1 May 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we prepare for the Year 13 Leavers’ Ball this evening, we are reminded of what a significant milestone this is for our students. It is a celebration of their time here before they leave us for new and exciting destinations – universities, apprenticeships, employment, and adventures that will shape the next chapters of their lives. These students leave us having received an excellent education and a firm academic foundation. However, our ambition is always that they leave not only with strong examination results but that they also leave as confident, thoughtful, well‑rounded young adults. Mr Storey, the third Headteacher of Durham Johnston said in 1947 “What the future holds no one can exactly say… [but the students at Durham Johnston]… will take to heart the school’s motto and courageously seek for wisdom, and the world will be a better place because of their presence in it”. As we watch this cohort of Durham Johnston students take a big step into their futures and with all that is going on in the world today this sentiment feels especially true.
During their time at Durham Johnston, out student have benefitted from a wealth of experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. From academic challenge to sporting success, from musical excellence to leadership opportunities, from community engagement to the friendships that have shaped them, their time here has been rich, demanding, joyful, and transformative. These experiences ensure that they do not simply leave with qualifications, but with the character, resilience, and compassion needed to be good citizens and to make their mark in the world.
With perfect timing as I’ve been thinking about this, today I received an email from a member of the public who had been visiting Durham. This email captures perfectly what we hope our students become:
“My wife and I have just returned from a very pleasant trip to Durham.
Whilst walking around the City, we witnessed a number of your students going about their day to day activities as well as their interactions with others, including us.
Without exception, every one of these young adults were noticeably polite, courteous, respectful and with good humour to a degree that has prompted us to write this brief message to express our very positive feedback. Durham Johnston School is a credit to the City.”
We are very proud of all our students. We firmly believe that education is more than simply academic achievement, and we invest a great deal of time in helping our students grow into responsible, considerate citizens. It is genuinely reassuring to hear that this work is visible beyond the school gates and that the values we nurture are being carried with them into the wider community. We hope you share our pride in all they have become, and all they will go on to achieve.
Thank you for your continued support and I wish you all a lovely, sunshine filled bank holiday weekend.
Mrs McFadden
SEND Clinics
We hold SEND online clinics every month for parents to meet with a member from the learning support team to discuss any area of their child's learning or development. The aim of the clinic to identify the most appropriate support which may be signposting to external support. The next clinic will be held online 8th May between 8.30- 11 am. If you would like to make an appointment to talk with a member of school staff, please contact Mrs Sangster who will arrange this for you via learningsupport@durhamjohnston.org.uk.
GCSE Business
Our Year 10 GCSE Business students have been learning about effective training and coaching. Last week we focused on specific skills and training - to consolidate this some of our Year 10s became "trainers" and the rest became the "trainees". This is a great way for students to link the concepts to real-world examples and to get an insight into how new skills are learnt.
This week we have been taught how to say some simple phrases in Bulgarian, perform an around the world, spin bowl, draw and shade the human eye, and one bounce. I think we all realised that more often than not skills come with practice and hard work!
Really impressed with the coaching styles of our Year 10s - some modelled, others explained, some did both and all showed a real aptitude for teaching. The encouragement and patience showed by the trainers was superb - well done Year 10.
Miss Forbes
Subject Leader for Business & Computing
PE News
Last Friday our Year 7 football team hosted Emmanuel College in a Tyneside and County Cup double semi-final. This was a very close game which ended 1-1. Penalties were needed and we held our nerve to win the shootout thanks to 3 great saves from Xander B. That meant they progressed to 2 finals. Joint POMs for a solid defensive display by Arlo N and Logan R.
On Monday our Year 7 & 8 dodgeball teams travelled to Acklam Grange School for friendly matches. Our Year 7 team won an excellent match 8-4 and our Year 8 team lost by the same score. This was excellent preparation for our Year 8 team who have qualified for the national finals which take place in Kettering in June.
On Tuesday our U13 girls’ handball team had an early start as they travelled to Leeds Beckett University for the north-east regional finals. We played some outstanding handball to win all our games comfortably to become regional champions. They now progress to the national finals in June.
Some of the girls then made the journey straight to Washington football hub to play in the U13 County Cup football final. We faced St Joseph's who have a football academy linked to the school. We started well and had chances to take the lead but unfortunately conceded goals late in the first half to go in 2-0 down. We never gave up and scored two excellent second half goals, but they proved too strong, eventually winning 6-2. A great achievement to finish runners-up in the county.
Also on Tuesday, our Year 9 boys’ team were at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland taking on Sedgefield in the Bishop's Cup Final. Despite going 1-0 behind in the first half we fought back to secure a deserved 3-1 win to become champions. POM was Dylan F who scored 2 goals.
On Wednesday our U18 boys’ cricket team took on Yarm School in the northeast semifinal of the National Cup. We batted first and scored 149 runs in our 20 overs. We then produced an outstanding bowling performance to bowl them out for only 37 runs in 9 overs. We now qualify for the national stages and play Parkview Sports Academy next week in the northeast final.
Also on Wednesday, our Year 8 boys’ football team hosted St John's in a League and Cup double game. We controlled the game playing some excellent football on our way to a 3-1 victory. POM was Matthew H who scored one of our goals.
Yesterday it was the turn of our U15 girls’ handball team to travel to Leeds for the regional finals. They also produced some outstanding performances following our U13 girls in winning the competition and qualifying for the national finals in June.
During the afternoon our Year 7 boys’, Year 8 boys’ and U13 girls’ cricket teams all travelled to Barnard Castle for friendly matches. This was an excellent afternoon of cricket played in perfect conditions. Everyone had a great time playing some competitive cricket in preparation for the County Cup which follows soon.
All day yesterday our Year 10 vocational PE leaders were at Meadowfield leading a primary school mini-tennis event. They received many compliments on their behaviour, professionalism and acted as excellent role models for the younger children.
After school our Year 9 boys’ football team hosted Queen Elizabeth School, Hexham in the Tyneside cup semi-final. We dominated the game with a great team performance winning 8-1. POM was Lucas M.
Also after school our Year 7 boys’ football team were at the Washington football hub for their County Cup final. We faced a very strong Monkwearmouth team and despite a battling performance and a fantastic goal from Arlo N we lost 5-1. They still have two more cup games next week to complete a busy season
Good luck today to our Year 7 boys’ cricket team who face Castleview School, Sunderland in a friendly, and also our Year 10 boys’ football team who are at Maiden Castle for the County Cup final. They have already made history as the first Durham Johnston team to reach this final, and are hoping to go one step further tonight and lift the trophy.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
