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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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