Pupils Lead Exciting School Improvement Project at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle is delighted to be working in partnership with William Smith to transform its pupil toilet facilities through an exciting, pupil-led improvement project. Through pupil voice activities, the school identified that the current toilet areas were beginning to look dated. As a result, plans are now underway to completely refresh the spaces with new vinyl wraps, creating modern, welcoming environments for all pupils.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Celebrates Harvest Thanksgiving with the Community
Pupils, families and staff at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle came together for a joyful Harvest Thanksgiving celebration, giving thanks for the many blessings of the harvest season. The special gathering featured contributions from every class, with children sharing songs, dances, prayers and poems. Their performances helped create a wonderful atmosphere of gratitude and celebration as the school community reflected on the importance of thankfulness and kindness.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Pupils Share Stories with Friends at The Manor
Children from Robins class at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle enjoyed a special visit to The Manor, where they spent time sharing some of their favourite stories with residents as part of the National Year of Reading and the school's commitment to "Going All In" with reading. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils and residents to come together through a shared love of books and storytelling. The children were full of enthusiasm and conversation, chatting about everything from Mrs T’s pink hair and driving the minibus to asking residents how loudly they could whistle. One pupil even sparked smiles and laughter by asking, "Do you know Tesco Tony sometimes comes to my house?"
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Pupils Enjoy Gruffalo Adventure at Hamsterley Forest
Children in Robins class at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle enjoyed a fantastic day of outdoor learning during a visit to Hamsterley Forest, where they completed the popular Gruffalo Trail. Inspired by the much-loved story, pupils followed the trail through the forest, exploring the great outdoors while bringing the adventures of Mouse and the Gruffalo to life. The visit gave children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the story's woodland setting while enjoying nature, fresh air and physical activity.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Pupils Make Strong Progress in Violin Lessons
Young musicians at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle, are making excellent progress in their weekly violin lessons. The school offers violin tuition to children from Year 2 upwards, giving pupils the opportunity to develop their musical skills, build confidence and learn a new instrument.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Pupils Celebrate Success at Bowes Show
Children from St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle are celebrating after receiving prizes as winners at this year's Bowes Show. The school was delighted to receive a card thanking the children for their participation and support. The message also praised the high standard of the entries submitted by pupils, commenting on their effort and enthusiasm throughout the event.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Welcomes Visit from Local Police Officer
Pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle were delighted to welcome a special visitor when PC Preet spent time at the school to introduce himself and talk about his role in the local community. The visit gave children the opportunity to learn more about how police officers help keep people safe and support communities every day.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Pupils Thrive at Lockerbie Manor Residential
Pupils from Year 5 and Year 6 at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School are enjoying an exciting and enriching residential trip to Lockerbie Manor, Scotland’s flagship school residential centre. Set within 78 acres of woodland in Dumfries and Galloway, Lockerbie Manor provides a unique environment where children can step outside the classroom and develop new skills. The historic manor, built in 1814, retains its original charm with features such as ornate ceilings and wood panelling, while offering modern facilities, including en suite accommodation, a private lake and a wide range of expertly led activities.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle Promotes Water Safety with Community Officers
Situated in the riverside town of Barnard Castle, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has been helping pupils prepare for the summer holidays by hosting an important water safety session with local community police and fire officers.
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Inspiring Futures at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle: Mini Police Visit Sparks Big Ambitions
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.
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Learning Comes Alive by the River at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
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.
Larks Class Celebrate Intergenerational Week at The Manor House
Some of our children from Larks class at St Mary’s Barnard Castle enjoyed a very special visit to The Manor House today as part of our commitment to connecting with the local community and celebrating Intergenerational Week.