5 June 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
Effective partnership between home and school is one of the most powerful tools we have to support our children. To make this partnership even stronger, we survey parents in order to gather your views on the school. We have done this via large surveys in the past, but would like to change to sending out more regular short surveys to all parents and carers. These surveys will generally have a single focus on a specific area such as communication, wellbeing, curriculum or school events. They should be quick to complete, with just a few questions each time, so we can gather as many views as possible to build a full picture of what is working well and where we can improve. These regular surveys will help parent voice become a continuous part of our decision‑making process.
The first of these surveys is available via Class Charts tonight. It is on safeguarding, as this is an essential foundation on which everything else builds.
Our hope is that through more regular communication and feedback we can work together to achieve the very best for every child in our community. Your insights will help us celebrate strengths, identify priorities, and make informed choices that reflect the needs of all of our families. We want to ensure that our school is inclusive and continues to develop in ways that reflect the needs of all of the diverse students, families we serve in our community, therefore we would like to encourage as many parents and carers as possible to complete the survey.
Your feedback is really important to us; it helps our continual aim to improve our practice and ensure all students within our care achieve the best possible experience here at Durham Johnston. Thank you for helping us build a school community where every voice matters, and every child can dare to be wise.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs McFadden
Year 7 Virtual Parents’ Evening
We are holding a Parents’ Evening via video conferencing software for Year 7 on Monday 15th June, between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. The software we use is provided by SchoolCloud and you will be able to register and make appointments using this link:
To register and to make an appointment you will need the following information:
- Your title, as held on the school system – i.e. Miss, Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr, etc…
- Your surname, as held on the school system.
- The date of birth of your child.
The appointment system will be accessible from 12.00pm on Monday 8th June and will close at 12.00pm on Thursday 11th June. We will send reminders via SchoolCloud to you of these times when bookings open and during the booking period if you haven’t made appointments.
One person should make the appointments but can then invite others if, for example, two parents or carers are not in the same physical location.
The system also allows you to turn on messaging during the call and send text-based communication if this helps.
You can join the parents’ evening on any internet enabled device, for example a smartphone, tablet or computer. You can find out how to make and attend appointments via video call by following this link. Where possible we would advise people to use the latest browser and operating system on their device.
Appoints will be 4 minutes in length and you will be able to speak with one of the teachers of your child for the majority of their subjects.
The appointments will allow you to focus on the specific steps your children need to take between now and the end of the academic year to ensure their success.
For some staff, due to the volume of Year 7 students they teach, it isn’t possible for them to see every family. Please attempt therefore to limit your appointments to those subjects you’re particularly interested in.
We look forward to seeing you,
Mr Simpson
Associate Assistant Headteacher, KS3 Lead
Year 7 Languages Choices for Year 8 and 9
In Years 8 and 9, students study two languages, choosing from French, German, Latin and Spanish. A letter with more information and a link to the form to submit choices has been shared via Class Charts.
Please submit your child's options via the form by 9am on Friday 12 June.
Miss J Schwaiger
Subject Leader for Languages
Reminder: School Held Medicines
A reminder that before half term, we sent out an electronic consent form to parents and carers of students in Years 7-10 about administering over the counter (OTC) medicines in school to help students with pain, discomfort or to help with bites or stings. For example, if your child develops dental pain or a headache or is stung by a wasp or a nettle within the day. These OTC medicines are deemed ‘homely remedies’ – ones which families are likely to have in their home.
The link was emailed directly and also shared via Class Charts. Thank you to all those who have completed it already – we would be very grateful for all further responses as soon as possible.
Sparx Reader Scores
As we head into the final half term of the year, it’s time to have a look at our Sparx Reader Leaderboard. Congratulations to 7JW, 7RH and 8SW who top the charts! A special congratulations to 8SW, who top both the Sparx Reader Points and Completion Rate. A fantastic effort by all students!
A reminder to Year 7 and 8 that Sparx Reader is set and due every Tuesday, and students must complete 250 Sparx Points a week. This equates to 30 minutes of careful reading. Students can complete this at home or in The Reading Room Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday lunch and Monday-Thursday after school.
|
Sparx Reader Points |
Completion Rate |
|||||
|
7JW |
1st |
318,237 |
7RH |
1st |
95% |
|
|
7MK |
2nd |
228,438 |
7UA |
2nd |
95% |
|
|
7UA |
3rd |
227,473 |
7HH |
3rd |
90% |
|
|
7RH |
4th |
214,177 |
7JW |
4th |
89% |
|
|
Sparx Reader Points |
Completion |
|||||
|
8SW |
1st |
234,535 |
8SW |
1st |
90% |
|
|
8RH |
2nd |
193,091 |
8DA |
2nd |
85% |
|
|
8UA |
3rd |
192,900 |
8RH |
3rd |
82% |
|
|
8DA |
4th |
184,944 |
8CW |
4th |
81% |
|
Miss Bailey
English Department
Music Notices
It’s been a busy year in the music department, and as you can see below we have a number of events over the coming weeks. For all ticketed events, please visit TicketSource.
Music Festival
Thursday 26th, James Hall, free entry on the door
Class 1 (Grade 1-3) The Whinney Hill Music Cup 6.00pm
Class 2 (Grade 4-5) The Crossgate Moor Music Cup 6.45pm
Class 3 (Grade 6+) The Durham Johnston School Music Cup 7.30pm
This is a solo performance competition for students of all levels of ability. The Music Festival is an annual tradition, and the standard of performances is always deeply impressive. Students can pick up an entry form in the music corridor with all the information required outlined on the form.
Key Stage 3 Concert
Wednesday 1st July, James Hall, tickets available on Ticket Source (see above)
Our training orchestra, training choir, and a variety of KS3 soloists will perform in their own 'stand-alone' concert for the first time. A wonderful opportunity for our younger musicians to shine. Please come and support them.
Music for a Summers' Evening
Thursday 2nd July, @ DJ, free entry on the door
A relaxed opportunity for our Year 13 leavers to perform as soloists and in small ensembles one more time before they leave DJ, once their A level exams are all complete.
Wine, food and refreshments will be provided.
Orchestra at the National Music Festival
Saturday 11th July, Birmingham Symphony Hall
The orchestra have been invited to the National Music Festival! They are performing in the Symphony Hall during the morning session of Sat 11th July. Our performance time is specifically 11:20am.
Students will be transported by school on coach. Parents/carers are very welcome to come and support (it would be wonderful to have a 'home crowd' welcome our wonderful orchestra as they take to the stage. Moreover, we can't guarantee that our musical ensembles will be playing Symphony Hall Birmingham every year, so please do take the opportunity to see and hear your child play in one of the world's premier concert halls if you are able to. Tickets are available at this link.
Les Misérables
September 3rd-5th, James Hall, tickets available on Ticket Source (see above)
Tickets have been promoted within the cast, and as this term progresses, we will be promoting our forthcoming performances of Les Misérables more widely. However, tickets are on sale already online at the following address if you would like to get yours now. 'Les Mis' is going to be a big school event, and a superb musical and theatrical experience. Please support the amazing cast as they pioneer staging large musicals here at DJ.
Gabrieli Summer School
July 17th – 22nd, culminating in a performance at Ely Cathedral of Saul by Handel
Following on from the excellent contribution of senior choir to the staging of Vivaldi's Gloria in February, the Gabrieli organisation have offered 15 places to Durham Johnston this year on their prestigious Gabrieli Summer School. We wish them lots of luck, and are we are hopeful that this time next year we will be preparing to take 40-50 students to this wonderful event.
Glasshouse Concert Visits
October onwards
We are very grateful to Mrs Bothwell, who is to facilitate a new dimension for our students' music education next academic year - organised school visits to concerts at Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead).
These concerts will give our students the opportunity to hear artists such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and famed cello virtuoso Sheku Kanneh-Mason at significantly discounted prices for school parties. Tickets for such concerts sell out months in advance, so we are encouraging our young musicians, of any age, to collect a letter and reply slip from the Music Department and return it as soon as possible to secure a space.
Mr Howarth
Subject Leader for Music
Year 7 & 8 Charity Colour Run
Our annual Colour Run will take place during period 5 on Thursday June 25th, 2026. The event is open to Year 7 and 8 students only.
Students have been given a letter to bring home; please read the letter and sign the attached waiver form, if you agree to your child taking part. Please pay the £5 entry fee on ParentPay before the waiver is returned - there are enough places for everyone - we just need both things to secure a spot!
This is wonderful event in memory of a much loved colleague - we donate all proceeds to the Macmillan ward at South Tyneside hospital, who are such a worthy cause.
As always thank you for your continued support towards our charitable efforts - the staff and the Sixth Form team are really looking forward to making this a fun event for all involved.
Miss Forbes
Senior Teacher – the House System
PE News
On Monday we were due to play Yarm School in the U14 county cricket cup. Unfortunately, the pitch was waterlogged so it had to be re-arranged.
On Tuesday we hosted the Year 9/10 area rounders tournament. Both of our teams won their first matches but just as the second games started the rain came and the rest of the tournament had to be postponed.
Our Year 7 & 8 girls’ football teams travelled to Sedgefield for the final CVL of the season. Despite the heavy rain our girls played some excellent football as both teams beat Sedgefield. Our Year 8 team won the tournament after a close victory over our Year 7s.
Our Year 10 boys’ football team were at King James taking on Whitworth in the League Cup final. We struggled in the first half but after a Mr Atkinson team talk, we upped our game going on to claim the trophy with a 9-3 victory. Goals from Louis B, Angelos K, Cameron O and 5 goals from POM Malachi D.
On Wednesday, our U15 B & C boys’ tennis teams were at Egglescliffe School for league matches. They coped very well with the blustery conditions as our B team won 4-2 and our C team won 5-1.
Also on Wednesday, our Inter girls’ athletics team were at Middlesbrough Sports Village competing in the regional B final of the English Schools Cup. All the girls produced excellent performances in both the track and field events as we finished in joint third place. A great achievement.
The weather again forced the postponement of the Year 7 boys’ County Cup cricket match that was due to be played yesterday. However, tennis did go ahead as our U13 and U15 boys’ A teams travelled to Yarm Tennis Club for league matches against Yarm and Whickham Schools. This was an excellent afternoon of high-quality tennis. Our U13s beat Yarm in a close match but finished runners-up after losing to Whickham. It was also tight for our U15s as they finished third after losing 2 close matches.
Also last night, the football season finally came to an end as our Year 10 boys’ team took on Ferryhill in the Ben Potts Final. This was a close game as we came from 1-0 behind to lead 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. Unfortunately, we conceded again to take the game to penalties. Our penalty curse struck again as we lost 4-2 to finish runners-up.
Good luck today to our U13 girls’ cricket team who are at Washington CC competing in an Area tournament.
Also, good luck tomorrow to around 30 of our athletes who are Monkton Stadium representing Durham Central Area at the County Championships. Hopefully we should have some County Champions to celebrate next week.
Finally, a reminder to our Year 7 students who are off to Malaga for our sports trip to set their alarms ready to meet at school for 2.30am on Monday morning. Hopefully they are all looking forward to what should be an amazing week of sport in the sun. Don't forget to follow the trip on the PE Instagram.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin: