International boarding fees of £17,703 per term bundle EAL tuition, visa support, airport collection and exeat accommodation.
Co-educational British boarding school in County Durham, North East England
Why this school
International boarding fees of £17,703 per term bundle EAL tuition, visa support, airport collection and exeat accommodation.
Dedicated Forces Families programme includes a named Forces Family Lead and CEA funding guidance for Service families.
LAMDA speech and drama qualifications available alongside CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Senior School.
Barnard Castle School is a co-educational independent school in County Durham, founded in 1883. Its 50-acre site in North East England educates around 650 pupils from age 4 to 19, with Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior sections sharing a single campus. The school holds ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) accreditation and sits within the market town that shares its name. That setting keeps the community compact and connected, without the anonymity of a larger urban campus.
The Senior School follows the GCSE pathway through to A-levels at sixth form. Recent results show a 97% overall pass rate, with 75% of grades at A*–C. University preparation begins from Year 7, with a structured transition into sixth form at Year 12. The curriculum covers the standard range of GCSE and A-level subjects. LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) speech and drama qualifications sit alongside the academic programme as co-curricular enrichment. The Prep section (Years 3–6) and Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2) share the same site, so younger pupils move through the school without a disruptive change of environment.
Sixth form pupils sit A-levels and can draw on CCF (Combined Cadet Force), the Duke of Edinburgh Award and LAMDA to build profiles for competitive university applications. The 97% A-level pass rate and 75% A*–C rate reflect consistent academic delivery across the cohort.
A-Level results
75% gained A*-C and the overall pass rate is 97%
Barnard Castle School offers full boarding and flexi-boarding for Senior pupils (Years 7–13). Flexi-boarding requires a minimum of four nights per week, with additional nights available at £997.50 per night (inc. VAT). The school runs a dedicated Forces Families programme with a named Forces Family Lead, including support for CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) funding — a practical detail for Service families managing frequent postings. Pastoral care is structured through the house system across the contained 50-acre campus.
The co-curricular offer includes CCF, the DofE (Duke of Edinburgh Award) and LAMDA drama and speech qualifications. CCF provides military-style leadership training with structured progression; DofE runs through bronze, silver and gold award levels. LAMDA offers a graded qualification pathway in performance and communication skills. The school’s 50-acre grounds support outdoor activities and sports provision within the campus.
The school occupies 50 acres in the market town of Barnard Castle, County Durham. Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior departments share a single site, so the full age range of 4 to 19 is educated in one place. North East England’s countryside provides the immediate backdrop. The scale of the grounds is notable for a school of 650 pupils.
Annual tuition
£51,135 per year · full boarding · Senior · Years 9-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Prep | Reception-Y2 | Day | — | £12,903 |
| Prep | Years 3-6 | Day | — | £19,077 |
| Senior | Years 7-13 | Day | — | £23,840 |
| Prep | Years 3-6 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £35,113 |
| Junior | Years 7-8 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £41,287 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £44,204 |
| Prep | Years 3-6 | Full boarding | International | £40,908 |
| Junior | Years 7-8 | Full boarding | International | £48,181 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | International | £51,135 |
| Senior | Years 7-13 | Flexi boarding | — | £11,970 |
Additional fees
Deposit
£3,000
Registration
£228
County Durham, North East England. Newcastle International Airport is approximately 35 miles north. Durham railway station connects to the East Coast Main Line with services to London King's Cross.
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For 2027, full boarding in the Senior School (Years 7–13) is £15,303 per term, inclusive of VAT and compulsory school lunch. International boarders are charged £17,703 per term, which bundles EAL (English as an Additional Language) tuition, visa support, airport collection and exeat accommodation. Flexi-boarding (minimum four nights per week) is available at £3,990 per term.
Day fees for 2027 are £4,301 per term for Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2), £6,359 per term for Prep (Years 3–6), and £7,947 per term for Senior day pupils (Years 7–13). All fees include VAT and compulsory school lunch.
Senior pupils follow the GCSE curriculum through to A-levels at sixth form. Co-curricular qualifications include LAMDA speech and drama grades. The school does not currently offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma.
The overall A-level pass rate is 97%, with 75% of grades at A*–C. These figures reflect performance across the sixth form cohort.
Yes. The school runs a dedicated Forces Families programme with a named Forces Family Lead on staff. Support includes guidance on accessing CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) funding, which is relevant to Service families managing postings.
The school accepts pupils from age 4 (Reception) through to age 19 (Year 13), covering Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior sections on a single 50-acre site in County Durham.
The registration fee is £114. A deposit of £500 is required on acceptance of a place.
Pupils can participate in the CCF (Combined Cadet Force), the Duke of Edinburgh Award at bronze, silver and gold levels, and LAMDA speech and drama qualifications. These run alongside the standard academic programme across the Senior School.
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