This article is sponsored by Barnard Castle School.
As a parent, choosing the right school for your child can be one of the most challenging and important decisions you will make.
It is also a major milestone for your child, therefore their happiness is paramount.
Tony Jackson, headmaster at Barnard Castle School, recognises this and has moved to reassure parents that “enormous emphasis” has been placed on ensuring every pupil feels a sense of belonging at the school.
He said:
“Only then will they come close to maximising their potential.”
His comments come ahead of a series of open mornings being held at the co-educational independent day and boarding school in County Durham, which has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.
The events, which are being held in February and March, are aimed at giving parents and pupils an opportunity to get a feel for the school, inspect the facilities and chat with peers and staff.
Mr Jackson, who has been headmaster at the school, known affectionately as ‘Barney’, since 2018, said:
“It is important your child flourishes whilst at school, which are the most important and formative years of their lives.
“At Barney, our students exceed their academic potential as a result of inspiring teaching, delivered in an easy, open and respectful environment at the heart of which are the caring relationships that exist between the teachers and students.”
Mr Jackson said the school’s recent achievements are a result of the teachers and wider ancillary staff, who spend every day “inspiring, supporting and guiding” pupils.
He said:
“Barney has always possessed a wonderful environment, with happy children and staff at its heart.
“Whilst we are extremely proud of what our students achieve academically, we also recognise the vital importance of preparing the next generation for an ever-changing and increasingly competitive and global marketplace.
“We expect our pupils to work as hard as they can, and do as well as they can.
“However, we tell them that academic success will only open a door; it is what they do when they walk through that door that counts.”
The school has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.
The headteacher said that as a result of this ethos, the school prides itself on its co-curricular activities.
He added:
“It is in these environments that most life lessons are learned. We want our young people to problem-solve, work in a team, demonstrate leadership and have emotional intelligence.
“Resilience and humility must also be at the very heart of our young people. All these attributes are delivered most effectively through extra-curricular activities.
“Be it missing out on a part in a play, or performing on stage, or standing with teammates to defend a goal or a try line; winning and losing.
“All these experiences help develop in our children the attributes they will need, and the more exposure they can get, the better, which is why our activity programme is so varied.”
Beyond the more traditional spheres of music, drama and sport, Barnard Castle School currently offers more than 100 activities to students, which include a bespoke ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ programme for Year 7 and 8s.
Mr Jackson said:
“We often find that a number of our pupils create and lead their own activities as well, demonstrating leadership and innovation.
“We want Barnardians to be the types of people who light up a room when they enter it. This requires confidence, resilience and compassion, all built up over a period of time, and in a variety of ways, both within and beyond the classroom. No leader can achieve anything major without the influence of the staff who make it happen. This is especially the case in our school.
“We tell our parents that our collective role, as parents and teachers, is to arm our children with the tools with which to clear the path ahead of them, not to clear the path for them. This means we have to allow them to fail at times, in a supportive environment.
“If we do that together, we are doing our best to prepare our young people for the challenges ahead.”
Situated on the outskirts of historic market town of Barnard Castle, an extensive transport service is operated from across the North East and North Yorkshire to the school.
Full or flexible boarding options in the school’s friendly, welcoming boarding houses are also provided.
To find out more about what makes education at Barnard Castle School so special, contact a member of the admissions team on 01833 696030 or email admissions@barneyschool.org.uk
- A Prep School open morning is taking place on Saturday, March 19 from 9.30am until 11.30am.
- Senior School open mornings – by appointment only – are being held on Saturday, February 26 and Saturday, March 19.
- Following the success of the school’s recent, oversubscribed Sixth Form information evening, Barnard Castle is delighted to offer personal, private visits for prospective Sixth Form students and their families.
Ripon Grammar School has been named the top grammar school in the north of England.
The school, which was founded in 1555, received the accolade from Corporate Vision magazine’s national awards.
The awards highlight educators who are considered to be leaders in their field.
Chloe Smart, education and training awards coordinator at Corporate Vision, said:
“Skills, personality, outlook, ethos, drive, hobbies and ambition, are all rooted in early life.
“The role of an educator is utterly fundamental to the fabric of our society.”
Read more:
The Corporate Vision education and training awards were open to organisations including boarding schools, independent schools, early education organisations, adult education institutions, training centres, vocational schools and grammar schools.
Ms Smart said:
“The education and training awards were launched to spotlight the paragons of education and training and we have endeavoured to showcase those that have truly come to define the sector they work in.”