The St John’s Hospital in Barnard Castle was founded in the 13th century by John Baliol, whose widow founded the Oxford College. By a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners, bequests under the will of Benjamin Flounders of Yarm were combined with the funds of the St John’s Hospital and public subscriptions to build and endow the present foundation in 1883. Originally known as the North Eastern County School, the name was changed to Barnard Castle School in 1924.
‘Barney’, as it is affectionately known, is a day and boarding school for boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18.
Organisation and numbers. There are 512 pupils aged 11–18 in the Senior School, of whom 110 are boarders. The Preparatory School comprises a Pre-Prep Department of 48 pupils between the ages of 4 and 7, and 132 pupils between the ages of 7 and 11, of whom 13 are boarders. (See also Preparatory School entry in IAPS section.) The Senior and Preparatory Schools are located on adjacent sites and operate separately on a day-to-day basis while enjoying the mutual benefits of being able to share a number of resources and facilities. Girls were first admitted in 1981 and the School has been fully co-educational since 1993.
Location. The School is situated on its own extensive grounds on the outskirts of an historic market town in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The area is well served by Teesside International and Newcastle airports as well as Darlington railway station. The School also operates its own bus service for pupils from a wide area.
Curriculum. This is designed to provide a broad, balanced and flexible programme, avoiding undue specialisation at too early a stage. In the Prep School, emphasis is given to literacy and numeracy skills, as well as Science, History, Geography, French (from age 8), Religious Education, Technology, Art, Music, Information Technology, Physical Education (including swimming) and Games. These subjects are developed further in the Senior School, with the addition of Latin or Classical Civilisation, Personal, Social and Health Education, and three separate sciences. German or Spanish is added at age 12, while Business Studies and Engineering increase the list of GCSE options at age 14. There are some twenty A, AS or Pre-U Level subjects, which give a wide choice in the Sixth Form. Almost all Sixth Form leavers go on to University or College courses. A Learning Support Department provides specialist help for those who need it in both the Preparatory and Senior Schools, and tuition is offered in English as a Second Language.
Religious Education. The School is a Christian foundation and the Chapel stands at the heart of the School in more than just a geographical sense. The School Chaplain, who plays an important role in the pastoral structure of the School, as well as being responsible for Religious Studies and Chapel worship, is an ordained member of the Church of England, but the School is a multi-denominational one which welcomes and supports pupils of all faiths and none. Pupils attend weekday morning assemblies in Chapel, and there is a Sunday service for boarders.
Boarding and Day Houses. There are eight single-sex Houses within the Senior School – three boarding and five day – each small enough for pupils to know each other well, but large enough to allow a mixture of interests, backgrounds and abilities, as well as opportunities for leadership. Housemasters and Housemistresses, each supported by a team of Tutors and Assistants, are responsible for the welfare and progress of each pupil in their charge.
Junior Boarders (boys and girls aged 7–11) and Senior Girl Boarders live in their own modern Houses in the School grounds, alongside their Houseparents, Boarding Tutors and Matrons. The two Senior Boys’ Boarding Houses have recently undergone a major programme of restructuring and refurbishment, and offer comfortable accommodation within the main building of the School. The resident Housemasters are supported by resident boarding tutors and matrons, and by the School Sister in the School’s Medical Centre. The School Doctor visits daily.
Cultural and other activities. The School has a flourishing music department in which the Chapel Choir, Orchestras, Wind and Jazz Bands and smaller ensembles perform regularly.
Drama is also prominent, with a regular programme of productions taking place throughout the year. There is a strong tradition of after-school activities; both day and boarding pupils take part in a wide range of clubs and societies, selecting from over 100 weekly activities.
Games. Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Athletics, Squash, Cross-Country Running, Tennis and Swimming are the main sports, and other options such as soccer, badminton, basketball and golf are available. The School has extensive playing fields, a modern Sports Hall, and Fitness Centre, squash and tennis courts, and a heated indoor swimming pool. A full-size, floodlit AstroTurf-style pitch is available for all to use. Regular inter-school matches are arranged at all levels.
Outdoor activities. There is a strong emphasis on providing instruction, opportunity and challenge in a wide range of outdoor activities. Much of this takes place under the auspices of a flourishing Cadet Force (Army and RAF sections) or The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Silver Award schemes.
Careers. There is a well-equipped Careers Room, and a team of careers staff work together with the Higher Education Coordinator to provide pupils at all stages of the School with expert advice and help in decision-making and application procedures.
Admission. Pupils are admitted at all stages via the School’s own Entrance Assessments. There is also direct entry into the Sixth Form subject to satisfactory performance at GCSE level. Details of the application procedure are obtainable from the Registrar (admissions@barneyschool.org.uk). Scholarships and Assisted Places. Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions are awarded to entrants to the Senior School at Year 7, Year 9 and the Sixth Form, on the basis of the School’s own entrance examinations held in February.
Music scholarships and exhibitions: There are two music exhibitions available in Year 7, a further two scholarships in Year 9 and in the Sixth Form.
Sport exhibitions based on potential are available at Year 7 and scholarships are available at Year 9 and in the Sixth Form. Four exhibitions may be awarded in Year 7, followed by up to four scholarships in Year 9 and a further two scholarships in the Sixth Form.
Art scholarships and exhibitions are available from Year 9 and in the Sixth Form.
Drama scholarships and exhibitions are available to candidates entering the Sixth Form.
Awards may be supplemented by means-tested Bursaries.
The School is also able to offer a small number of means-tested assisted places. Details are available from the Admissions Secretary.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School (Years 7–13): Day £7,150.80; Junior Boarders (Years 7–8): £12,862; Junior International Boarders (Years 7–8): £15,009.60; Senior Boarders (Years 9–13): £13,770.60; International Boarders: £15,930. Fees are inclusive of VAT and subject to annual review.
Charitable status. Barnard Castle School is a Registered Charity, number 1125375, whose aim is the education of boys and girls.
Governors & Staff:
The Governing Body:
Chair: Mrs C J Sunley
Vice-Chairs: Mr N Bliss; Dr J Elphick
Chair of Finance & Estates Sub-Committee: Mr I Moffat
Chair of Education, Welfare and Staff Development Sub-Committee: Mr M Allison
Chair of Strategy, Marketing & Development Sub-Committee: Mr E Rendall
Chair of Governance Sub-Committee: Dr J Elphick
Miss S Ali
Mr D Clouston
Mr P Hodges
Mr P Kelsall
Mrs K Marshall
Mr P Mothersill
Mr D C Osborne
Mrs L Rhodes
Councillor G Richardson
Mr D F Starr
Mrs D Vinsome
Clerk to the Governors: Mrs S Metcalf, BA, FCCA
Headmaster: Mr David Cresswell, MA
Second Master: Martin Pepper, BA
Deputy Head (i/c of Sixth Form): Fiona Beadnell, MA
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Carrie J Riley
Deputy Head (Academic): Niall O'Connor, BSc Ed Hons, MEd, PGDip
Registrar: Bronwyn Huddleston
International Registrar: Nicola Slater
Housemasters/mistresses:
Bowes: Janey Dolby, BA
Dale: Joseph Pickering, BSc
Durham: David Riley, BA Hons
Longfield: Peter Lavery, BA Hons
Marwood: Edward Midcalf , BSc
Northumberland: Barry Imms, BEng
Old Courts: Scott Edwards, BA
Tees: Henry W Fairwood, BSc
York: William Chaloner, BA Hons
Assistant Director of Studies: Mark D Robson, BSc, MEd
Heads of Departments:
Art: Kate Baptist, BA
Biology: Rebecca K B Gibson, MSc, BSc
Business Studies: Mr David White BA Hons
Chemistry: Mrs Carla Lavery, BSc
Classics: John D N Gedye, BA
Design & Technology: Alan M Beaty, BSc
Drama: Scott Edwards, BA
Head of Economics and ECT Coordinator: Mrs Isobel Dawson, BA Hons
English: Helena Langford, PhD
Geography: David W Dalton, MA
History: Huw Bradbury, MA
Maths: Ms Sarah Burnham, BA Hons
MFL: Helen D Kent, MPhil, BA
Music: Richard J Dawson, BA Hons
PE: Mrs Lesley Burgess, BEd
Physics and Computing: Christopher Butler, MSc, MA
Politics: Andrea J Campbell, BA
Psychology: Jamie Sinar, BSc Hons
Religioun, Ethics & Philosophy: Rachel Romano, BA Hons
SEN: Deborah Wafer, BSc Hons
Sport: Rachael S Masterman, MA, BSc
Teaching Staff:
Heather Appleby, BA Hons
Charlotte Bates, MA
Erin E Beaty, BA
Robert Briscoe-Smith, BSc
Dr Ian Butterfield, PhD, BSc
Will Chaloner, BA Hons
Lee Clough, BEd
Caroline Connor, BSc
Nick J Connor, BA
Anna Dias, BA Hons
Lee Dickson
Mrs Janey Dolby, BA
Andy M Dunn, MSc, MPhil
Henry Fairwood, BSc
Alan Fisher
George Ford, BMus Hons
Sarah Ford, BSc
Sam S Forsyth, BSc
Elizabeth Gorman-Tysoe, MA
Barry Imms, BEng
Martin Ince, BA
Olivia Isaac, BA Hons
Dawn Jackson, BA Hons
Adriana Longo, MA
Mrs Eleanor Lucas, BA Hons
Alan J Maude, BSc
Edward Midcalf, BSc
Chris Misiak, BA Hons
Fiona Norrie, BEd
Karen Pepper, BSc Hons
Joseph Pickering, BSc
Emma Purvis, LLB
Lorna Rawnsley, BSc
Caroline Riley, MA
David Riley, BA Hons
Mark Robson, BSc, MEd
Sarah Rothwell, MA
Emma Taylor, LLB
Katie Thompson, BA
Dawn Trevor, BSc
Ben C Usher, BSc
Rupert Vann Alexander, BA Hons
Emily Wilson
Combined Cadet Force:
Commanding Officer: Lt Col Caroline E Connor, BSc
SSI: Ben Harbottle
Medical Centre:
School Nurse: Mrs Bethan Cummins, BSc Hons
School Nurse: Mrs Suzanne Newbrook, BSc
School Counsellor: Mrs Emma Hickmans, PG Dip