If you want to make God laugh, plan something.
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Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Unlike some other British customs linked to 31st December – first footing, opening the backdoor and then the front door to usher out the old year and to bring in the new, not wearing black to avoid a death – New Year’s resolutions are still commonly made. If…
The Sunday Times' Comprehensive School of the Year 2019-20
As I noted on Friday 22nd November 2019, we are very proud to have been recognised as the 'Sunday Times' Comprehensive School of the Year 2019-20.' The following article is taken from the more detailed coverage published on Sunday.
Comprehensive School of the Year: Durham Johnston…
How Goes it With Our Children?
What is the value of education?
There has been a significant focus in recent years on the cost of education and it is apparent to all that education has been underfunded in recent years, to the extent that the majority of schools have struggled in some way. Teaching staff, resources and,…
Reducing The School's Carbon Footprint
Earlier this term I wrote about the number of conversations that I had with students regarding climate change and their desire to take action and to make a difference at school. This has been a reoccurring theme since the spring term. In March 2019, a small group of Year 7 students approached me…
So, I’d Like to Know Where, You Got Your Goats From
In early August we were approximately two thirds of the way through a (very) long journey from Durham to Vannes in Brittany. We chose to vary the music played in the car as much as possible out of a sense of fairness and to avoid squabbling. The shuffle function is a wonderful thing and, stuck in…
Northern Exposure
At the start of the summer holidays, I visited Berwick-Upon-Tweed. I have passed through on the way to Scotland on numerous occasions, but have never spent time in the town. One of my oldest friends and colleagues is from Berwick and we decided to spend a day visiting the touring Turner…
Headmaster Storey’s Clock Returns
Dr. Christopher Storey was Headmaster of Durham Johnston between 1942 and 1951. Born in Newcastle, he studied French at Durham University, before going on to complete a P.H.D at the University of Strasbourg. He taught in London, before moving back to the North East to become Durham Johnston’s…
A New Year, the New Deal
The start of any new school year is always approached by students with a combination of excitement and trepidation. Therefore, it is important to note that we have had a very good start to the new school year. I would like to welcome back all of our returning students and their families. Equally,…
14th June 2019- The Books That You Read As A Child Stay With You Forever
2 + 2 = ?
We have been discussing whole school literacy and oracy recently and thinking about how we can best encourage students to read for pleasure and to be
confident talking about their different subjects in class. If you think back to your own time at school, you will have had…
24th May 2019 - When It’s Done And All This Has Gone, Find A Feeling, Pass It On
The image above is from 1966 and it is the only photograph I have of my parents before they got married. In the picture my Dad is 18 and my mother is 16 and they seem completely oblivious to anything other than each other. My parents were married later that year and we gave them a framed copy of…
5 Years, What A Surprise
Year 11 have had a wonderful last day at the school and we will miss them. Five years has passed very quickly. Below are my comments from the Year Book that Mr Weaver and a dedicated group of Year 11 students worked tirelessly to produce.
I have a vivid memory you arriving as year 7 students…
What is the true cost of education?
If your wages decreased by 8% in real terms, what could you no longer afford to buy?
I was very fortunate to be appointed as Head Teacher of Durham Johnston in February. The interview process was very robust and I was asked a large number of challenging questions by governors, students and…