Founded in AD627, St Peter’s is one of the world’s oldest schools. The Senior School provides outstanding education for boys and girls from 11 to 18, and welcomes boarding and day pupils. Pupils at St Peter’s School achieve some of the best grades in the North of England at GCSE and A level.
It also has a co-educational Junior School and nursery, which admits day pupils. (See separate entries in IAPS section).
The boarders from Year 7 (10% of senior pupils) are housed in three boarding houses, and day pupils are assigned to a day house, all of which are on the campus. St Peter’s offers full boarding, part-time, short term and flexi boarding options.
Buildings and facilities. The School occupies an impressive 50-acre site just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre of York. Playing fields stretch down to the River Ouse and the School boat house, and the sports facilities are further supplemented by three sports halls, a fitness suite, an astro pitch and a 25-metre, 6-lane swimming pool.
There are three performance spaces of varying capacities, a music school, an outstanding art school with its own exhibition gallery and an extensive library. The school’s sports pitches have been recognised for their excellence by the Institute of Groundsmanship. Building work is underway for a brand-new Sixth Form Centre with a dedicated café, research library and lecture theatre, some of which is already open for pupils to enjoy.
Entrance. Applications should be received by 31 October (16+) and 31 December (11+). Pupils are admitted through the School’s entrance examinations held at the end of January for 11+ and in mid-November for 16+.
Curriculum. St Peter’s offers a very broad curriculum, including Music, PE, Art, Design & Technology, Community Action, languages, and courses in personal and social education, among many others.
Nearly all pupils proceed into the Sixth Form, and A level courses are available in all subjects studied for IGCSE/GCSE, as well as Psychology, History of Art, Economics, Politics, Business Studies, Further Mathematics and PE.
Academic and pastoral care. A comprehensive House and tutorial system with interim assessments and reports during the term ensure the pastoral support by all the teaching staff of pupils’ academic and general development.
Religious education and worship. Religious Studies are part of the curriculum, and Chapel is seen as an opportunity for pupils to understand the School’s Christian heritage, however, pupils of any religion are welcome.
Careers and university entrance. The School is an ‘all-in’ member of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. Careers staff are available for consultation, maintaining an extensive library relating to careers and higher education, and organising a full programme of events for the Sixth Form including talks from Alumni. In 2015, the School’s Careers Department was accredited by Career Mark, ‘The mark of Quality for Careers Education and Guidance’. Approximately 90% of Sixth Form pupils go straight on to further or higher education study, with the majority progressing to elite and Russell Group universities in the UK (including Oxford and Cambridge).
Games and Physical Education. Physical education is a significant part of life at St Peter’s, with an extensive games programme for all levels of ability, 250 sports teams and excellent sports facilities. Rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, swimming, tennis and rowing are major sports, and many other options including athletics, football, cross country, basketball, squash, yoga, badminton, fencing, fitness and weight training are available.
Combined Cadet Force. A flourishing and voluntary CCF contingent, with army and air sections, allows the pursuit of many activities including a full programme of camps, expeditions and courses.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is also on offer with expedition training for all levels as part of the activities programme with very high levels of participation.
Music. Musical ability is encouraged and developed throughout the School. There is an orchestra, bands, choirs, choral society, Barbershop groups (boys and girls) and numerous other activities. Concerts and tours abroad are a regular feature of the school year. Tuition in all instruments is provided as one-to-one weekly lessons, and music is offered at GCSE and A level.
Art. Drawing, painting, print-making, ceramics and sculpture may all be taken up both in and out of school hours in an outstanding department. The department also has its own exhibition gallery and regular life-drawing classes.
Drama. The School has three performance spaces: the Memorial Hall, the Shepherd Hall and the smaller, more flexible Drama Centre. There are various productions through the year giving opportunities for acting and backstage skills.
Clubs and societies. Over 80 flourishing clubs and societies are available, including chess, debating and magazine editing. The Community Action programme has over 100 regular participants.
Travel and expeditions. Opportunities for trips and tours have included skiing trips, Classics trips to Greece, trekking in Morocco, a sports tour to South Africa and the USA, among many others.
The Friends of St Peter’s. Parents are encouraged to join the Friends, a society whose aim is to promote a close relationship between parents and staff.
Fees per term (2026–2027). Full Boarding: £16,030–£13,530, Non-EEA Full Boarding: £17,270–£14,590, Day: £9,360–£7,890. Tuition fees include the costs of stationery and textbooks. There are no compulsory extras except for examination fees. Lunches are included in day fees. Fees subject to change. Fees include VAT.
Scholarships and bursaries. Help with Fees (means tested) is available at 11+ and 16+. Full particulars on Help with Fees and scholarships are available from the Admissions Team, Tel: 01904 527300 or email: admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk. Charitable status. St Peter’s School, York, is a Registered Charity, number 1141329.
Governors & Staff:
Board of Governors:
Chairman: Ms C Baker
Vice Chair: Ms C Smart
Members of the Board:
Mr A Ahmad
Ms J Black
Ms H Booth
Ms H Chamberlain
Ms J Copley-Farnell
Dr N Durham
Dr S Hinchliffe
Revd Canon J Milne
Mr N O'Loughlin
Mr C Recchia
Sir J Townsley
Dr H Wilson
Clerk to the Board: Ms K Hodges
Head Master: Mr J M P Walker, MA Oxford, MA London
Head of the Senior School: Mrs T Allain, BA
Chief Operating Officer: Mrs R Desport, BSc
Pastoral Deputy: Mr B White, BA
Academic Deputy: Dr R K Boddy, BSc, PhD
Director of Finance: Mrs R Johnson, BA, FCA
Head of Educational Excellence: Mrs A M Clarke, MA, PGCE, BA
Head Master’s EA: Mrs C E McTurk, Ms S Kelly [Maternity Cover]
The Junior School:
Head: Mr P C Hardy, BA, PGCE
Pastoral Deputy of the Junior School: Mrs J Salisbury
Early Years Deputy: Mrs H Alexander
Deputy Head, Co-curricular: Mr N Savage
Deputy Head, Academic: Mr E Duncan
A full staff list is available on the school website.