A rower hailing from Northumberland relocated to a different school to vie for a position in one of the North East’s most ancient boat clubs, all the while pursuing a prospective career in Law, courtesy of a transformative scholarship.
Ed Dando, from Hexham, is now coached alongside some of the strongest competitive rowers at Durham School Boat Club (DSBC) having been awarded a Sixth Form place at the independent school through its Burkitt Scholarship programme.
The teenager, who travels most days by school bus from Corbridge and also makes use of the flexible boarding facilities when training before school, said the move gave him the confidence to row at a more senior level. He now trains up to six days a week, both on the river and in the school’s fitness suite.
“I started rowing about three years ago, but I knew I wanted to take it more competitively and at Durham the coaching is really good,” said Ed, 17. “When I first joined, I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up with other rowers at such a high level, but the coaching staff are constantly encouraging me and have given me confidence in my ability. While I’m not physically the strongest person, they’ve taught me to focus on the strengths I have to improve.”
DSBC was founded in 1847 and is one of the oldest clubs on the River Wear, located near Prebends Bridge. Pupils from the school have gone on to represent Great Britain at Junior, University and Senior World Championships, as well as Commonwealth and Olympic regattas.
Recent successes include Junior 16 pair Jannik Fachat and Nikkels Pieper, who collected bronze medals at both the British Championship and the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, and Alice Bradley, who last year was awarded a full scholarship to row at Michigan State University. Former pupils Charlotte Von Bockelmann, Henning Koencke, and Johanna Debus, from Germany, have all gone on to represent their home country in international rowing competitions, as has Old Dunelmian Valentin Suter, from Switzerland.
“He has grasped the opportunity to further his rowing and is training up to six days a week in preparation for a busy fixture list of regattas and competitions,” he added. “His commitment to the sport is truly admirable.”
Eddie Bryant, Durham School’s Director of Rowing, said Ed trains alongside some of the region’s top rowers
Ed is taking A Levels in Geography, Business and Economics and aspires to be a lawyer. He is a trained Peer Mentor, providing support to other pupils across the wider Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation (DCSF), made up of Chorister School and Durham School.
“It’s nice to give something back to the school by helping others,” said Ed. “The school has really developed me as a person… it’s a community here.”
Ed is one of more than 200 young people from across the North – from Northumberland down to North Yorkshire – who have been given the chance to study at Durham School Sixth Form on a Burkitt Scholarship, which offers support of up to 100 per cent fee remission.
The Burkitt Award made the school accessible to Ed’s family.
He is thoroughly embracing the school ethos and values, and getting involved in many aspects of the school life.
His mother, Lisa Dando
“Everyone that Edward has contact with has treated him with respect and kindness making sure he works hard to get the very best experience of this wonderful opportunity.”
DCSF’s wider bursary and scholarship programme has benefitted some 420 families. Around 1 in 7 pupils at DCSF attend on means-tested bursaries.
“Bursaries at Durham Cathedral School Foundation are truly transformational. This financial assistance nurtures talents, promotes diversity and supports the development of the future leaders of society.”
Andrew Beales, DCSF Development Director
The importance of the bursary scheme is recognised in DCSF’s ‘2023 Social Impact Review’, an extensive report that measures the impact the Foundation has regionally, nationally and internationally. The report also highlights DCSF’s many academic, cultural and sporting partnerships.
Over the last year, more than 250 young people, aged between nine and 17, have accessed academic workshops led by DCSF staff, while 14 partner schools were involved in DCSF-led activities. On a weekly basis, 24 community groups access the Foundation’s facilities while more than 500 young people from County Durham learn to swim in Durham School’s pool.
