Welcome to Barney

Whether you are a current family, a former pupil, or you are just discovering Barnard Castle School for the first time, welcome.

This website offers a glimpse into what makes Barney so special: a school grounded in community, shaped by character, and driven by ambition. But no website can fully capture the energy in our classrooms, the warmth of our boarding houses, the laughter shared between year groups, or the friendships that last a lifetime.

We are proud to be a school where young people are supported to become both well-rounded and well-grounded. That means developing the confidence to lead and the humility to listen. It means learning how to work hard and how to bounce back when things don’t go as planned.

And while we take what we do seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. This is a place where good humour matters. Laughter is part of daily life, and we believe that enjoying school is a key part of thriving at school.

At Barney, we believe in the idea that you can grow. Abilities are not fixed. Talents can be developed, intelligence can expand, and progress often comes from getting things wrong before you get them right. This is a place where it is safe to try, to stumble, and to try again. That is how real growth happens.

Our purpose is clear. We exist to inspire ambition and build character within a down-to-earth, inclusive community.

We live by our motto ‘Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus.’ This means ‘when you are steeped in little things, you shall attempt great things safely.’

Every small moment matters here. And through those daily acts of kindness, effort and courage, something greater begins to take shape.