O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1

2 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l

W h e n y O u a r e S t e e p e d i n l i t t l e t h i n g S , y O u S h a l l S a f e l y a t t e m p t g r e a t t h i n g S . . .

Welcome

if you were to ask a Barnard Castle parent why they chose this School for their

son or daughter, they would tell you that children here are happy, balanced and

successful. here we know that a formidable all-round education and a sense

of fun should go together and we believe that when children are happy and

secure, they can achieve great things.

At Barnard Castle we want our girls and boys to lead successful and fulfilled

lives. We want them to discover and develop passions, skills, knowledge and a

love of learning that will remain with them. We want them to feel part of our

community and, with its support and encouragement, to take pride in their

very best efforts, to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to

understand that each one of us has a duty to our neighbour.

I hope that these pages give you a flavour of Barnard Castle, but nothing is a

substitute for actually experiencing it so i hope that you too will join us for a

warm Barney welcome in the near future. i look forward to seeing you.

Alan Stevens

headmaster

4 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 5

Opening doors

With its roots in John Balliol’s thirteenth century hospital close to the

School’s present site, the modern Barnard Castle School was established with

the addition of a generous legacy from Benjamin flounders and opened its

doors in 1883. Since then it has been opening doors for boys and girls from all

over Britain and the world.

‘Barney’, as it is affectionately known, has established a strong reputation for

academic success, sporting excellence and musical achievement in a vibrant,

unpretentious and caring environment.

Situated in stunning rural teesdale and set it its own extensive grounds,

Barney enjoys an enviable location which allows girls and boys to combine

the pleasures and pursuits of rural life with links to world-class centres

of business, industry and higher education. Quite simply, it is an idyllic

environment in which children can grow up without many of the pressures of

contemporary urban life.

as a close-knit and friendly community, Barney nurtures a family

atmosphere with strong pastoral care, enabling girls and boys to realise their

true potential and eventually to go on to make their mark with all of the good

judgement, confidence and team spirit that they have taken from their School.

6 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 7

8 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 9

Inspiring minds

The exceptional quality of teaching at Barnard Castle School is reflected

in excellent examination results, but these are borne out of an easy, open

and respectful relationship between our teachers and children. that

relationship, in the hands of passionate, skilled teachers gives our boys and

girls a formidable academic edge.

for our most able pupils in Senior School we offer enrichment programmes

in academia, sport, art and music. for those who need to consolidate a topic

or whose confidence needs to be bolstered, we offer Learning Support and

subject-specific tutorials as required without charge.

at Barney, no-one is left behind.

“ t e a C h e r S S h O W g r e a t C O m m i t m e n t t O t h e i r p u p i l S ’ p r O g r e S S ”

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011

1 0 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1 1

Living values

Our values guide daily life here; they are embedded in our Christian

foundation and our medieval heritage. they provide a common purpose

for everyone in our community and we take pride in the fact that not least

among them is Enjoyment.

a commitment to leadership, service, friendship and success lie at the

heart of Barnard Castle and we have as our core values:

endeavour – Community – integrity – enjoyment – Compassion – duty

never have these been so important to the future of our nation and so

central to School life as we continue to attract both local, regional and

overseas pupils from different cultures and religions.

at Barnard Castle we strive to create a dynamic and talented community,

where children can learn from and with each other and appreciate the

diversity of human nature.

“ W e f e e l t h a t O u r C h i l d r e n e n J O y B e i n g k n O W n a S i n d i v i d u a l S . t h e

i n t e r e S t t h a t t h e S t a f f t a k e i n t h e e n C O u r a g e m e n t , d e v e l O p m e n t

a n d S u p p O r t O f t a l e n t W i t h i n O u r C h i l d r e n i S f i r S t - C l a S S ”

Christopher and Sallie-Anne Morrill

1 2 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1 3

1 4 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1 5

Thriving community

We value individuality in our boys and girls and this is also reflected in our

houses, each of which has its own character.

Whether joining us as a day or boarding pupil, all girls and boys will be

guided and supported by outstanding pastoral care. the Chaplain is also

always on hand and the Sixth form run a highly successful peer support

network, emphasising that every member of our community has a duty to

support each other.

at Barney the gifted individual, the grafting enthusiast and the team-player

can flourish. Music and drama thrive and the Chapel Choir has a reputation

that reaches far beyond teesdale. yet alongside these and our major sports

there is also plenty of room for those who want to spend time fencing,

building model railways, playing lacrosse, debating, shooting, dog-walking,

learning cross-stitch, exploring the solar system and a host of other pursuits

in which girls and boys can engage with the innocence and curiosity of

children who are allowed to grow up at their own pace.

“ t h e Q u a l i t y O f t h e p u p i l S ’ p e r S O n a l d e v e l O p m e n t i S O u t S t a n d i n g ,

p r O m O t e d B y t h e e x C e l l e n t Q u a l i t y O f r e l a t i O n S h i p S W i t h i n t h e

S C h O O l C O m m u n i t y a n d t h e f i r S t - r a t e C a r e S h O W n f O r t h e m B y a

h i g h l y d e d i C a t e d S t a f f . ”

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011

1 6 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1 7

Sporting excellence

Barnard Castle School has developed a national reputation for boys’ and

girls’ sport.

as we endeavour to educate and develop the whole person, sport has

an important place in School and in the curriculum. all boys and girls

are introduced and coached by experts in a range of team sports. Our

reputation is not confined to one discipline and the School enjoys regular

competitive success in rugby, hockey, cross-country, football, lacrosse,

swimming, netball, cricket, athletics and squash. Our boys and girls have

achieved county, regional and national representative honours in a range

of disciplines and many continue to do so after they leave School.

Our aim for all girls and boys is to guide them in their development,

encourage them to enjoy sport, to value playing as a team and to

maintain the discipline of sport as part of their life after leaving School.

“Our tOp ClaSS COaChing and exCellent faCilitieS prOvide the BaSiS

fOr Spirited COmpetitiOn at all levelS and fOr all aptitudeS, With

pupilS experienCing a Wide range Of SpOrt.”

Martin Pepper, Director of Sport

1 8 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 1 9

2 0 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 2 1

Building confidence

it takes courage to dive in, but that is exactly how we ask our girls and boys

to approach each of the challenges and opportunities that comes their way

here. Whether it is preparing to give a speech at a formal lectern Club dinner,

taking a lead role in the latest drama production, pushing the boundaries on

a CCf expedition or mentoring a younger pupil, we want all of our children to

develop competencies and talents to take them beyond the classroom.

through activities such as the Combined Cadet force, the duke of

edinburgh’s award Scheme, peer Support, a highly active Sixth form

executive Committee and many others, Barney pupils learn to listen, lead

and assert themselves confidently with a light touch.

A pervasive sense of duty and altruism is reflected not only in our girls’

and boys’ helpfulness towards each other and to visitors, but they also

regularly raise over £10,000 each year to support a range of uk and overseas

charitable causes of their own choice.

2 2 B a r n a r d C a s t l e S c h o o l O u r e t h o s a n d v a l u e s 2 3

Investing for the future

Our preparatory School establishes a foundation for life and the Senior

School builds upon it the skills, knowledge and good judgement that our

girls and boys need as they prepare for life beyond the classroom and the

innumerable challenges of the modern world.

Our Careers and higher education team is supported by an active network

of over 10,000 former pupils in more than 30 countries, representing a

full spectrum of careers and business sectors. many Barnardians have

progressed to notable positions in industry, sport and government, the

armed forces, business and the arts and are ready to share their experience

and advice with the next generation.

“the SChOOl allOWed me tO learn tO COmmuniCate With all CharaCter

typeS, SOmething WhiCh haS helped me greatly in my WOrk aS a SurgeOn.”

Gunaratnam Shyamalan (1982 - 1992), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon