Barnard Castle School
School summary
Set in the Durham town of Barnard Castle, this co-educational independent school offers both day and boarding places to pupils aged 11 to 18. With around 561 on roll, it sits in the medium-size band, and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 13 allows for close attention. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its highest rating of "excellent" for both education and personal development, and the school met all compliance requirements. A Christian foundation shapes its ethos.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 25 April 2023
Teaching & academics
The ISI judged the school "excellent", a mark of strong teaching and pupil progress across the secondary years. The favourable staffing ratio of roughly 13 pupils per teacher supports a personal approach through to A-level. Entry at 11 is available, including via the 11+ route.
Head · Mr Anthony Jackson
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- Christian
- Boarding
- Yes
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £12,424 - £18,370
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £35,112 - £41,286
Schools nearby
Highcroft School
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Embleton View
Darlington, North East
Pear Tree School
Darlington, North East
Oakwood Learning Centre
Darlington, North East
Embleton View
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Clervaux Garden School
North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An "excellent"-rated independent school combining day and boarding, well suited to families seeking a small, attentive setting with a Christian character.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Barnard Castle School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.