Extra-Curricular Activities

Tuesday

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

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

After School

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

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

After School

Thursday

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

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

After School

Friday

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

Year 7 & 8 Support (Homework/PC access) is available during first break (9.45-10) in IT1

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

After School

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:

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.  

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