Community Contribution

The school aims to be at the heart of the local community and makes a significant contribution to the economic, social, sporting and cultural life of the area. In addition, the school contributes to the quality of education for children throughout the area, and its staff support many organisations outside school. Here are some of the ways in which the school contributes:

• We are the second largest employer in Barnard Castle and with a workforce of 183;
  Eight per cent of the children currently enrolled live outside the DL12 postcode area, thus bringing investment to the area;
• We support the local economy by using local businesses for a range of contracts, including uniform, buses, catering, signage, building and many more;
• Numerous community groups use our sports facilities:
• Barnard Castle Rugby Club has an arrangement to use the school’s grounds;
  Durham County Hockey and Barnard Castle Junior Hockey Club use the all-weather pitch for training;
• Raby Cricket Club and Barnard Castle Cricket Club both use the school’s indoor training facilities;
  GSK Squash Club uses the school squash courts for training and matches;
  Bowes Football Club and Barnard Castle Football Club both use the Sports Hall and pitches;
• A local swimming club uses the pool.
• The Barnard Castle School Choral Society is a community choir which uses the school’s expertise, premises and resources to rehearse and perform;
• Governors serve on Governing Bodies of state schools;
• We host professional development opportunities for teachers in other schools and for trainee teachers, and provide training for local primary school staff and pupils in a range of sports and hosting tournaments;
• We provide UCAS advice and interview experience for candidates from local maintained schools;
  Our summer Activity Weeks are open to the whole community;
• The school is a licensed organisation for providing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and local assessors use the school as a meeting place for coordination and planning;
• The school’s Combined Cadet Force Contingent supports Polam Hall CCF by providing access to training, expertise and resources;
• The CCF Contingent is a member of the Tri-Service Cadet Adventure Training Group, contributing instructors to its work with children outside school;
• Cadets from the CCF lead local civic remembrance ceremonies in November in the local parish church and at the cenotaph, and again in July on Aviation Day;
• The school makes additional parking available without charge to the Bowes Museum on busy occasions and for special exhibitions, and is a designated place of safety for the Museum’s collection;
• A Level art students exhibit their work each summer at The Witham gallery;
• The Chapel welcomes visitors on national Heritage Open Days and it is available for use by the community.