Number of pupils: 720
Percentage boarders: 24%
Percentage international pupils: 19%
Average class size: senior school - 18 // 6th Form - 10
Closest international airport: Newcastle, 1 hour away by car
Fees per term for 2023/2024: £12,500
A-Levels and GCSEs on offer.
Barnard Castle School is non-selective, yet achieved a respectable 18% A grades at A-Levels and 29% 9-7 grades at GCSEs in 2023. This is in no small part due to the good pupil-to-teacher ratio of 10:1, as well as dedicated teachers and a highly supportive learning environment.
24% of pupils are full boarders.
Y11 pupils and upwards get single rooms and pupils change rooms every term.
Boarding houses are very cozy and have their individual identity.
On week-ends, regular cultural trips to nearby cities like Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool are organised, as well as local trips to the cinema, bowling and meals at local restaurants.
Exeat weekends exist, but are not compulsory.
Barnard Castle School's many outdoors activities are excellent. Pupils go mountain-biking, rock-climbing, cross-country running and canoeing. This trains pupils endurance and resilience and allows them to forge friendships for life.
Sports is strong, especially the rugby. However it is the broader extracurricular activies that excite: Barnard Castle School offers over 130 activities to get involved in!
The school is very strong on soft-skills development, especially public speaking, and leadership-training are very strong here, thanks to inspiring headmaster Tony Jackson.
Yet, our favourite 'Barney'-thing is the amazingly friendly, warm atmosphere at the school.
Barnard Castle School could have a few more boarding pupils. The school does an amazing job integrating boarders and day pupils, however.