DCSF Events

12/05/2026

Looking forward to this brilliant event!

🔥 Friends of DCSF Family BBQ – This Friday! 🔥

Join us from 3.30pm till 8pm this Friday 15 May on The Playground at Durham School for a fantastic afternoon and evening of food, fun and community spirit for families from FS1 right through to Year 13.

There will be plenty of delicious BBQ favourites to enjoy including:
🍔 Venison burgers
🌯 Venison flatbreads
🥙 Roasted vegetable flatbreads
🌭 Hot dogs
🥗 Salads and more

Plus:
🍹 Bar
🏰 Bouncy castle
🎯 Stalls run by our brilliant Year 6 pupils
🎉 Lots of fun and games for all ages

Bring the whole family, meet friends old and new, and help us make it a wonderful community evening. We look forward to seeing you there!

22/04/2026

We are delighted to invite you to attend our series of summer recitals being held to raise funds for the ongoing upkeep and restoration of the Durham School Chapel organ.
Durham School Chapel resonates with fond memories for all Old Dunelmians, many of whom will recall hearing the chapel organ regularly while singing hymns throughout the week. This fine instrument has a remarkable history but is now in need of restoration work, along with improvements to its specification, to ensure that it continues to inspire current and future generations of pupils.
We do hope you will join us for what promises to be an exciting and memorable series of recitals.
The first recital will take place on Saturday, 25 April 2026, performed by Daniel Cook, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Durham Cathedral.
Tickets for the event can be booked via the following link:
https://tickets.dcsf.org.uk

17/04/2026

Easter Camps 2026

What an incredible two weeks at our DCSF Easter Camps! From non-stop sports and creative crafts to exciting STEM activities, swimming, and fun filled days out, it has been amazing to see so many children engaged in new experiences.

At DCSF, we pride ourselves on offering more than just childcare, we create opportunities for children to build confidence, form friendships, and grow in ways that help them thrive in whatever they choose to pursue outside of our camps.

This Easter, we were delighted to welcome lots of new faces alongside familiar ones. It is always special to see children returning year after year, building lasting friendships and creating unforgettable memories together.

A huge thank you to all the staff at DCSF and our incredible camp coaches who come together to make our holiday camps such a success.

We are also so grateful to the parents who continue to trust us, and to the children who tell us they cannot wait to come back each time, that is what it is all about.

We will be starting plans for our Summer Holiday Camps very soon, and we cannot wait to do it all again.
If you would like to register your child for advance booking, please email [email protected].

17/04/2026

Easter Camps visit to Auckland Palace

Yesterday, over 40 children had the opportunity to visit Auckland Palace, gaining a fantastic insight into the palace and its beautiful grounds. Set in the heart of County Durham, the palace has a rich history dating back over 800 years and was once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, who played a key role in governing the region.

The younger children enjoyed the Palace and the Faith Museum in smaller groups, while exploring the grounds and the walled gardens.

Our slightly older campers benefited from a guided tour with our own Librarian and Archivist George. His knowledge and passion helped deepen their understanding of the palace’s history and its significance to the bishops and County Durham.

Thank you to the staff at The Auckland Project for being so welcoming and informative throughout the visit. Your enthusiasm and support made a real difference to the children’s experience.

A brilliant trip for all involved, the perfect combination of fun and learning, bringing history to life in such a meaningful way.

11/04/2026

What a way to wrap up the first week of our DCSF Easter Camps.

It has been an action packed week full of fun, creativity, and adventure. From indoor cricket and basketball, to nature mandalas, den building, and marshmallow toasting. We have designed and flown paper aeroplanes, created some amazing dress designs, and made beautiful Easter baskets too.

Of course, it would not be a DCSF camp without our daily swimming sessions, and we even squeezed in a fantastic day out to Locomotion at Shildon.

We have had an incredible week and loved every minute of it. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back on Monday for even more fun.

There is still time to book your space for next week , just use the link here: kids.dcsf.org.uk

We accept credit/debit card, childcare vouchers, tax-free childcare, and the Fun & Food platform.

30/03/2026

On Friday evening our Year 10 and Year 11 pupils brought the Spring Term to a memorable close at their Masquerade Ball. They enjoyed a superb three course meal, a selection of alcohol free cocktails, and an evening of karaoke and dancing before carriages at 11pm.

Events such as these play an important role in developing young people's social confidence, and are a valued part of the rich programme of experiences offered throughout their time at Chorister School and Durham School.

The event was organised with the assistance of a committee of pupils and raised £100 for their chosen charity - Durham Dogs and Cats Home.

27/03/2026

Just over one week until the start of our Easter Camps. Book your space here: kids.dcsf.org.uk

We thoroughly appreciate it when our parents take the time to give feedback to us about the experience of their children during our holiday camps.
"Thank you for the excellent experience Isabelle has had at summer club this year. She has had a fantastic time and has specifically enjoyed her time at club with Innes, Lucy and Bea. Summer holidays is a particularly difficult time to juggle work and parental responsibilities and knowing Isabelle was having such a great time took a lot of the usual stress away. I will definitely be booking in future!"

We pride ourselves on providing fun, themed activities delivered by our experienced team alongside outdoor play and exploration, sports, games and creative sessions.

What is included:
• Wrap-around care from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Hot lunch provided daily
• A wide range of age-appropriate activities
• Expert coaches and friendly staff
• Small group sizes for individual attention
• Swimming every day (alternative options available)

Book your child place here: kids.dcsf.org.uk or email [email protected] for further details.

26/03/2026

On Monday 25 May 2026, we will be collaborating with Year 12 pupils John and Dan in their World Challenge Golf Day, to raise funds for their trip to Slovenia.

To support the pupils in their fundraising efforts we are joining forces and combining our OD Golf Tournament with the World Challenge Golf Day at Chester le Street Golf Club. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring ODs together and compete for the Willan Bowl while supporting these two pupils in their fundraising efforts.

The day will begin with pre-round tea/coffee and bacon/sausage sandwiches from 09:00, followed by a round of golf with tee times from 10:00-12:00 (Stableford rules) on the 18-hole course.

We will finish with a 2-course meal in the club house, which will then remain open for socialising. Prizes and the Willan Bowl will be awarded after the meal.

Tickets are priced at £55 per player or £200 if booked as a 4 ball and includes all of the above.

We also have two sponsorship packages which are available to both individuals as well as businesses:

Sponsorship Package Option 1 at £250:

Advertising/Sponsorship sign on one of the tee boxes.

Sponsorship Package Option 2 at £450:

Advertising/Player Package – 4 players x 18 holes, plus sponsorship sign on one of the tee boxes.

Places are limited, so early booking is advised.

Please contact Dan or John on [email protected] confirming which option you would like before Sunday 17 May.

So gather your contemporaries and join us for what promises to be an enjoyable day of golf to support an excellent cause.

Floreat Dunelmia!

26/03/2026

We are delighted to be recruiting Activities Resident Tutors to join our vibrant school community from September 2026!

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in boarding life, supporting pupils beyond the classroom and helping to deliver an exciting programme of activities.
Full details of the role can be found on our website: https://www.dcsf.org.uk/about-dcsf/vacancies/ Applicants must complete the DCSF Non-Teaching Application Form Closing date: Friday 24 April at 12 noon.

If you’re enthusiastic, motivated and passionate about working with young people, we would love to hear from you!

23/03/2026

Limited Fun & Food Spaces Now Available

We are pleased to announce that we now have a limited number of additional Fun & Food spaces available for our DCSF Easter Camps.

This increased availability allows more families to take part, giving even more children the chance to enjoy a fantastic Easter filled with fun, activity, and new experiences.

Fun & Food spaces can be booked through the link sent via your child’s school.

All paid places can be booked directly through our website: kids.dcsf.org.uk
We also have paid spaces available from the week commencing 30 March for those schools that break up on March 27, with full camps running from Tuesday 7 April.

Choosing childcare over the Easter holidays can feel overwhelming, but our DCSF Easter Camps offer much more than just a place for children to spend the day. Our camps are designed to give every child an active, engaging, and memorable experience.

Our expert coaches and friendly staff support every child throughout the day, helping them try new activities, build confidence, and make great memories.

Book your place here: kids.dcsf.org.uk
What is included:
• Wrap-around care from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Hot lunch provided daily
• A wide range of age-appropriate activities
• Expert coaches and friendly staff
• Small group sizes for individual attention
• Swimming every day (alternative options available)

Book your child place here: kids.dcsf.org.uk or email [email protected] for further details.

23/03/2026

Durham School Book Fair is taking place on Wednesday, 25 March, through to Friday 27 March. The book fair will take place in Big School during break and lunchtime for pupils to select and purchase books.

Please purchase Book Fair Gift Vouchers to be used at the fair by following the link below, as cash will not be taken.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/gift-vouchers
If you would also like to look at the range of books on offer, please visit:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/bookcases/tt