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.Housemaster
Mr MJ Bushnell, BSc (Swansea); PGCE
Mr. Bushnell gained his BSc (Hons) at Swansea University. After a year working for the Bank of England he took time out to do a PGCE at Manchester University. His first appointment was at Hartlepool Sixth Form College where he taught for two years before joining Durham School as a teacher of Economics in September 1990. In September 1993 he was appointed Housemaster of Ferens House (11-13) where he remained until September 1997 when he became Housemaster of Poole House. He is married to Jo who is a senior pharmacist for the N. Tees Primary Health Care Trust. They have three sons - Jacob, Nathan and Jonathan.
Junior Housemaster
Mr M Younger, BA, PGCE (Sunderland)
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 and was appointed to the position of Junior Housemaster of Poole House in September 2004. He is a keen Newcastle United supporter and loves most sports.
Assistant Housemaster
Mr Robert Duff, BEd Mus (NCE Aberdeen)
Robert studied Music in Aberdeen where he graduated with a BEd (Hons) Music degree in 1998. He taught at Tain Royal Academy, Ross-shire and then Cults Academy, Aberdeen, before taking a job as a pianist on a cruise liner in 2002. Robert joined the staff here at Durham School in 2004 and is married to Emel. He is an avid Glasgow Rangers supporter and enjoys football and golf.
Resident Matron
Miss Helen Wood
The Houses
next event
Senior School Play: A Revue
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Testimonials
"Since James has been at Durham School, we have noticed a dramatic change in his willingness to learn and listen. He has matured beyond our expectations. This transformation occurred within the first year at Durham School."
Mr Bryn Whyte