Boys - Northumberland House
Our daughter was moved to Barnard Castle School because she had been continually bullied at her previous school. She is so happy, settled in from day one without a backward glance, which makes us very regretful that we didn't move her at the first signs of trouble.
Mr and Mrs N Hardy
I have been involved with boarding within the School since I arrived in 2000 and was appointed as Housemaster in 2007. Newly married, my wife and I work together as House Parents, in order to create a family atmosphere. Mrs Beaty teaches English and is also a House Tutor. It is our aim that all of the boys within our care are happy and confident within themselves so that as a result they are able to reach their full potential. We live within the main school building with Dixie, our cocker spaniel –who many boys love to walk or play with, and operate an open door ethos that gives the boys in our care any contact or help that they may require.
Northumberland House came into existence on 2nd February 1886 when the incomplete school buildings were first employed as boarders’ accommodation. At the time there were only 116 boarders, all of whom were boys, although this number rose to three hundred by the turn of the last century.
The name Northumberland (or North’ for short) was chosen because originally only boys from Northumberland were placed in the House, whilst those from Durham and Yorkshire went into Durham and York Houses respectively. The crest on our House Flag and Shield reflect our connection with the County of Northumberland – it is that of the 12th Century Earl of Morpeth, the Duke de Merlay III.
In 2009 the House system changed to make Northumberland an all through house taking boys from 11-18, like York House. The School provides us with excellent facilities; the recently completed renovation programme means our accommodation is among the finest in the country. The younger boys share in rooms of three or four to help them make friends. Boys in Y10 and Y11 share double study bedrooms whilst the Sixth Form get their own study bedrooms. The boys have access to the internet, squash courts, Music School, the Sports Hall, the Astroturf and the Swimming Pool (supervised) as well as to our extensive grounds.
Outside of school time there are over 80 different activities available as well as a number of trips and visits throughout each term and at the weekends. In a typical year our boarders visit Wet n’ Wild, attend cinema & theatre trips, watch Middlesbrough and Sunderland FC & the Newcastle Falcons, go Ten Pin Bowling, visit York, Leeds and the seaside, tour the Black Sheep Brewery, enjoy afternoon tea and go shopping at the Metro Centre. The House has 8 tutors, two matrons, an assistant Housemaster and a Housemaster. This team of adults works together with the Senior Boys (Monitors) to ensure the House runs smoothly and that all prep is completed and rules kept.
Northumberland House is a busy, noisy, vibrant place. Its location in the centre of the main school building means it is, at times, the very heartbeat of the School. We are proud of our history and our current achievements and we would be delighted to welcome anyone to look around our House.
Contact Details
Alan M Beaty
Housemaster
Northumberland House
Barnard Castle School
DL12 8UN
Tel: 01833 696004
Fax: 01833 638985 (office hours only)
northhouse@barneyschool.org.uk
