSBC has produced many fine crews over the years, some of which won multiple major events in the region in their day.
[edit] Notable alumni: Old Dunelmians
[edit] School song
Good fellows all now sing with me,
The song that beats all songs that be;
Now conquer sloth and scorn catarrh,
Singing "Floreat Dunelmia."
Chorus: Floreat Dunelmia, Floreat Dunelmia,
Floreat Dunelmia, Floreat Dunelmia
A thousand years they've sung the same,
From days of Aldhune, holy name,
When clergy plied with pick and bar,
Singing "Floreat Dunelmia."
Chorus
And so shall we, whate'er we be,
Whether a lawyer lacking fee,
Or priest or scribe or bold hussar,
Sing "Floreat Dunelmia"
Chorus
[edit] (CCF) Combined Cadet Force
The CCF is a military organisation within schools in Great Britain. Durham School CCF has been running since before World War One, with some of its members fighting and often dying. Their names can be seen on the pilars in the school's hill-top chapel, which is dedicated to them. There are three sections in the CCF which are...
- The Army section
- The Royal Navy(RN) section
- The Royal Air Force (RAF) section
Each section has it's own specialities. The army with its soldiering, first aid, map-work etc. The RN with its sailing. The RAF with its aviation skills. All of the sections go on camps /courses which are allways highly enjoyable for both teachers and cadets (pupils). To join the CCF at Durham School you need to be in the summer term of year 11 or above. Usually you can apply and join straight away but recently teh RAF section had to use a selection process as they have had a record number of pupils applying. The instructors (officers) of the CCF are mainly teachers. These include
- Major Jones - (Chemistry teacher)
- Pilot Officer Aitken - (Chemistry Teacher)
- Chief Petty Officer Hewitt - (Geography Teacher)
- Lieutenant Wallace - (Chemistry teacher)
- Second Lieutenant Kime - (English Teacher)
- Sergeant Major(WO2) Atkinson - (School Marshal)
Recenty two high ranking officers have retired their posts in the CCF...
- Lieutenant Colonel Burgess (Biology Teacher)
- Squadron Leader Curry - (Physics Teacher)
