Barnard Castle School recently returned from a highly successful visit to Germany, reinforcing its growing international community through a series of events in Munich, Berlin and Hamburg. Led by Headmaster David Cresswell and International Registrar Nicola Slater, the trip brought together Old Barnardians, current families, prospective families and partners in a celebration of connection, shared experience and global engagement.
Munich: A warm welcome in Bavaria
The first point of call in Munich was a series of valuable partner meetings, beginning with a visit to the Glasmacher offices, where Headmaster David Cresswell and International Registrar Nicola Slater were warmly welcomed. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up in person and reflect on our continued collaboration.
This was followed by a wonderfully enjoyable lunch with Dominique from Stanford and Ackel, whose continued support and partnership we greatly value. It was a pleasure to spend time together and further strengthen what is an important relationship for the School.
Later that evening, the focus turned to The Charles Hotel, where nearly 20 Old Barnardians and their families gathered for drinks. With some guests travelling more than three hours to attend, the strength and commitment of the Barney network overseas was immediately clear.
The evening provided a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces while also welcoming new members into the community, including three prospective families experiencing Barney for the first time. It was also a pleasure to have members of the Glasmacher team join us, bringing together key parts of our international network in a relaxed and sociable setting.
Headmaster David Cresswell, one of the few UK Headmasters fluent in German, set the tone for the evening, leading conversations confidently across both German and English. This bilingual approach reflected the School’s commitment to cultural exchange and the importance of languages in building meaningful international relationships. The friendly and open atmosphere of the Munich gathering perfectly captured the spirit of the Barney community abroad.
Berlin: A new chapter in the capital
The next stop took the team to Berlin for the School’s first ever event in the capital, hosted at Blooms Bar.
The evening brought together a diverse mix of recent leavers and long standing Old Barnardians, creating a welcoming and engaging setting. Conversations flowed easily, with guests reminiscing about their time at Barney and sharing experiences across generations.
This inaugural Berlin event marked an exciting step in expanding the School’s presence in Germany and highlighted the importance of maintaining these connections wherever in the world they may be.
Hamburg: A thriving and growing community
The final stop of the trip saw a return to Hamburg, where the largest gathering of the visit took place at Maison 16.
Guests ranged from recent leavers, including one who had departed only at Easter, to students preparing to join in September 2026, alongside Old Barnardians spanning many years. The evening also welcomed a strong mix of current, former and prospective parents, demonstrating a thriving global network that continues to grow from strength to strength.
In a particularly striking example of this commitment, one Old Barnardian travelled from Spain to attend the evening, a powerful reminder of the lasting connections formed at Barnard Castle School.
The exceptional hospitality at Maison 16 once again played a key role in the event’s success, providing a welcoming setting for guests to catch up, share stories and build new relationships. It was a fantastic reflection of a flourishing international community.
Looking ahead
The Germany trip was a fantastic success and a great reminder of just how connected the Barney community remains overseas. It brought together Old Barnardians, families and future pupils, showing the strength of these relationships across borders.
Thank you to everyone who joined us across all three cities. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces. With numbers growing year on year, we are already looking forward to returning next year and making it even bigger and better.
