It was founded in 1883 with funding from a 13th-century endowment of John I de Balliol and the bequest of the local industrialist Benjamin Flounders.

The school is set in its own 50-acre (20 ha) grounds in Teesdale, within the North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

During this period it schooled England international players Rob Andrew and Tony and Rory Underwood.

The school has also produced Mathew Tait, Lee Dickson and Tim Visser, and appeared in three finals of the inter-school Daily Mail Cup.

The school can trace its origins to an endowment made by John I de Balliol, then Lord of Barnard Castle, in 1229.

In 1900 a £4,000 (£400,000 in 2010) science block was opened by Lord Barnard with Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham in attendance.

[26] Michael Featherstone, a former England hockey international, was appointed headmaster in 1997, and the school enjoyed considerable academic success during his tenure.

[27] One of the North East's most famous schools, Barnard Castle is set in 50-acre grounds on the outskirts of town.

[32] A large proportion of the funding to build the chapel was provided by Lord Barnard, the local nobleman and a leading freemason (with the remainder made up from public subscription), and accordingly the foundation ceremony was performed in full masonic regalia.

[39] The Grade II* listed building contains a painting by Ary Scheffer and a Father Willis organ.

[36] It has stained glass windows commemorating John Balliol and Benjamin Flounders, the two founders of the school.

The school is sited around a main building called Westwick Lodge, "a sprawling Victorian villa with the modern dormitories and classroom block hidden at the rear.

[11] There are 200 boarding pupils, significant numbers of whom have parents who are members of HM Forces, and many families are linked to nearby Catterick Garrison, Europe's largest military base.

Homework, which is always referred to as "prep" (short for preparatory work), is set for every day with the exception of Sunday.

Corporal punishment had to be phased out by 1987 in line with state schools, as it received public funding.

As well as the standard subjects, Latin, Classics, Ancient History, Greek, German and Spanish are taught.

However, numbers unexpectedly improved around the turn of the millennium, and this turnaround has often been attributed to the positive image that boarding received from the Harry Potter series.

An extensive range of almost 100 after-school activities are offered throughout the year, such as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme up to Gold level.

[60] Historically the Barnard Run was a seven-mile course which began at Towler Hill Farm, ran to Cotherstone suspension bridge, with an undetermined route back to the school.

[57] The Junior Officers' Training Corps was established at the school in 1909 following an invitation from Lord Haldane, then Secretary of State for War.

In 2021 three students were appointed to assist the Lord Lieutenant of Durham in her majesty Mrs Snowdon's duties.

Former headmaster David Ewart explained the school's rugby ethos: "We believe the game breeds important life skills in those who play it.

[71] The school is a prominent feeder institution for the Newcastle Falcons, with signings over the last decade including Lee Dickson, Tim Visser, Alex Tait, Ed Williamson and Rory Clegg.

Recent signings to other premiership clubs include Calum Clark, Alex Gray and Ross Batty.

The School's 1st XV team reached the final of the national Daily Mail Cup for U18s three times in five seasons between 2002/03 and 2006/07.

Nowadays the captain of the winning house team comes to the front of chapel and ceremonially taps the shield.

The Chairman of the Governors, the Headmaster, an invited Speaker and the Head of School make speeches, and academic prizes are awarded to pupils.

Past speakers have included Hensley Henson, Kenneth Calman, Kevin Whately and Angus Thirlwell.

[127] Notable former staff have included the educationalist George Graham Able, Bentley Beetham and cricketer Martin Speight.

[128] Past governors include Joseph Langley Burchnall, who served on the board for twenty years, rising to the level of chairman.