This October at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle, our Year 5 and 6 pupils - known as Owl Class - took part in an exciting creative challenge set by English Heritage. Pupils were invited to design a brand‑new pin badge for Barnard Castle, inspired by their understanding of the historic site and its significance within our local area.
As part of our continued commitment to delivering a rich and meaningful local curriculum, the project encouraged children to draw on their knowledge of the castle’s history, architecture and role in the community. The Owls embraced the task with enthusiasm, producing a range of thoughtful and imaginative badge designs.
After much anticipation, we are thrilled to share the results of the competition!
Winner: Ana (Year 5) (Left-hand drawing)
Runner-up: Katey (Year 5) (Right-hand drawing)
A huge congratulations to both Ana and Katey for their outstanding designs. English Heritage will now select one element from Ana’s winning badge and combine it with features chosen from another school’s entries to create the final design. This completed pin badge will be sold in the gift shop, offering our pupils the special experience of seeing their ideas brought to life.
This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to engage creatively with the heritage of Barnard Castle, and we are extremely proud of the Owls for their hard work, enthusiasm and artistic talent. Well done to everyone involved!