Welcome to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Little Wren’s Nursery in Barnard Castle - a warm, nurturing and community‑focused school where children aged 3 and above begin their learning journey with confidence, curiosity and joy. Set in the beautiful market town of Barnard Castle, County Durham, we provide a caring environment where every child can explore, grow and thrive.
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St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle welcomed a special visit from the Mini Police Team this week, giving pupils a hands-on insight into life in the police force as part of the school’s innovative “Big Ambitions” curriculum. The exciting session, designed to broaden children’s career aspirations, offered pupils from the Owls class a unique opportunity to learn directly from real police officers about the diverse roles within modern policing. From community policing to specialist units, the visit was both educational and inspiring.
123,456… say hello to our beautiful chicks! We are delighted to welcome some very special new arrivals to the St Mary’s family—Vanilla, Cinnamon, Maple, Mocha, Peach and Lemon!
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This week, children at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle enjoyed a truly memorable learning experience that brought their classroom work to life through hands‑on exploration and local links. As part of their English learning, pupils had been developing their writing skills by expanding sentences and adding greater detail. Building on this, the children applied their descriptive writing to explain how to make an Egyptian skiff boat, linking their literacy work with their wider curriculum learning about Ancient Egypt.
At Little Wren’s Nursery, we offer high‑quality early years provision for children from age 3, giving them a gentle, supportive introduction to school life. Our dedicated Early Years team provides personalised care, play‑based learning and meaningful experiences that build early communication skills, independence and a lifelong love of learning. Families seeking nursery places in Barnard Castle appreciate our warm atmosphere, small‑school feel and strong focus on wellbeing.
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With our beautiful outdoor spaces, including a school garden, our much‑loved chicken coop, and a thriving Forest School area - children enjoy hands‑on, nature‑rich learning every day. These experiences support curiosity, resilience and essential life skills, helping children develop confidence while learning to care for the world around them.
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Our curriculum combines the full National Curriculum with a wide range of extra opportunities that enrich children’s learning. Through our Enjoyment and Enrichment programme, pupils take part in exciting activities that build skills, interests and confidence. We are proud to hold both the Rights Respecting School Award and the Investing in Children Award, reflecting our commitment to promoting respect, high expectations and positive relationships across our school.
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