Poole

Poole House, situated slightly apart from but conveniently close to the main school buildings, is one of the three Houses for boys at Durham School. It currently caters for just over 100 boys and its quiet location is particularly suitable for our boarders of whom there are around 60. Some of these are part-time or weekly boarders who live no great distance from the School, while others are full-time boarders, mostly from overseas. Poole House dates back to 1924 and is named after Robert Henry John Poole, a former pupil and Second Master of the School from 1909 until 1923.

There is a resident Housemaster in overall charge of the House, a Junior Housemaster who is in charge of the pastoral care of the boys in Years 7, 8 and 9, an Assistant Housemaster in charge of Years 10 and 11 and a resident House Matron who looks after the domestic side of House life and is a valued member of the pastoral team.

Mr D Reith, MA (Oxon), MA Lit, PGCE, NPQH

Housemaster

Mr Reith took up his post as Housemaster of Poole House in September 2012. Educated at Glenalmond and Exeter College, Oxford, he has degrees in Classics and in English Literature, and a PGCE from Roehampton. In his career in education, Mr Reith has co-ordinated Higher Education, learning and teaching, staff welfare and professional development, and has been a Head of English, a pastoral leader and a Housemaster. He has also sat on two governing bodies, one as Chair of Governors, and has run an educational training company specializing in the all-round development of secondary school pupils. In 2012, he was awarded the National Professional Qualification for Headship. He enjoys football, golf, chess and skiing as well as literature and the theatre. He is married to Annalisa, a professional actress, theatre director and drama teacher, and has two children in the senior school.

Mr M Younger, BA, PGCE (Sunderland)

Assistant Housemaster

Born and bred in Durham, Mr Younger went to secondary school in Chester-le-Street and studied Illustration and Design at Sunderland University where he graduated in 2001. Thereafter he took his PGCE (also at Sunderland University) and also undertook some freelance design work. In the second year of his PGCE course Mr Younger coached football and helped with outdoor activities at Pelton Roseberry Primary School in Chester-le-Street. In his first year at Durham School Mr Younger was resident House Tutor in Poole House, was appointed to the position of Junior Housemaster in September 2004 and Assistant Housemaster in September 2009. He is a keen Newcastle United supporter and loves most sports.

Mr A Smith

Junior Housemaster

Mr Smith joined Poole House as resident tutor in September 2011 and was appointed to the position of Junior Housemaster in November 2012. Mr Smith was born in North Shields and attended Whitley Bay High School. He progressed to Durham University and graduated with a degree in Physics in 2010 before completing his GTP at Sunderland University. Mr Smith is heavily involved in sport and has represented Northumberland in the Minor Counties Cricket Championship. He also played rugby for Northumberland as a junior and captained his college 1st XV while at Durham University. In his spare time Mr Smith enjoys watching most sports and is a huge Newcastle United fan.