Barndale School
Community special school in Alnwick (Northumberland).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Barndale School has established itself has a highly reputable specialist school in the North of Northumberland. This is not just due to the work we do with our young people but also the support we offer to our colleagues in mainstream settings. The school has grown considerably but has held the importance of learning and relationships at the heart of what we do.
Our pupil needs have evolved and are better suited to the buildings and sites we inhabit. Our cohorts are much more along the neurodivergent pathway with specific specialisms working with those children and young adults who have conditions and needs alike; ASD, ADHD, SEMH.
Our personalised and flexible approach to teaching and learning will ensure that your child is placed at the heart of everything we do. Our team of staff are highly skilled, caring, hardworking and committed to promoting every aspect of your child's intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
We understand and appreciate that progress for every child will look very different and we recognise this in numerous ways. We promote a positive and supportive culture in school where every achievement is recognised and celebrated.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
1 activityiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Forest School
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Duke of EdinburghPersonal development
Key facts
- URN
- 122384
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Has a sixth form
- Nursery
- Has Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- Constituency
- North Northumberland
- Setting
- Larger rural: Further from a major town or city
Governing body (11 current, 0 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Jennifer Smith | Chair of Governors | Appointed by LA | since 2025 · until 2029 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Luke McTaggart | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mrs Julie Wilson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Lisa Graham | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Ms Gill Bulloch | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Martin Gray | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Ms Dawn Robertson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Sarah Dickson | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Gayle Fairbairn | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2022 · until 2030 |
| Ms Hannah Moeini Nakhshbandi | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2021 · until 2028 |
| Miss Katrina Green | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2015 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record