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 RJ 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 became Housemaster of Poole House in September 2009. He is an avid Glasgow Rangers supporter and enjoys football and golf.
Assistant 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, 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.
Junior Housemaster
Mr MF Burke BSc (Leeds) PGCE
Mr. Burke hails from St. Helens and as such is an avid Rugby League fan. He crossed the Pennines to study Biology and Physiology at the University of Leeds. He then moved north to complete a PGCE at Newcastle University and joined the Biology department at Durham School in 2005. Mr. Burke is currently Head of Biology and can also be found on top ground coaching rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer. Mr Burke took up his post as Junior Housemaster of Poole House in September 2009.
Resident Matron
Miss Helen Wood
The Houses
next event
Form 4 Parents' Evening
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Testimonials
"When you join the school, you get a buddy who is there to help you around the House and she is just like a big sister. I found that I soon made friends with all the other girls in MacLeod and many of the Pimlico girls. So settling in was not as scary and hard as I thought it would be - it was actually quite fun!
"
Emily Phillips (MacLeod, Year 9)