Personal Development

Through formal and informal programmes, we are constantly supporting the growth of our students in their academic endeavours and in their character development. We devote time each week to 1:1 and group tutor meetings for students to discuss their progress and to support their short and long-term goal-setting. Our academic scholars and gifted students have additional ‘enrichment’ meetings. Our Higher Education and Careers team are on hand throughout the week for 1:1 meetings, and we regularly meet in year groups for career and university workshops as well as trips out of school.

Throughout the year, there are compulsory events and workshops for our students to practice and develop interview skills with the Governing body and our Old Barnardians. The students participate in an Industry Day led by our Business department and are supported by our Old Barnardian network to develop communication, collaboration, presentation and creativity. We also run a Personal and Professional Development course each year, which affords our students the opportunity to learn the art of communication and professional conduct in networking.

Our Prefect team lead on a variety of school events, activities and initiatives throughout the school year. Additionally, most Sixth Form students will volunteer for a role of responsibility or leadership, whether it is as a Peer Mentor, an Anti-Bullying Ambassador, a society lead or a position within the CCF or the community.

Social & events

Our Sixth Form community is at the heart of Barney life – it is dynamic, ambitious, welcoming and, importantly, is not all about work. Friendships for life are formed in the Sixth Form and this comes from students socialising, as well as studying, together.

During their free time, Sixth Formers can walk into Barnard Castle to visit cafes and shops, relax in the Sixth Form Centre or Common Room, or enjoy a workout in the School’s fitness suite. Students also benefit from a programme of organised exclusive social activities, ranging from light-hearted quiz nights to formal black tie dinners each term. Events are coordinated by the Sixth Form Common Room Social Committee.

Sixth Form formals are held approximately twice a term and contribute to our wider ethos of helping prepare students for life beyond school. Half are black tie and the other are fancy dress or arranged around a theme, for example, a murder mystery or barn dance. Seating for the three-course dinner is arranged so students sit with a mix of people they know well and others they know less well, giving them opportunities to develop their social, conversational and listening skills and, consequently, self-confidence. The dinner is followed by entertainment along the event’s theme and relaxed social time. Additional events for boarders include open mic nights and quizzes. Our Year 13 students say farewell at a glamorous ball held at school on the last Saturday of the academic year and attended by students, parents, staff and friends.

Developing confidence and communication skills

Sixth formers have the opportunity to take part in a course that helps them to build self-confidence and develop a range of skills in communication and presentation, the ability to converse well and to understand the subtleties of social interaction. At the end of the course, they host a reception and three-course dinner for guests unknown to them, where they put their skills into practice, and they receive affirmation for what they’ve learned.

Leadership

An important aspect of being a Sixth Form student at Barnard Castle School is the opportunity to develop genuine leadership skills on a daily basis. Whether its within the Prep School, in House or across the Senior School, the School environment brings together children of different ages, characters and behaviours and provides our senior students with a unique opportunity to learn, practise and develop their communication skills and judgement as leaders through experience, as well as being role models for younger pupils.

Complementing our programme of lectures in leadership and management from eminent academics and business leaders, Sixth Formers have many opportunities to take on responsibilities and to lead their peers and, in fact, lead the School. Sixth Formers can be appointed and elected to different roles according to their individual strengths and skills, including peer supporters, mentors, sports captains and prefects. Later on in their Sixth Form life, senior students have further opportunities to work alongside school leaders in the operational management of the School, working collaboratively and displaying the same level of integrity and good judgement that employers want to see.

Sixth Form students can chair and contribute to influential committees, and societies, and direct strategic projects that will have a lasting impact for future generations, such as our ‘Identity Panels’ which see Sixth Form students opening and leading discussions on a variety of contemporary topics with our younger students. Skills of communication, planning, presentation, diplomacy and organisation are all developed through these forums.

Clubs, societies and activities

We promote and celebrate diversity at Barney: every student enjoys a unique Sixth Form experience, tailored to their passions. There are many opportunities to explore current and new hobbies and interests, not only trying out new ventures, but also leading within those areas.

Sixth Formers hand-pick their activities

Clubs and Societies vary from MedSoc to LawSoc, Book Club to Egalitarian Society, and many more, and can widen aspirations and knowledge of careers, as well as sparking or further fuelling interests outside of the curriculum.

In addition to the weekly clubs, Sixth Formers enjoy a diverse range of social events that link to further professional and personal skills and attributes, including our much-loved Lectern Club. Renowned amongst our alumni, participating in Lectern Club, a formal black-tie evening (but with an atmosphere of warmth and support) which celebrates public speaking and develops self-confidence, is an ambition of many a Sixth Former, and they form true memory-making, Barney-style evenings.