Extra-Curricular Activities

Tuesday

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

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Chamber Choir	MU3	Years 12 & 13	Soprano and Alto Sixth Form choir (auditioned)
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…
Business Support	BS2	Years 10 & 11
F1 in Schools	TEP/Gr1	Years 9 – 11
Food/Textiles/DT Support	GR2	Year 11
Music Support	MU3	Years 10 & 11	Extra support for those taking GCSE Music
Maths Support	MA7	Years 10 & 11	Foundation only
Scrabble Club	EN2	Year 9 - 11
English Drop-in	EN4	Year 11	11Y2a

 

After School

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Art & Design Drop in	AR1	All years	Drop in to make your own artwork or to complete homework with help
Basketball	PE	Year 7-13 Girls
Biology Drop in	SC6	Years 12 & 13	Bring independent work for support
Chemistry Support	SC4	Years 12 & 13
Chemistry Support	SC2	Year 11	Separates/Triple Scientists
CREST Science	SC5	Years 10 & 11
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 9 - 13	Open to anyone who would like to learn some Ancient Greek - complete beginners and those who have done a bit in the past.
Junior Orchestra	MU1	Years 7 & 8	Open to anyone who plays an orchestral instrument
Maths Support	MA2	Years 10 & 11
Maths Support	MA3	Years 10-13
Maths Support	MA8	Years 12 & 13
Technical Theatre Club	Drama Studio	Years 7 - 10
Japanese Club	LA6	Years 8 - 13
Vex Robotics	GR1	Years 8 & 9	Limited numbers – please see Mr Glover
Wind Band	James Hall	Years 9 - 13	Open to anyone in these year groups who plays a brass or woodwind instrument

 

Wednesday

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

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Art Club	AR1	Years 7 & 8	Places are limited to 25; students need to sign up
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
Scrabble Club	EN8	Year 7

 

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

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Business/Computing Study Support	BS1	Years 10 & 11
F1 in Schools	TEP/Gr1	Years 9 - 11
Maths Support	IT4	Years 9 - 11
Theory Club	MU2	Years 10 & 11	Help with music theory for those doing graded music exams
English Drop-in	EN7	Year 11	11Y1a

 

After School

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Basketball Club	PE	Year 7 - 13 Boys
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
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
Football	PE	Year 7 - 13 Girls
Indoor Cricket Training	PE	Year 7 & 8	4:00-5:30pm
Junior Choir	MU1	Years 7 & 8	Open to everybody
Maths Support	MA9	Years 10 & 11
Maths Support	MA7	Years 10 & 11	Foundation only
Maths Support	MA6	Years 12 & 13
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
Senior Choir	James Hall	Years 9 - 13	Open to everybody
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

 

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

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Aural Skills	MU1	Years 9 - 11	Help with aural tests for those doing graded music exams.
Computer Science Study Support	BS1	Years 10 & 11
Construction Support	GR1, TEP	Years 10 & 11
Engineering Support	GR1, TEP	Years 10 & 11	GCSE & Vocational
F1 in Schools	TEP/Gr1	Years 9 - 11
V&A Innovate Design Competition	AR1	Year 9	Students working in design groups taking part in the V&A Innovate Competition

 

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
CREST Science Superstars	SC12	Year 7	Starts 3pm
Drama Club	Drama Studio	Years 7 & 8	Only 30 spaces available
English Drop-In	English	Year 11	EN5 – 11X1a; EN1 – 11X2a & 11Y2b; EN7 – 11X2c; EN9 – 11Y1b
Japanese Club	LA4	Year 7
Maths Support	IT4	Years 7 - 9
Maths Support	MA5	Years 10 - 13
Newsletter Club	BS2	Year 8	Please see Mrs Lennon for more details.
Rugby Club	PE	Varies	Regular announcements via form tutors and PE notice board, will inform students (girls/boys) which year groups are training on which days.
Senior Orchestra	James Hall	Years 9 - 13	Open to anybody who plays an orchestral instrument
Physics Support	SC9	Year 11
French Support	LA7	Year 10

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	MA9	Years 7 &8

 

 

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
French Speaking Practice	LA2	Years 10 - 11
Translation Bee	LA7	Year 9

 

After School

Activity	Where?	Who?	Additional information…
Football Club	PE	Years 7 – 9 Boys
Maths Support	MA7	Year 10 - 11
Maths Support	TBC	Years 7 - 9	Will be based in a computer room.
Netball	PE	Years 7 – 13 Girls	Players will copy individual fixtures into their planners. Finish time for matches will vary due to opposition timings.
Rugby Club	PE	Varies	Regular announcements via form tutors and PE notice board, will inform students (girls/boys) which year groups are training on which days.

 

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!

AUTUMN 2024

School Christmas Concert (Part I): Wednesday 4^th December, James Hall, 19.00
Wind Band, Junior Choir and Junior Orchestra will take part, with final rehearsals taking place on Monday 2^nd December. Please purchase tickets in advance (check the ‘Friday Bulletin’ on the website to see when these go on sale).

School Christmas Concert (Part II): Thursday 5^th December, James Hall, 19.00
Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir and Chamber Choir will take part, with final rehearsals taking place on Tuesday 3^rd December. Please purchase tickets in advance (check the ‘Friday Bulletin’ on the website to see when these go on sale).

School Carol Service - Thursday 19^th December, Durham Cathedral, 13.00
Senior, Junior and Chamber Choirs and Senior Orchestra will perform.  All musicians except Junior Choir will meet in Cathedral at 09.30 for registration at front of nave. Junior Choir will arrive with their forms in time for the service.

SPRING 2025

Evensong: Monday 3^rd February, Durham Cathedral, 17.30
Chamber Choir sing Choral Evensong. Rehearsal in the quire at 15.45. All are welcome to attend the service. Please be seated by 17.15 and the service will be finished by 18.15.

GREATEST HITS Concert (Part I): Wednesday 2^nd April, James Hall, 19.00
Wind Band, Junior Choir and Junior Orchestra will take part, with final rehearsals taking place on Monday 31^st March. Please purchase tickets in advance (check the ‘Friday Bulletin’ on the website to see when these go on sale).

GREATEST HITS Concert (Part II): Thursday 3^rd April, James Hall, 19.00
Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir and Chamber Choir will take part, with final rehearsals taking place on Tuesday 1^st April. Please purchase tickets in advance (check the ‘Friday Bulletin’ on the website to see when these go on sale).

SUMMER 2025

Durham Johnston Music Festival: Thursday 26^th 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 3^rd 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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Duke of Edinburgh's Award Updates