preparatory school
Welcome Barnard Castle Preparatory School is a happy and thriving IAPS day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 4 to 11. From their earliest years children are encouraged to enjoy the learning experience. The Preparatory School, situated adjacent to the Senior School site, retains its own distinct character whilst drawing on the excellent facilities of the wider School community. We are committed to an education both in and out of the classroom, thereby enabling the academic, artistic, musical and physical potential of each child to flourish. The family of the School is a warm, caring and happy one, where self-esteem and confidence are developed and grown. Our high quality teachers have an excellent track record of preparing children for life at Senior School and beyond and we are proud of our extensive extracurricular activities programme. Boarding at Barnard Castle Preparatory School is highly rewarding, made popular by the full and flexi-boarding options that are available. The enjoyable boarding experience further enriches the children’s time with us. I hope that this prospectus will give you a feel for what we have to offer and encourage you to visit us to find out more. Carl Rycroft When you are steeped in little things, you shall safely attempt great things...
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Barnard Castle Preparatory School
Headmaster
A secure foundation for life From their first day with us, children are encouraged to discover, explore, create and practise their skills and knowledge in our secure and caring environment. We foster an enthusiasm for learning that will provide a foundation for life. Our broad and balanced curriculum is carefully planned and structured, offering our youngest learners a rich and exhilarating experience. Our activities – both in and out of the classroom - ensure that learning is fun, engaging and purposeful. We nurture imagination and encourage creativity and our outstanding pastoral care ensures that each child flourishes as they set out along their learning journey.
“the Prep School caters for each individual’s needs and gives children a confidence you would have never expected in such a short space of time.” Steve and Jo Riddell
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Developing new interests, friendships and responsibilities Building on the curiosities nurtured in the Pre-Prep, life in the Prep School encourages children to develop personal interests, establish new friendships and evolve a burgeoning sense of responsibility. In Years 3 to 6, children are progressively taught by a number of specialist teachers across a range of subjects, from music and physical education, to art and science. Children are also introduced to the House system with strong and spirited House competitions in art, general knowledge, handwriting, music and a whole host of sports.
“Attitudes to work are extremely positive, with pupils hurrying to class, being prepared to start in the twinkling of an eye, and applying themselves wholeheartedly in lessons. They show enthusiasm, willingness and enjoyment in all that they do.� Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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“ T h e o v e r a l l e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e EYFS is outstanding� Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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Nurturing children’s independent learning skills Benefitting from ideal class sizes, our children enjoy life in the classroom. The excellent teaching staff ensure that learning is focused and that each child is encouraged to do their best. A variety of teaching styles is used to promote achievement and information technology is integrated across the curriculum to support the learning process. The children have access to laptops and interactive learning resources as part of their classroom experience. Working beyond the confines of the National Curriculum, pupils at the Prep School follow a subject based curriculum that embraces a range of learning experiences. Specialist teaching by our well qualified staff helps to foster the academic interests of the children. We are keen that children become independent learners as they progress through the School, enabling them to face the future with confidence. Above all, however, we believe that learning should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all.
“Teaching is excellent: detailed planning, excellent relationships and skilful execution of lessons combine to ensure that pupils learn successfully and make excellent progress.� Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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Achieving more than just academic success Music and drama feature prominently in school life. Curriculum music provides all children with the opportunity to develop talents and our choral and instrumental ensembles provide the chance for children to collaborate whilst performing in concerts or in the Chapel. There are three major drama productions each year ensuring that all children are afforded the experience of taking to the stage. In addition children regularly perform in assemblies and read in Chapel, fostering the children’s confidence to speak in public.
“Within a safe and happy environment the needs of the children are very well met and fulfil the aims of the school. Every child is treated as a valued individual. Outcomes for the children are outstanding.� Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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“We have three children at Prep School and they are all quite different, but the variety of activities and the balance between education and other options for them suits them down to the ground.� Ronnie and Jenny Barker
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An activity programme enriching children’s experience We benefit from excellent sports facilities and the children enjoy a varied sporting programme, encompassing the major games such as hockey, rugby, netball, football, rounders and cricket, as well as a wide range of other sports from athletics to tennis. Swimming is also prominent, ensuring that the children make the most of our indoor swimming pool. A number of our sportsmen and women have represented the School at county, regional and sometimes national levels. Our exciting and engaging range of over 30 extra-curricular activities ensures that the intellectual, artistic, musical, dramatic and sporting ambitions of our pupils are met. The activity programme enriches the educational experience beyond the confines of the traditional teaching environment. The children benefit from regular UK and overseas educational visits that greatly enhance the learning process. Recent trips have included visits to Paris and London, excursions to local historical and geological sites, outdoor pursuits, seasonal pantomimes and overseas trips for skiing.
“In accordance with the school’s aims, the scope and variety of the excellent curriculum is broad and balanced for all pupils and it is complemented by a wide range of highly effective extracurricular and enrichment activities.” Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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A supportive and understanding community Excellent pastoral care is at the heart of the School, with children attending regular assemblies, Chapel services and PSHE lessons. The care of each individual child is primarily the responsibility of the class teacher and positive relationships exist between staff and pupils. The ‘Barney Way’ is to be kind, friendly, polite and respectful and this leads to a warm atmosphere and a caring community. Parents receive a weekly newsletter to keep them informed about what is happening at School. Written reports are produced for parents at the end of each term and teachers are regularly available for consultations about each child’s progress. The School is well supported by the ‘Barney Friends’, who facilitate good communication through the parent network, welcome new parents to the School and organise a wide variety of social events. Parents are invited to attend School events such as sports fixtures, concerts, Chapel services, drama productions and Speech Day. The School operates an open door policy, where parents are warmly welcomed in and encouraged to be a part of their child’s education.
“Pastoral care is excellent and pupils flourish in the supportive and understanding atmosphere of the school.” Independent Schools Inspectorate 2011
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Living, working and playing together At Barnard Castle Prep School we value the individuality of each and every child and time spent at Barney offers many extraordinary opportunities. Underpinning all that we do are longstanding School traditions and expectations ensuring our children uphold core values of endeavour, integrity, duty, compassion and good manners in an enjoyable and caring environment. The beautiful School Chapel is the focus of the spiritual life of the School with the children enjoying the weekly service led by the School Chaplain. In addition parents and friends of the School are welcome to join us for our major services throughout the year. The School medical centre provides for the health needs of the children and the high quality catering service ensures that a good, balanced and plentiful menu is available at all mealtimes. Our Prep School boarding community offers a ‘home from home’ experience with children cared for by House Parents, as well as a dedicated House Matron. With both full boarding and flexi-boarding packages available our boarding house, Old Courts, is self-contained and ideal for our young boarders. In this close knit community children can be assured of living, playing and working together in an informal, yet structured and safe environment.
“Barnard Castle Prep School has not only fulfilled our expectations academically, but has also provided lots of extra-curricular activities to keep Jasper busy. He has thrived on the busy sports programme, met and become friends with a large number of people and taken part in virtually every after School club!” Philip and Sara Metcalfe
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Looking forward In preparing pupils for the transition to Senior School, we ensure that each child develops a sense of independence as well as self-confidence. Academically and pastorally, the children benefit from the close links with the Senior School and its staff.
Preparatory School: 01833 696032 Admissions: 01833 696030 Email: admissions@barneyschool.org.uk www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
In our boarding community, children have the advantage of an integrated environment throughout their time with us, with positive links with the Senior School boarding houses.
“ W e w a n t C o l e t o b e h a pp y a n d h a v e t h e b e s t c h a n c e a n d o pp o r t u n i t i e s i n l i f e : w e f e e l B a r n a r d C a s t l e provides all of these.� Gary and Stacey Tudor-Smith
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