Barnard Castle School Prospectus 2013-2015_PrepSchool

p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l

2 B a r n a r d c a s t l e p r e p a r a t o r y 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

Barnard castle preparatory school is a happy and thriving iaps day and

boarding school for boys and girls aged 4 to 11.

from their earliest years children are encouraged to enjoy the learning

experience. the preparatory school, situated adjacent to the senior school

site, retains its own distinct character whilst drawing on the excellent

facilities of the wider school community.

We are committed to an education both in and out of the classroom, thereby

enabling the academic, artistic, musical and physical potential of each

child to flourish. The family of the School is a warm, caring and happy

one, where self-esteem and confidence are developed and grown. Our high

quality teachers have an excellent track record of preparing children for

life at senior school and beyond and we are proud of our extensive extra-

curricular activities programme.

Boarding at Barnard castle preparatory school is highly rewarding, made

popular by the full and flexi-boarding options that are available. The

enjoyable boarding experience further enriches the children’s time with us.

i hope that this prospectus will give you a feel for what we have to offer and

encourage you to visit us to find out more.

Carl Rycroft

headmaster

4 B a r n a r d c a s t l e p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l B a r n a r d c a s t l e p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l 5

A secure foundation for life

From their first day with us, children are encouraged to discover,

explore, create and practise their skills and knowledge in our secure

and caring environment. We foster an enthusiasm for learning that will

provide a foundation for life.

our broad and balanced curriculum is carefully planned and structured,

offering our youngest learners a rich and exhilarating experience. our

activities – both in and out of the classroom - ensure that learning is fun,

engaging and purposeful.

We nurture imagination and encourage creativity and our outstanding

pastoral care ensures that each child flourishes as they set out along

their learning journey.

“ t h e p r e p s c h o o l c a t e r s f o r e a c h i n d i v i d u a l ’ s n e e d s

a n d g i v e s c h i l d r e n a c o n f i d e n c e y o u W o u l d h a v e n e v e r

e x p e c t e d i n s u c h a s h o r t s p a c e o f t i m e . ”

Steve and Jo Riddell


Developing new interests, friendships and responsibilities

Building on the curiosities nurtured in the pre-prep, life in the prep school

encourages children to develop personal interests, establish new friendships

and evolve a burgeoning sense of responsibility.

in years 3 to 6, children are progressively taught by a number of specialist

teachers across a range of subjects, from music and physical education,

to art and science. children are also introduced to the house system

with strong and spirited house competitions in art, general knowledge,

handwriting, music and a whole host of sports.

“ a t t i t u d e s t o W o r k a r e e x t r e m e l y p o s i t i v e , W i t h p u p i l s h u r r y i n g

t o c l a s s , B e i n g p r e p a r e d t o s t a r t i n t h e t W i n k l i n g o f a n e y e ,

a n d a p p l y i n g t h e m s e l v e s W h o l e h e a r t e d l y i n l e s s o n s . t h e y s h o W

e n t h u s i a s m , W i l l i n g n e s s a n d e n j o y m e n t i n a l l t h a t t h e y d o . ”

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011


“ t h e o v e r a l l e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e e y f s

i s o u t s t a n d i n g ”


1 0 B a r n a r d c a s t l e p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l B a r n a r d c a s t l e p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l 1 1

Nurturing children’s independent learning skills

Benefitting from ideal class sizes, our children enjoy life in the

classroom. the excellent teaching staff ensure that learning is focused

and that each child is encouraged to do their best. a variety of teaching

styles is used to promote achievement and information technology is

integrated across the curriculum to support the learning process. the

children have access to laptops and interactive learning resources as

part of their classroom experience.

Working beyond the confines of the National Curriculum, pupils at the

prep school follow a subject based curriculum that embraces a range

of learning experiences. Specialist teaching by our well qualified staff

helps to foster the academic interests of the children.

We are keen that children become independent learners as they

progress through the school, enabling them to face the future with

confidence. Above all, however, we believe that learning should be a fun

and enjoyable experience for all.

“ t e a c h i n g i s e x c e l l e n t : d e t a i l e d p l a n n i n g , e x c e l l e n t

r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d s k i l f u l e x e c u t i o n o f l e s s o n s c o m B i n e

t o e n s u r e t h a t p u p i l s l e a r n s u c c e s s f u l l y a n d m a k e

e x c e l l e n t p r o g r e s s . ”



Achieving more than just academic success

music and drama feature prominently in school life. curriculum music

provides all children with the opportunity to develop talents and our choral

and instrumental ensembles provide the chance for children to collaborate

whilst performing in concerts or in the chapel.

there are three major drama productions each year ensuring that all

children are afforded the experience of taking to the stage. in addition

children regularly perform in assemblies and read in chapel, fostering the

children’s confidence to speak in public.

“ W i t h i n a s a f e a n d h a p p y e n v i r o n m e n t t h e n e e d s o f t h e

c h i l d r e n a r e v e r y W e l l m e t a n d f u l f i l t h e a i m s o f t h e s c h o o l .

e v e r y c h i l d i s t r e a t e d a s a v a l u e d i n d i v i d u a l . o u t c o m e s f o r

t h e c h i l d r e n a r e o u t s t a n d i n g . ”



“ W e h a v e t h r e e c h i l d r e n a t

p r e p s c h o o l a n d t h e y a r e a l l

q u i t e d i f f e r e n t , B u t t h e v a r i e t y

o f a c t i v i t i e s a n d t h e B a l a n c e

B e t W e e n e d u c a t i o n a n d o t h e r

o p t i o n s f o r t h e m s u i t s t h e m

d o W n t o t h e g r o u n d . ”

Ronnie and Jenny Barker


An activity programme enriching children’s experience

We benefit from excellent sports facilities and the children enjoy a varied

sporting programme, encompassing the major games such as hockey,

rugby, netball, football, rounders and cricket, as well as a wide range

of other sports from athletics to tennis. swimming is also prominent,

ensuring that the children make the most of our indoor swimming pool.

a number of our sportsmen and women have represented the school at

county, regional and sometimes national levels.

our exciting and engaging range of over 30 extra-curricular activities

ensures that the intellectual, artistic, musical, dramatic and sporting

ambitions of our pupils are met. the activity programme enriches the

educational experience beyond the confines of the traditional teaching

environment.

The children benefit from regular UK and overseas educational visits that

greatly enhance the learning process. recent trips have included visits

to paris and london, excursions to local historical and geological sites,

outdoor pursuits, seasonal pantomimes and overseas trips for skiing.

“ i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e s c h o o l ’ s a i m s , t h e s c o p e a n d v a r i e t y o f

t h e e x c e l l e n t c u r r i c u l u m i s B r o a d a n d B a l a n c e d f o r a l l p u p i l s

a n d i t i s c o m p l e m e n t e d B y a W i d e r a n g e o f h i g h l y e f f e c t i v e e x t r a -

c u r r i c u l a r a n d e n r i c h m e n t a c t i v i t i e s . ”



A supportive and understanding community

excellent pastoral care is at the heart of the school, with children

attending regular assemblies, chapel services and pshe lessons. the

care of each individual child is primarily the responsibility of the class

teacher and positive relationships exist between staff and pupils. the

‘Barney Way’ is to be kind, friendly, polite and respectful and this leads

to a warm atmosphere and a caring community.

parents receive a weekly newsletter to keep them informed about what

is happening at school. Written reports are produced for parents at the

end of each term and teachers are regularly available for consultations

about each child’s progress. the school is well supported by the ‘Barney

friends’, who facilitate good communication through the parent

network, welcome new parents to the school and organise a wide variety

of social events.

Parents are invited to attend School events such as sports fixtures,

concerts, chapel services, drama productions and speech day. the

school operates an open door policy, where parents are warmly

welcomed in and encouraged to be a part of their child’s education.

“pastoral care is excellent and pupils flourish in the supportive

and understanding atmosphere of the school.”



Living, working and playing together

at Barnard castle prep school we value the individuality of each and every

child and time spent at Barney offers many extraordinary opportunities.

underpinning all that we do are longstanding school traditions and

expectations ensuring our children uphold core values of endeavour, integrity,

duty, compassion and good manners in an enjoyable and caring environment.

the beautiful school chapel is the focus of the spiritual life of the school with

the children enjoying the weekly service led by the school chaplain. in addition

parents and friends of the school are welcome to join us for our major services

throughout the year. the school medical centre provides for the health needs of

the children and the high quality catering service ensures that a good, balanced

and plentiful menu is available at all mealtimes.

our prep school boarding community offers a ‘home from home’ experience

with children cared for by house parents, as well as a dedicated house matron.

With both full boarding and flexi-boarding packages available our boarding

house, old courts, is self-contained and ideal for our young boarders. in this

close knit community children can be assured of living, playing and working

together in an informal, yet structured and safe environment.

“Barnard castle prep school has not only fulfilled our expectations

academically, But has also provided lots of extra-curricular

activities to keep jasper Busy. he has thrived on the Busy sports

programme, met and Become friends With a large numBer of people

and taken part in virtually every after school cluB!”

Philip and Sara Metcalfe

2 2 B a r n a r d C a s t l e P r e p a r a t o r y S c h o o l B a r n a r d C a s t l e P r e p a r a t o r y S c h o o l 2 3

Looking forward

In preparing pupils for the transition to Senior School, we ensure that

each child develops a sense of independence as well as self-confidence.

Academically and pastorally, the children benefit from the close links

with the Senior School and its staff.

In our boarding community, children have the advantage of an integrated

environment throughout their time with us, with positive links with the

Senior School boarding houses.

“ W e W a n t C o l e t o B e h a P P y a n d h a v e t h e B e S t C h a n C e

a n d o P P o r t u n I t I e S I n l I f e : W e f e e l B a r n a r d C a S t l e

p r o v i d e S A l l o f t h e S e . ”

Gary and Stacey Tudor-Smith

B a r n a r d C a S t l e S C h o o l | B a r n a r d C a S t l e | C o u n t y d u r h a m d l 1 2 8 u n

Preparatory School: 01833 696032

admissions: 01833 696030

email: [email protected]

www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

Documents

Barnard Castle School Prospectus 2013-2015_PrepSchool