This year, Barnard Castle School Sixth Formers are celebrating another significant rise in achievement, with 33% of all grades awarded at A*-A, and 59% at A*-B, marking a strong three-year upward trajectory in academic performance. The 2026 results represent a particularly positive year for the broad entry School, with the proportion of A*-A grades more than doubling from 2023, alongside outstanding individual performances and excellent results across a broad range of academic and vocational subjects.
Barnard Castle School’s Head Boy, Sebastian Bowerman, gained A*AAA in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Latin, and aspires to become an astronaut.
“I’ve loved astrophysics from an early age,” said Sebastian, 18, of Darlington. “And I’ve always wanted to be an astronaut. As I have learnt more about the subject, my fascination has deepened.
“Becoming an astronaut is now my main dream. I have never been into science fiction but have always been interested in how everything works. I would love to get into space if possible and even explore Mars one day.
“That has been the strength of Barnard Castle School, not only do the teachers give you the knowledge, but they also make you believe you can achieve anything you want. So, for me, NASA is the ultimate dream. After all the moon exploration of the 1960s, it is great to see the renewed interest in space at the moment, which is very exciting.”
Karting star Joe Arnold now has his eyes set firmly on the Formula 1 grid after achieving his A Level grades.
The 18-year-old, of Cotherstone, gained A*AAA in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and will now read an M.Eng in mechanical engineering at University College London, one of the most highly rated learning establishments in the world.
“I just love cars and motorsport,” said Joe, who began karting competitively in Year 8. “I loved karting from the very first time I tried it. I’ve always been inspired by F1 Mercedes driver George Russell, and there’s nothing better than watching a close race.
“The dream is to become a race mechanic in Formula 1. There’s a lot of stress in karting, and I think I would thrive coping with the pitlane pressure of a grand prix.
“Being at Barnard Castle School has set me up well to cope with pressure and also helped me deal with winning and losing. I have played a lot of rugby, cricket, volleyball, tennis and golf with mixed success, which helps, and I think it will be great studying in London.”
For Spanish speaker Harriet Robson, getting the grades she needed will allow her to return to her beloved South America.
The 18-year-old learned to speak the language when she was seven and lived in Argentina for two years with her family.
She will now study Spanish and Economics at St Andrews University in Scotland after gaining ABB grades in Economics, Spanish and Mathematics.
“I really enjoyed living in Argentina and made lots of friends,” she said. “They helped me learn Spanish, and I helped them learn English.
“I loved continuing my Spanish at Barnard Castle School so wanted to take it on at university. I would also like to do something with economics and use my language skills by working abroad one day.”
Other notable successes include Ben Chuter A*A*AB, Lucy Harburn A*AAA* and Sophie Vickers A*AAA*, while many others have achieved outstanding results and are now preparing to take their next steps.
Deputy Head (Academic), Niall O’Connor said: “It is particularly pleasing to see our continued focus on academic ambition delivering such strong results, with this marking the third consecutive year of improved results since the disruption caused by COVID. This is a testament to the determination of our students and the dedication of the staff who have supported them. The School remains committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that every student is supported to achieve their academic and personal potential.”
Headmaster David Cresswell said: “We are immensely proud of this year’s students and their achievements. These results reflect their hard work, determination and the support of their teachers, families and the whole school community.
“Academic ambition is important to us, but so too is recognising that there are many different routes to a successful and fulfilling future. Whether our students are heading to university, into an apprenticeship, employment or pursuing another path, we want them to leave Barnard Castle School as well-rounded and well-grounded young people, with the character to meet life’s challenges, the ambition to make the most of every opportunity, and an instinct to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. Ultimately, we hope they are the kind of people others are better for knowing. This year group has embodied those qualities in abundance.
“We congratulate every student on their exceptional achievements and wish them every success as they take the next step in their life beyond Barney.”
