Senior School is a time when students learn to think for themselves, take on challenges and discover what matters to them. We support every pupil to become both well-rounded and well-grounded, ready to thrive in the Sixth Form and beyond.
Senior School is where the Barney journey truly begins to take shape. These are the years when pupils move from childhood into young adulthood, and we are proud to walk alongside them during this time of growth, discovery and change.
At Barnard Castle School, we help young people develop the confidence to speak up, the resilience to keep going when things get tough and the curiosity to keep asking questions. We support them to become both well-rounded and well-grounded, and to embrace every small step that helps them grow.
This is a school that takes learning seriously but never forgets the value of good humour, kindness and community. We do not expect pupils to be perfect. We expect them to give things a go, to take responsibility and to support one another along the way.
By the time they finish Year 11, we want every pupil to know who they are, what they can contribute and how they might grow further. For many, that journey continues into our Sixth Form, where they build on the foundations laid in the Senior School with greater independence and ambition. We see education as a whole school journey, not just a series of separate stages, and we look forward to supporting our pupils as they take the next steps with us.
David Cresswell
Headmaster
Community & friendship
The Senior School at Barnard Castle is where pupils grow into themselves. Spanning Years 7 to 11, these are the years in which curiosity deepens, confidence builds, and character begins to take shape. From the moment they arrive, pupils are welcomed into a vibrant and caring community. Through the House system, tutor groups, co-curricular activities and the rhythm of daily school life, they build friendships that cross year groups and last a lifetime. Whether singing side by side in Congers or competing shoulder to shoulder in House Singing, pupils experience the joy of teamship: shared effort, shared laughter and shared goals.
A celebration of belonging
At the end of every term, this spirit is celebrated in our Nailing-Up ceremony, where the winning House’s shield is placed on the Dining Hall wall. But it is not just about the shield. It is about the pride in one another, the sense of belonging and the knowledge that no one is striving alone. It is almost impossible to feel isolated at Barney, and that deep sense of connection creates the psychological safety pupils need to try, to grow and to become the best version of themselves.
Challenging minds & shaping futures
Academic stretch sits at the heart of the Senior School. We challenge pupils through a broad and ambitious curriculum, taught by passionate subject specialists who know them well. Alongside this, pupils take part in a wide range of co-curricular opportunities in music, sport, drama, CCF and our Mind, Body and Soul programme. In every setting, our aim is the same: to help young people discover their strengths, step out of their comfort zones and begin to shape the lives they want to lead.
Discover Senior School at Barney
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