News |

OB Summer Gathering 2023

Generations of classmates returned to their old stomping ground for a reunion and to hear how their former school continues to flourish.

Around 100 Old Barnardians, ranging from 20 to 80, descended on Barney last weekend to recall old times and swap tales of childhood.

The school organised a variety of entertainment, from teas to tours, a chapel service to touch rugby and lunch and a teatime barbecue.

Headmaster Tony Jackson told them: “You share a special bond; you are all Old Barnardians, former pupils of a school now enjoying its 140th year.

“The school is as strong as ever and remains true to what it is about – being a place for young people to develop their characters, to go out to make a difference because of what is in their souls as well as their brains.”

Mr Jackson said inspectors had recently graded the school excellent in all areas, there was now a waiting list for the boarding school and the sixth form roll was almost twice as large as it has been when the sixth form centre was first built.

“The school is in a really good place and the ‘vibe’ is the thing I am most proud of,” he said. “Barney is a place where people feel safe, happy and can feed off this positive energy.”