DCSF Events

08/06/2026

Exciting Summer Sports Camp Announcement
Book your spaces now at kids.dcsf.org.uk

This summer, Durham School Sports Camp is raising the bar once again.

We are delighted to announce that both The Foundation of Light and Newcastle Rugby Foundation will be joining us to deliver expert coaching and unforgettable experiences for our summer camp children.

Open to all children aged 7–13, our camp takes place on the outstanding grounds of Durham School and offers far more than standard holiday childcare. Every day is carefully structured, professionally delivered and packed with purposeful activity designed to keep children active, engaged, social and smiling all summer long.

Our weekly programme combines specialist coaching with varied multi-sport activities. Every child will also enjoy daily swimming sessions delivered by SWIM.

This is not a “pile them in and keep them occupied” holiday club.

Our camps are built around high-quality coaching, energetic activities, healthy routines and genuine care for young people. Children spend their days learning new skills, building confidence, making friends and staying active in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment led by experienced staff who are passionate about youth sport and development.

Every booking includes:

• Expert coaching from leading regional sports organisations
• Daily swimming sessions
• Healthy hot lunches
• Wraparound care from 8.30am–5.30pm included as standard
• Safe, structured and engaging activities throughout the day

Prices start from £48 per day or £240 for the full week.

Families using childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare can reduce the cost to just £38.50 per day — making our camp an outstanding value option for families looking for a premium summer experience for their children.

If you want your child to have an active, exciting and enriching summer with expert coaching and exceptional care, we’d love to welcome them to Durham School Sports Camp.

Book your spaces now at kids.dcsf.org.uk

05/06/2026

Join us for a weekend celebrating Co-Education and the friendships that came from it.

Forty years ago, in the Autumn of 1985, Durham School welcomed its first female pupils, with Choristers and Bow following 10 years later. This weekend is about celebrating women at the Foundation, throughout four decades of coeducation, through sporting events and music-making alongside current pupils, a formal dinner with dancing afterwards, and a Chapel service using the combined forces of the OD Chapel Choir and current Chapel Choir pupils.

All our alumni, and particularly our alumnae, are welcome, so please come along and bring your family, friends, and fellow ODs with you. All former Housemistresses, key Sports Mistresses, and other staff key to making CoEd a reality are being invited to attend, so there will be plenty of chances for you to catch up with much-loved members of staff.

This is a chance to get the girls (and boys) back together, and enjoy a lovely summer's day on the Wear, on the Playground shooting some goals or making some runs, singing back in Chapel, or just sitting back and enjoying it all with a glass of Pimms in hand. We'll also have a bouncy castle, face-painting and other family activities in the afternoon, and a demand-based Crèche in the evening, to help you get the whole family involved.

It's also a chance to get the Almighty Classes of '86, '96, 2006, and 2016 back together to relive old times.

The Dinner will be catered for by Ramside Hall, who did such a spectacular job for the 175 dinner. Excellent wines provided through friendly OD Wine Merchant Luke Flunder will be provided to compliment the delicious fayre and mean that thanks to their generous discounts we will get a lot of quality for a keenly-priced ticket, and the chance to dance the night away afterwards or catch up more with friends at your table or the Orangery bar.

https://olddunelmians.org.uk/ODSummerWeekend26

04/06/2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening of glamour, celebration, and community at this year's Friends of DCSF Summer Ball

https://friends.dcsf.org.uk/SummerBall26

The dress code is black tie. Whether in cocktail dresses, tuxedos, or other formal wear guests are encouraged to "Strike a Pose"

Set in the stunning surroundings of the Radisson Blu Hotel Durham, this special event promises an elegant night filled with energy, entertainment, and style.

The Summer Ball warmly welcomes:
Parents of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation pupils and their guests;
Old Dunelmians (ODs) and their guests; and
All Year 13 pupils and their parents.

Please note that, unfortunately, no other current Durham School pupils are permitted to attend.

Prepare for an evening to remember, featuring: A fantastic live band to keep you dancing all night Delicious food in a beautiful setting A range of entertainments and surprises throughout the evening A vibrant atmosphere with friends, old and new Whether you're dressing to impress or ready to hit the dance floor, this is your chance to truly strike a pose.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly towards supporting projects across Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, helping to enrich the experience of pupils and the wider school community.

Dust off your dancing shoes, gather your friends, and join us for a spectacular summer celebration.

https://friends.dcsf.org.uk/SummerBall26

The event is a fundraising event for the Friends of DCSF a registered charity Number 1081299.

04/06/2026

Join us for a special Whole Foundation Concert featuring pupils from the Chorister School alongside our own Durham School musicians.

The concert will begin at 6:30pm and will showcase a diverse programme of performances by soloists and small ensembles. Audiences can look forward to an eclectic mix of music, ranging from classical favourites to rock classics, celebrating the breadth of talent across our school community. We look forward to welcoming you for an enjoyable evening of music-making and collaboration.

https://news.dcsf.org.uk/SummerMusic26

03/06/2026

We are delighted to invite families and friends to our Drama and Music Variety Show on 25 June, a celebration of the creativity, talent and hard work of pupils from across the school. Featuring performers from every year group except Year 11 and Year 13, who are currently on study leave, the evening will showcase a wide range of performances including drama, dance, music, musical theatre and magic.

The variety of acts reflects the breadth of talent within our school community and provides pupils with the opportunity to share their skills and passions with a live audience. The show brings together performers of all ages, creating a vibrant and entertaining programme that highlights both individual achievement and collaborative work. Audiences can look forward to an evening of creativity, energy and imagination, with something for everyone to enjoy.

We are incredibly proud of all the pupils involved and grateful to the staff who have supported them throughout the rehearsal process. We hope you will join us for what promises to be a memorable evening of entertainment and celebration.

https://news.dcsf.org.uk/VarietyShow26

This is a Fundraising Event for DCSF Registered Charity No. 1023407

02/06/2026

Join us from 5:00pm at the Durham School Gazebo on the riverbank for a relaxed summer BBQ with family and friends.

Your ticket includes a delicious barbecue supper featuring: Sausages Burgers Baked potatoes Coleslaw and Mixed salads.

Please note that alcohol cannot be sold by DSBC. Guests are very welcome to bring their own drinks, including alcoholic beverages if desired.

Alternatively, the Durham Amateur Rowing Club bar marquee, located immediately next to our gazebo, will be open during the early evening.

If you would like to make a donation to support our fabulous rowers, there is also a button on the ticket booking page to let you do this.

We look forward to seeing you for a fantastic evening by the river.

This is a fundraising event for DSBC.

https://news.dcsf.org.uk/DurhamRegatta26

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.