Extra Curricular

We have an extensive programme of lunchtime and extra-curricular activities to which all children are welcome, and all of which are free of charge. The exact programme changes depending on the term, and can be found below.

Our Sixth Formers play an active role in our extra-curricular offer, but also have their own programme beyond this, Enrichment+. You can find out more at this link.

Extra Curricular Programme Spring Term 2025:

Monday

First Lunch (12:00-12:45 – Years 7, 8, 12 & 13)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Theory Club

MU2

Years 7, 8, 12 &13

Help with music theory for those doing graded music exams


Second Lunch (1:00-1:45 – Years 9, 10 & 11)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

English Drop-in

English

Year 11

11X1b – EN6; 11X2d – EN3

French Drop-in

LA9

Year 11

 

Geography Support

GG3

Year 11

 

History Revision

GG1

Year 11

Drop in

Physics Revision (Higher)

SC12

11X2B

Drop in


After School

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Cricket

PE

Year 7-13 Girls

 

Tennis

PE

Year 7-13 Boys

 

Tuesday Extra-Curricular Offer

First Lunch (12:00-12:45 – Years 7, 8, 12 & 13)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Christian Union

RE2

Years 7 & 8

Students can collect a pass from RE2 before getting their lunch


Second Lunch (1:00-1:45 – Years 9, 10 & 11)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Art Intervention

AR1

Year 11

 

Business Support

BS2

Years 10 & 11

 

English Drop-in

English

Year 11

EN4 - 11Y2a; EN7 – 11X2d, 11Y1a

Food/Textiles/DT Support

GR2

Year 11

 

Music Support

MU3

Year 9 - 11

Extra support for those taking GCSE Music

Scrabble Club

EN2

Year 9 - 11

 

VEX V5

TEP

Years 9 & 10

Design & manufacture a robot that can complete a range of set tasks as part of a national competition.


After School

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Chemistry Support

SC4

Years 12 & 13

 

Chemistry Support

EN4

Year 11

Separates/Triple Scientists

CREST Science

SC5

Years 10 & 11

 

Cricket

PE

Boys

 

Dance for All

PE

Year 7-13

 

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Bronze

Varies

Year 9

See DofE Team for up-to-date information about location and session content.

English Drop-in

English

Year 11

EN5 - 11X1a &11Y3; EN2 - 11X2b; EN3 – 11X2a, 11Y3

Geography Games Club

GG5

All years

Play amazing Geography themed games!

Greek Club

LA8

Years 8 – 13

Open to anyone who would like to learn some Ancient Greek - complete beginners and those who have done a bit in the past.

History Revision

GG1

Year 11

Drop in

Japanese Club

LA6

Years 8 - 13

 

Maths Study Space

MA3

Years 10 - 13

A quiet study space for students to complete independent maths revision and/or homework

Maths Support

MA2

Years 10 & 11

 

Maths Support

MA8

Year 11

Further Maths lessons

Newsletter Club

Year 8
YL Office

Year 8

Please see Mrs Lennon for more details.

Psychology Support

SS1

Year 13

 

Technical Theatre Club

Drama Studio

Years 7 - 10

Will re-start after the exam period.

Tennis

PE

Year 7-13 Girls

 

VEX V5

TEP

Years 10 & 11

Design & manufacture a robot that can complete a range of set tasks as part of a national competition.

Wednesday

First Lunch (12:00-12:45 – Years 7, 8, 12 & 13)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Card Trick Club

SC4

Years 7 & 8

 

Chess Club

MA1

Years 7 & 8

All ability levels welcome

Cyber Explorers/Cyber First

IT2

Years 7 & 8

Cyber Explorers will run throughout the year, open to everyone.
The Cyber First competition is for girls only; runs approximately from October to February

Physics Discussion Club

SC11

Year 12

 

Scrabble Club

EN8

Year 7

 


Second Lunch (1:00-1:45 – Years 9, 10 & 11)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Art Intervention

AR1

Year 11

 

Business/Computing Study Support

BS1

Years 10 & 11

 

English Drop-in

EN7

Year 11

11Y1a

English Language Intervention

EN5

Year 11

By invitation

Justice Club

MA4

Years 9-11

Open to all who are interested in rights and equality

Maths Support

IT4

Years 9 - 11

 

Physics Revision (Foundation)

SC12

Year 11

Drop in

Theory Club

MU2

Years 10 & 11

Help with music theory for those doing graded music exams

VEX V5

TEP

Years 9 & 10

Design & manufacture a robot that can complete a range of set tasks as part of a national competition.


After School

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Athletics

PE

All years

 

Biology Drop in

SC6

Years 12 & 13

Bring independent work for support

Chemistry Support

SC4

Year 11

Combined

Chess Club

MA1

Year 9-11

 

Construction Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

 

Drama Club

Drama Studio

Year 9

Will re-start after the exam period.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Silver

Varies

Year 10

See DofE Team for up-to-date information about location and session content.

Engineering Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

GCSE & Vocational

Food/Textiles/DT Support

GR2

Year 11

 

Green Club

GR1

All years

Working on the school greenhouse and garden. Bring a change of clothes for working in the garden.

History Revision

HI1

Year 11

Drop in

Maths Support

MA9

Years 10 & 11

Higher

Maths Support

MA7

Years 10 & 11

Foundation/borderline

Maths Support

MA6

Years 12 & 13

 

Physics Support

SC2

Year 12

 

Programming Club

IT2

Years 7&8
Year 9

Year 7 and 8 Scratch club in the first half-term
Year 9 Hacking Minecraft in the second half-term

VEX V5

TEP

Years 10 & 11

Design & manufacture a robot that can complete a range of set tasks as part of a national competition.

Warhammer Club

HI3

All years

No need to have models; come and explore a new hobby. Alternating between tournaments and painting experience.

 

Thursday

First Lunch (12:00-12:45 – Years 7, 8, 12 & 13)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Keyboard Club

MU2

Years 7 & 8

Open to everybody

KS3 French Support

 

Years 7 & 8

 


Second Lunch (1:00-1:45 – Years 9, 10 & 11)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Art Intervention

AR1

Year 11

 

Aural Skills

MU1

Years 9 - 11

Help with aural tests for those doing graded music exams.

Business Support

IT1

Years 10 & 11

 

Computer Science Study Support

BS1

Years 10 & 11

 

Construction Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

 

Engineering Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

GCSE & Vocational


After School

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Biology Drop in

SC8

Years 10 & 11

Bring independent work for support

Chemistry Support

SC4

Years 12 & 13

Chemistry Support

Drama Club

Drama Studio

Years 7 & 8

Will re-start after the exam period.

English Drop-In

English

Year 11

EN5 – 11X1a; EN1 – 11X2a & 11Y2b; EN7 – 11X2c; EN9 – 11Y1b

French Support

LA7

Year 10

 

History Revision

H!4

Year 11

Drop in

Japanese Club

LA4

Year 7

 

Maths Support

MA5

Years 10 - 13

 

Maths Support – Sparx Maths

IT4

Years 7 - 11

Study space for completing Sparx maths homework, with teacher support available.

Physics Support

SC9

Year 11

 

Physics Support

SC2

Year 13

 

Rugby

PE

Girls

 

 

Friday

First Lunch (12:00-12:45 – Years 7, 8, 12 & 13)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Aural Skills

MU3

Years 7, 8, 12 & 13

Help with Aural for those doing graded music exams

Maths Support

IT4

Years 7 & 8

Study space for completing Sparx maths homework, with teacher support available


Second Lunch (1:00-1:45 – Years 9, 10 & 11)

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Christian Union

LA6

Years 9 - 11

 

Construction Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

 

Engineering Support

GR1, TEP

Years 10 & 11

GCSE & Vocational

English Language Intervention

EN5

Year 11

By invitation

French Speaking Practice

LA2

Years 10 - 11

 

Translation Bee

LA7

Year 9

 

 


After School

Activity

Where?

Who?

Additional information…

Cycling Club

PE

All years

 

Maths Support

MA7

Year 10 - 11

 

Maths Support

IT4

Years 7 - 9

Study space for completing Sparx maths homework, with teacher support available

Rounders

PE

Year 7-13 Girls

 

 

Durham Johnston School Music Department

Extra-Curricular Offer

 

The Music Department at Durham Johnston School has a long tradition of offering high-quality musical activities, open to all pupils. Our activities provide pupils with a chance to be creative, express themselves, and build team-work skills, in an environment that encourages commitment and reliability, and offers a space to enjoy making music as a community.

 

A programme of weekly after-school rehearsals runs from September to Easter, and each term culminates with evening concerts celebrating the hard work and high standards achieved. We encourage pupils to join an ensemble for a whole term, so that they experience the process of rehearsals leading to performance. In reality, many pupils join for a term and remain committed for 7 years!

In addition to the performing ensembles, we also offer a range of lunchtime activities, from Keyboard Club to Aural Skills sessions, all supporting pupils’ musical development. These run all year round.

 

We aim to make all our activities as inclusive as possible, but also recognise the need to challenge our most able musicians by offering sessions that give them chance to further their musical skills. The following table shows what we currently offer, and for whom it is suitable,

 

Rehearsal Schedule:

Day

Lunchtime

2.45-3.45pm

Mon

1st

Theory Club

(Staff meeting)

2nd

(no activities)

Tue

1st

Chamber Choir 

Junior Orchestra - MU1

Wind Band - Hall

2nd

GCSE Support 

Wed

1st

(no activities)

Junior Choir - MU1

Senior Choir - Hall

2nd

Theory Club

Thur

1st

Keyboard Club

Senior Orchestra - Hall

2nd

Theory Club

Fri

1st

Aural Skills

(No activities)

2nd

(no activities)

 

 

 

What our students say…

 

“Senior Orchestra is a great place to practice fun pieces with friends and make new friends who share your interests. All the music teachers are lovely and friendly!” (Year 11)

 

“I do music because I enjoy doing something that makes people smile and might lighten a day that has been dark for someone.” (Year 9)

 

“I’ve just finished my time as a chorister in Durham Cathedral and have been doing music non-stop for 4 years. When I came to Durham Johnston School, I had a really good time and I believe that the music here is great and I would love to develop my music further from here.” (Year 9)

 

“I love going to orchestra and choir because we have a great time learning new pieces of music and it’s really fun to watch us improve.”

 

“I go to choir and orchestra because I enjoy playing an instrument and singing. These clubs are good because I can learn new songs and push myself to do well.”

 

“Extra-curricular music has provided me with valuable performing opportunities as part of a group and a chance to bond with other people in all year groups through a common interest in music.” (Year 13)

 

“I enjoy extra-curricular music activities because I get a chance to play the piano with ensembles, which is rare since it is a solo instrument. Every week we come together to celebrate music and play; it’s like a big family and a great break from academic studies as we can be creative.” (Year 13)

 

“Since joining Durham Johnston (in the Sixth Form), I have enjoyed making music in a group setting, with others who are as enthusiastic about it as I am. I feel grateful for this unique opportunity due to the high quality of education and passion for music at the school.” (Year 13)

 

“It provides an opportunity to engage with music on a deeper level. It is a great way to involve more people in music and you don’t have to be studying music to participate.”

 

 

Music Tuition 

 

Through partnership with Durham Music Service, we offer tuition in singing and a wide range of instruments. Lessons, which may be in small groups, or individual if possible, are weekly and lesson times rotate to ensure that pupils do not miss part of the same curriculum lesson on consecutive weeks. Where possible, we try to provide fixed slots for pupils in Year 11 to 13 outside the teaching day, or in study periods. There is a charge for this provision, although costs are subsidised by the Arts Council and extra financial support is available for Pupil Premium students and those in Local Authority Care. Pupils who receive lessons from the Music Service in Year 6 are automatically transferred to our registers and throughout the year there are often opportunities to start/ restart tuition. Please contact Mr Holmes (Subject Leader for Music) if you have any questions.  

 

 

MUSICAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!

SUMMER 2025

Durham Johnston Music Festival: Thursday 26th June, James Hall, from 18.00
The Whinney Hill Cup (Grades 1-3), The Crossgate Moor Cup (Grades 4-5), The Durham Johnston Cup (Grades 6+). More details available after Easter.

Music for a Summer Evening: Thursday 3rd July, James Hall, 19.00
An informal evening of music making for Y13 leavers and their parents and friends.
Tickets will be on sale after June half term.

 

Durham Johnston School PE Department

Extra-Curricular Offer

 

The PE department at Durham Johnston is committed to providing a wide variety of sporting opportunities to students, open to all regardless of background and ability. As well as providing training and social sport opportunities, we coach our students to the highest levels, competing at locally, regionally and nationally. In the school year 2022-23, we reached national finals in three different sports.

We are regularly listed among the best co-educational state schools in the country for sport.

 

The clubs allow children to develop a range of physical skills but also encourage teamwork, co-operation and friendship. Leadership is also encouraged with older students able to support the clubs working with younger children.

 

The PE department also run successful school visits abroad, including skiing, and summer sports trips to Malaga.

 

We publish a weekly bulletin of fixtures and opportunities below:

Sports Bulletin

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School

 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.

Students at DJCS can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Students in Year 9 take part in the Bronze award. Students in Year 10 take part in the Silver award.

Students in Sixth form will have the opportunity to take part in the Gold award from September 2024.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold.  They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Communication about DofE happens primarily through Microsoft Teams – students are expected to check their Teams account regularly to keep up to date with information.

Additional information about DofE is available on the DofE website


Bronze

The students follow a training programme after school during Year 9, where they learn the skills they need to take part in their team expedition.

The training covers first aid, camp craft, navigation, teamwork and cooking.

The students work throughout the year on their Skill, Physical and Volunteering sections.

The Bronze expedition takes place in June.

The Bronze award coordinator is Miss I Oldroyd.


Silver

The students follow a condensed training programme after school during part of Year 10, where they build on the skills they learnt in year 9 during Bronze training.

The training continues, covering camp craft, navigation, teamwork and cooking, reflecting the increased challenge of the Silver level.

The students work throughout the year on their Skill, Physical and Volunteering sections.

The Silver Practice expedition takes place in June.

The Silver Final expedition takes place in July.

The Silver award coordinator is Mrs I Gibb.


Gold

The programme for the Gold award is currently being reviewed.

Students in the Sixth Form will be able to take part in the Gold level of the award programme from September 2024.


Duke of Edinburgh's Award Updates


Extra-Curricular Activities