3 October 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last week we were reflecting on the beginning of a student’s secondary school journey with a Year 7 perspective; this week we been focussing on the end of stage 1 of that journey with our Year 11 students.
At the start of the year I spoke to all of our students about choices, and Year 11 are now approaching a pivotal point as they are about to make their biggest choice yet about their future. Whether they are dreaming of a future in science, business, health and beauty, construction, the arts or beyond, the next stage of their journey will start with a decision.
Some of our students will choose to progress to A-Levels. Currently at Durham Johnston, we offer the choice of 24 subjects, which means 10,626 different possible combinations for our students to choose (I couldn’t resist the chance for some maths). If you add in that many of those students then go to study at university and include course preferences, career ambitions, and personal interests… the number of pathways becomes virtually infinite! But writing like this makes it sound like it’s about chance; it’s not, it’s about strategy. Choices are not made in isolation, they are made with support, guidance, experience and vision. In assembly this week we have focussed on that support and have spoken to students about all of the options that are open to them post 16, including A-Levels, BTECs, work-based learning such as apprenticeships or T Levels, and how we will support every student this year to make the choice that is right for them.
For students who are considering A-Levels, we are pleased to welcome them and their families to our Sixth Form Open Evening this Monday night in school from 5-7pm. Students from Durham Johnston and other schools in the local area will have the opportunity to meet passionate subject specialists, discover our diverse curriculum, learn about our exceptional extra and super-curricular offers, and hear from current Sixth Form students who once stood exactly where they are now. In our outstanding Sixth Form we support students’ ambitions, whether that be to study Medicine at Cambridge, Engineering at Imperial, or History at Durham, providing structure, expertise, and inspiration. If they aren’t sure what they want to do post 18, our bespoke PHE programme will allow them to explore their options. We believe in empowering our students to make informed, ambitious, and strategic choices and provide them with exceptional opportunities to help them achieve their goals in a competitive national picture.
The start of every new adventure begins with a choice. One of the students in my Year 11 Maths class told me this week that he couldn’t decide what to have for lunch never mind what he wanted to do when he left school! And that’s why over the course of this year, all of our Year 11 students will receive support and guidance to help them make decisions that reflect not only who they are now, but who they want to become.
As for lunch, I recommend the gravy.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs McFadden
Year 7 and 8 Reading Challenge
This week we launched our “8 Before the End of Year 8” Reading Challenge to Year 7 and 8.
The English Department have selected a list of the most interesting and engaging 16 books from across a range of genres and authors. Year 7 and 8 are challenged to read 8 from the recommended list by the end of Year 8. For each book they read and review, they will receive a reading house point, and if they complete the challenge, a certificate and entrance to the prize draw. You can enjoy browsing our recommended list and reading the story summaries at home via this link!
Copies of all books can be borrowed from The Reading Room. Please ensure you have completed this form to agree to the borrowing terms to enable your child to use The Reading Room.
Miss Bailey
English Department
PE News
On Monday, our Year 8 boys’ football team travelled to Sedgefield for a league and County Cup double game. We started strongly and were 2-0 ahead at half-time. We then missed a second half penalty before Sedgefield fought back to level at 2-2. The league game therefore ended a draw and penalties were needed to settle the County Cup. We held our nerve to win and reach the next round. Joint POMs were Will S, Ethan G and Charlie K.
On Tuesday our U19 boys’ football team started their league campaign as we hosted St Leonard's. We dominated the game playing some excellent football on our way to a comfortable 5-0 victory. Harry C was POM.
Also on Tuesday, our Year 7 & 10 boys’ football teams hosted Whitworth. The Year 7 game was end-to-end with both teams having multiple chances. In the end we had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Joint POMs were James T and Fraser M.
The Year 10 game was a nine-goal thriller. The good news is we edged the game 5-4 with an outstanding team performance. Louis B was POM.
On Wednesday, our Year 9 boys’ team were in English Schools action against a very strong team from Monkwearmouth. We started slowly and were 2-0 at half-time. A much improved second half saw us pull a goal back. Unfortunately, while pushing for an equaliser, we conceded again to lose 3-1. Ollie VW was POM.
Yesterday was a busy day with football, netball, rugby and swimming.
During the day our swimming teams were at Sunderland Aquatics Centre for the north-east regional swimming finals. The best schools from the north-east and Yorkshire gathered for a high-quality competition. All our teams produced outstanding performances with our senior boys’ team looking particularly strong. We now need to wait to see if any of the teams had quick enough times to qualify for the English Schools national finals which take place in Birmingham on Saturday 15th November.
At lunch time our U13 boys’ rugby team travelled to Yarm for the county cup tournament. The standard was incredibly high, but we never gave up battling hard in all our matches. The highlight was an excellent victory against Barnard Castle. Also thanks to our referees, Tom B and Harrison G.
After school our Year 10 boys’ football team hosted St Aidan's in the English Schools Cup. We dominated possession but struggled to score in the first half. However, we eventually found our shooting boots, going on to reach the next round with an 8-2 victory.
To complete a busy Thursday, our Year 7 & 8 netball teams started their league season with home games against St Leonard's. Our Year 7 team were outstanding as we won 22-1. Our Year 8 team also dominated the game, securing a comfortable 32-7 victory.
Good luck today to our Year 8 boys’ football team who travel to Emmanuel College in the English Schools Cup. Also good luck to our Year 7 boys’ basketball team who are playing their first ever match - a friendly away at Dame Allan's.
Finally, on Sunday 13 of our athletes are heading to Sedbergh School, Cumbria to compete in the English Schools Fell Running championships. Hopefully we can bring news of some success next week.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
Sports Bulletin
