One thing that makes Lady Barn extremely unique is its ability to hold onto so many staff members. It’s not rare to find staff still wandering the corridors after 30 years, with no sign of ever leaving. Staff make Lady Barn a second home (likely spending more time there than in their first), and that can be recognised in the children’s joy and confidence that they exuberate when they get ready to leave in Year 6. It is also what makes leaving, for the children, so very hard. Lady Barn’s community spirit and ethos has remained the same over the years and is a continually growing family. Not only do staff remain, but former pupils frequently return. Not just to visit old teachers but to re-join as members of staff. Currently, in the school, there are 5 past pupils. Some of whom were here when Lady Barn’s existence on School’s Hill was fairly unestablished and others who have returned to find many of their old teachers teaching in the same classrooms. 

We sat down with a couple of those members of staff, to share some memories and see what Lady Barn has meant to them over the years…

Emma Beer

Emma is currently a Year 3 teacher who joined the school as a member of staff after completing her degree and PGSE in 2000. However, Emma’s journey at Lady Barn House School first began in 1983 as a young 8-year-old girl who entered Year 4. Since then, Emma has had three children, all of whom have attended Lady Barn. Pupil, teacher and parent…tick.

We asked Emma what she felt had remained the same since her time here as a pupil and agreeably it’s fun and laughter that we experience every single day, just as it was in the 1980s! “Lady Barn is such a wonderful place to learn and to teach, and I am so lucky that I have been able to come back to welcome other children to that family, as I was welcomed all those years ago!”.

What makes Lady Barn special to you? 

The people.
I can say, without a doubt, that the team of people who work here are what make it so special. Across all areas of the School, you find wonderful people who are not just colleagues, but friends. Mix all the amazing pupils and parents into that team, and you get what we have here!

What do you feel has remained the same about LBHS over the years that you've been both a pupil and member of staff?

Without a doubt, the feeling of being part of a very special family, it is just as I always remembered it. Lady Barn is such a wonderful place to learn and to teach, and I am so lucky that I have been able to come back to welcome other children to that family, as I was welcomed all those years ago! I would also say the fun and laughter that we experience every single day is just as it was in the 1980s!

Do you have a favourite memory or time at LB, perhaps on a school trip?

One of my favourite memories is of paddling in a canoe with my best friend, Belinda, and the Deputy Head, Mr Ward, across the lake at school camp, singing a ridiculous song that involved blowing lots of raspberries as part of the lyrics, at the top of our voices! How we ever made it back in one piece, without capsizing due to all the laughing, I will never know!

Amy Slade

Year 6 teacher and Head of Upper Juniors, Amy Slade is another former pupil of Lady Barn. Joining in 2008, Amy has given her all into making Upper Juniors the best experience for those children preparing to say goodbye and starting Secondary School. Years 5 and 6, still enjoy all the trips that past alumni will fondly remember such as, camp at Glaramara and the South Coast Trip. Amy also organises other activities in school for the students. We were recently visited by Cheshire Falconry during Activity Week, it was a magical moment watching Birds of Prey fly around the Astro.

When did you join the school?

I was a pupil from 1991-1994. However, I re-joined the school as a teacher in 2008.

What is it about Lady Barn that you enjoy and made you want to return as a teacher?

The family atmosphere. The children all know each other and the staff know all the children. Year 6 children get such amazing opportunities and Lady Barn allows them to experience being a big fish in a little pond. As a member of staff, the colleagues I work with are fantastic and watching the children excel are the best parts.

What would you like to see from Lady Barn in the future?

I would love to see the continuation of classic Lady Barn events like camp and south coast. It would also be great to see some new additions too.