Prep School Brochure

Prep School Events Programme 2024/2025

Welcome and Introduction to our Prep School Programme Jeremy Walker, Headmaster

Founded in AD627, St Peter’s is the fourth oldest school in the world and one of the country’s leading schools.

Our academic results are outstanding, but we believe that independent thinking and a love of learning are just as important as excellent grades.

Here at St Peter’s, there is a real focus on developing intellectual curiosity in the classroom and beyond, with days full of fun, adventure, challenge and new experiences. With our boarding community ever-present, this is a school where being happy and active is a way of life.

Our campus brings the calm which comes from a countryside setting whilst we are just a few minutes from the heart of York, one of the nation’s most beautiful, historical cities and less than 2 hours by train from London. Do come and visit; you can be assured of a warm welcome.

Andy Falconer, Director of External Relations

Andy has been the Director of External Relations since September 2023, following 18 years as Head of St Peter’s 8-13. He has spent his entire teaching career in 13+ prep schools.

“We offer a range of tailored events and activities for pupils from schools across the UK and further afield. We would love to hear from you about the types of workshops, competitions and events that your school would enjoy.

We look forward to welcoming your pupils and staff to St Peter’s during the coming year and we would be delighted if you would like a member of our staff to visit your school to deliver a masterclass or academic lecture of your choosing. While they are there, they can answer any questions your pupils might have about St Peter’s School and boarding life in the beautiful city of York.”

Please contact admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk if you would like Andy to visit your school.

William

Joined St Peter's from Moorlands School

The move to St Peter's felt really natural to me, my previous school fully prepared me for the next steps and I was definitely ready for it.

St Peter's Teachers on Tour

Our experienced academic staff are out on tour!

We can offer a range of subject-specific and stimulating topics to fit in with your curriculum. These can either be delivered in person at your school or on-site at St Peter’s School.

For more information or to book, please use the QR code to visit our website or contact admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk.

Find out more about Teachers on Tour

13+ Academic Scholarships Academic Scholarships at St Peter’s are honorary and awarded at the Head Master’s discretion. For new applicants to Year 9, we would expect excellent marks in the entrance examinations and initial entrance interview. We would discuss this with you for any supplementary information which might be helpful in addition to the normal Head’s reference.

Finally, the applicant would be invited to a Scholarship Interview with the Head before scholarships are awarded around Easter.

Academic Scholars have access to a huge range of academic extension, including lectures, trips, debates and challenges as well as an invitation to the annual Scholars’ Dinner. This has been rewarded with success in the Shine School Media Awards and ESU Debating competitions.

For more information on Scholarships, please visit our website

13+ Music Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to instrumentalists and singers who can offer a broad range of skills to the Music School. Scholarship awards carry a concession on fees and they cover tuition for up to three instruments and examination fees for the duration of the award.

At audition, we expect a good Grade 5 standard on the first instrument and would expect to see a second instrument offered to a similar level for full scholarship, although potential is the most important aspect. The primary purpose of the awards is to provide leaders for our ensemble programme, but many also become confident soloists as well. The ability to play an orchestral/band instrument is essential and singing is an advantage. A good background in music theory is also highly recommended.

Award holders will normally contribute to two ensemble sessions a week for each instrument/voice that is covered under their award. Many of them participate in more sessions than this but this needs to be balanced against their overall co-curricular offering and academic commitments.

For more information on Music Scholarships, please visit our website

Music at St Peter's

St Peter’s Music Department offers a wide range of ensembles and instrumental lesson teaching, spanning the entire orchestra. From our 150 strong school choir to small ensembles, performing music from the early 17th century to exciting new 21st century compositions, there’s always something new and interesting happening around the Department.

Our regular concerts frequently explore all veins of music – our most recent Autumn concert ranged from settings of the Magnificat to arrangements of Bernstein and Mancini.

We frequently tour abroad, having visited Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and recently we performed across New York!

Our instrumental teachers are experienced musicians, and every term we offer ABRSM music exams for pupils, with almost 100% of our students passing across all grades. With more than 200 students involved in Music in the Senior School, there’s something for everyone.

Join us for interactive music sessions with Paul Miles-Kingston, Director of Music

We invite wind instrument players to join a Swing Band rehearsal on a Tuesday lunchtime and singers are welcome to attend a Chapel Choir rehearsal on a Friday. A buffet lunch will be served prior to both.

Please email admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk to find out more about the music sessions we can offer.

St Peter's Sport

St Peter’s has an enormous breadth of sporting activity with pupils participating in high numbers and at all levels from beginner to elite.

This is evidenced in our fixtures programme where we routinely put out three or four teams for each of the main sports, and also in the success we enjoy.

St Peter’s are currently the national T20 schools’ cricket champions and have been in national finals for hockey, rowing, tennis, swimming, rugby and netball in the last few years.

We are very proud of our sports programme and offer every pupil the opportunity to maximise their potential, whether they are a complete beginner or aspiring for national teams.

Join us for interactive sports sessions with Chris McTurk, Director of Sport

If your school would like a session on any sport organised and run by our specialist Sports staff, we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in hearing about any of the tournaments organised by St Peter's, please also get in touch with admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk.

Find out more about Sport at St Peter's

St Peter's Experience Days

We are delighted to invite you to bring your pupils to experience what life at St Peter's has to offer. The day can be tailor-made to suit you.

Choose from a range of exciting and interactive workshops, academic talks, creative lessons and much more.

During your visit we will give you a tour of the school and there will be many opportunities to chat with our staff and pupils thoughout the day.

Please email us at admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk for further information.

St Peter's Boarding

St Peter's is not just a school where pupils come every day to learn; it is also home to a number of pupils who board full time, part-time or just for the occasional night.

Being part of our boarding community allows pupils to dedicate more time to the things they love, putting them in the best position to take advantage of all St Peter's School has to offer.

From 2025 we will have four boarding Houses, two girl's Houses and two boy's Houses, split by Years 7 -11 and Sixth Form.

For more information on Boarding at St Peter's please visit our website

More time for the things you love

Anna, Year 11 part time boarder

I enjoy boarding part-time, as I have my own space which feels just like a home away from home.

On the nights I board, I have more time to spend with my friends, rather than on a long commute.

I chose St Peter's because of the combination of the strong academics and sporting opportunities.

Hear from our pupils Charlotte

Joined St Peter's from The Gleddings Preparatory School

I joined St Peter's in J4/Year 7 from a prep school. I didn't know anyone at the school but very quickly I made lots of new friends and settled in well. Everyone was so welcoming and warm towards me. I enjoyed LAMDA and taking part in regular sports fixtures which helped me develop team skills.

Aisha

Joined St Peter's from Moorlands School

My mentoring group have been so helpful, they have really looked out for me and have helped me settle in to a much bigger school.

I love the food at St Peter's! I've also joined the school orchestra and am taking music theory lessons.

Rosa

Joined St Peter's from Terrington Hall

I joined St Peter's in Year 9 and board three nights per week.

Boarding at St Peter's is so much fun, it's like a big family.

William

Joined St Peter's from Moorlands School

The move to St Peter's felt really natural to me, my previous school fully prepared me for the next steps and I was definitely ready for it. I am really enjoying all the opportunities available to me, especially in sport.

Zack

Joined St Peter's from Richmond House

Joining St Peter's has given me so many more options and opportunities.

I knew a couple of people when I started but everyone has been so welcoming.

Zav

Joined St Peter's from Aysgarth

My first few weeks at St Peter’s and at boarding have been really fun and enjoyable. I have made some really nice friends and I have been getting used to lessons really well.

Mr Battersby is a really good house parent.

Melissa

Joined St Peter's from Richmond House

The pupils at St Peter's have been so helpful in helping me settle in to a much bigger school. My buddy always made sure I got where I needed to be. I've really enjoyed playing in sports fixtures.

Lewis

Joined St Peter's from Kingshott School

I joined St Peter's in Year 9 from a school in Hertfordshire and finding your type of people is easy with such a plethora of activities.

Drama productions at St Peter's are my favourite; it's always Go Big or Go Home and all activities at St Peter's are filled with effort. It did not take long to find the things I love, and with that, the people I now call my friends.

Extend your stay in York Our beautiful campus is just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of York and the York Railway Station.

The walled city of York is one of England’s oldest, and is renowned for its heritage and unique architecture. Why not extend your stay and visit one of the many exciting tourist attractions or museums, all of which provide incredible learning experiences.

The fantastic YHA in York is located just round the corner from St Peter’s School and 15 minutes’ walk from the city centre; an ideal location to base your stay.

Do come and visit – you can be assured of a warm Yorkshire welcome.

Visit Us

Enjoy a tour of our school with our current pupils, meet our friendly staff and teachers, and explore our 50-acre campus.

To request a visit please visit our website

St Peter's School, York, YO30 6AB 01904 527300

Registered Charity Number: 1141329

admissions@stpeteryork.org.uk www.stpetersyork.org.uk