Chorister School, Durham

The Chorister School
Established c. 1400
Type Preparatory day and boarding
Choral foundation school
Religion Church of England
Headteacher Yvette Day
Chair Of Governors Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham
Location Durham
County Durham
DH1 3EL
England
54°46′20″N 1°34′40″W / 54.772096°N 1.577786°W / 54.772096; -1.577786Coordinates: 54°46′20″N 1°34′40″W / 54.772096°N 1.577786°W / 54.772096; -1.577786
Staff 35 approx.
Students 225 approx.
Gender Mixed
Ages 3–13
Houses 4: Flambard Langley Pudsey Skirlaw
Colours Purple and gold          
Website www.thechoristerschool.com

The Chorister School is a co-educational independent school for the 3 to 13 age range. It consists of a nursery (opened in September 2008), a pre-preparatory and preparatory day and boarding school in Durham, England. It is located at 9 The College, a Grade I listed building adjacent to Durham Cathedral. The majority of the pupils at the school attend on a "day" basis, with about 45 boarders of both sexes making up the balance. Boys and girls who are choristers all board. Pupils are taught in small classes in a collection of historic buildings all of which form part of the college, or cathedral close.

The Chorister School should not be confused with Durham School, a mile or so to the west.

History

Its creation dates back to 1416 as a school for the cathedral's choirboys. Whilst historically the school had fewer pupils, from 5 to 24, ages 8 to 20, expansion began in 1948 to reach the numbers of today. This necessitated a number of moves of building in the cathedral area. The school became co-educational in 1994.

Choristers

All Durham Cathedral choristers attend the Chorister School.

The Durham Cathedral Choir consists of 20 girl choristers and 20 boy choristers who sing separately alongside the 12 men of the choir. Choristers typically join the choir between the ages of 7 and 9 and remain until the age of 13.

The choristers receive a (50%) discounted education as boarding pupils. Further means tested financial support can be provided. Choristers are able to participate fully in all of the extra-curricular activities that the school offers, including drama and sport.

Choristers receive a first class musical education and experience performing to the highest of standards in one of Britain's favourite buildings. The majority of the choir's singing takes place during the daily worship of Durham Cathedral. However, the choir also takes part in concerts, recordings, live broadcasts on the radio and television and international tours.

Sport

The school is not noted for major sporting success, as it is a preparatory school, but they have had some years of note. A major year in the school's history for sport was from 2005-2006, when the boys' 1st teams went unbeaten for the whole academic year. The year started with rugby, and under head coach Jon Bland the team went 10 games unbeaten (Played 10 Won 10, Points for 486, Points Against 0) and had no points scored against them. This led to the award of 2006 School Sports Matters Team of the year. They also won the Northern Sevens Tournament held at Durham School. This led into the football term, where the 1st XI won all four games as well as a five-a-side competition at Newcastle School for Boys under coach Gary Brown, before heading into cricket term where they went seven games unbeaten, only drawing one and winning the majority by 150 runs or more, once again under the coaching of Jon Bland.

Head teachers

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Notable former pupils

References

  1. ↑ Of Choristers, ancient and modern: Durham Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Letter from Governors of King's College School, Cambridge
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 School Alumni Roll Call Archived 2009-08-24 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. 1 2 obituary of C Hancock in Independent
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