Barnard Castle School

Daily life at Barney – as our school is affectionately known – is characterised by an inclusive, friendly family atmosphere where children feel part of a purposeful community and are able to excel both inside and outside the classroom. We promote a sense of pride, endeavour and tremendous fun within a nurturing environment, supported by first class facilities and resulting in an excellent academic record.

The school’s ethos of openness means that we welcome parents, former pupils and friends of the school to join our community, and we encourage families to visit us and experience for themselves our welcoming and happy atmosphere.

Our Purpose:
Through creating an inspirational, compassionate and unpretentious environment, we aim to develop young adults with character.

They are happy, confident, resilient, intellectually curious, tolerant and driven, with an undercurrent of humility, who are ready and prepared to face, embrace and lead in an ever changing world.

For this environment to be fostered, staff must feel valued and feel fortunate to work in such a school.

Our Ethos
Barnard Castle School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for girls and boys from the local area, throughout the United Kingdom and the world. Grounded in Christian values, we provide an environment where each child is nurtured and encouraged to develop to their full potential. We celebrate success within and beyond the classroom in a close community, bound by a spirit of endeavour, compassion and enjoyment in everything we do. We believe that girls and boys learn to live and work together best in an unpretentious, open and respectful atmosphere, as befits our school’s foundation and values.

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all, promoting academic rigour and the rewards of endeavour, the wonder of discovery and the richness that comes from an aptitude for life-long learning. Equally essential to the success of our girls and boys is the development of confidence, integrity, resilience and teamwork, which are learned in a range of sports and a wealth of cultural and co-curricular activities. Pupils also learn a sense of duty, selflessness and the importance of community.

Our nurturing environment ensures that every child will find her or his niche here and have the opportunity to embrace new challenges in an atmosphere of supportive encouragement. We believe in giving our pupils space to enjoy their childhood without pressure to grow up too quickly. As they progress though the school, pupils develop and exercise leadership in a caring, collaborative and dynamic relationship with their peers, teachers and house parents.

Our Aims
Barnard Castle School aims to:

• Promote the value of application, perseverance, initiative, independent thought and co-operation;
• Create an environment in which wellbeing is at the forefront of daily dialogue, and in which strategies are taught so pupils and teachers develop long lasting physical and mental health;
• Offer a broad curriculum in order to achieve knowledge, enjoyment of learning, and the acquisition of skills necessary to be responsible members of society;
• Encourage academic enrichment and the development of curiosity, teaching how, rather than what, to think;
• Ensure that each child fulfils their academic potential at each stage of their education;
• Promote a community which values honesty, mutual respect, enjoyment, service and good citizenship, placing an emphasis on leadership;
• Prepare children for the next stage in their lives, whatever that may be.

Our Values

To fulfil our vision and aims, and whilst it is important to be forward-looking, Barnard Castle School must continue to place the below values at the centre of any strategic planning. These values, which have been at the heart of our education since our inception in 1883, are:

• Community
• Endeavour
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Duty
• Enjoyment