A warm welcome to St Peter’s School, York!

We are delighted St Peter’s School in York was able to step in following the sad closure of The Minster School. The Minster’s boy and girl choristers have settled in quickly and are now back singing. 

The connection between St Peter’s School and York Minster can be traced back to the year 627 AD, when the School and the Minster were founded in the same year and on the same site by St Paulinus of York. Today, it is the second oldest choir school in England after King’s School Rochester (604AD) and the fourth oldest school in the world. 

St Peter’s is a leading co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2-18 and enjoys a 47 acre campus in the heart of York. It’s just round the corner from The Minster so a short walk for around 50 boy and girl choristers to and from rehearsals and services! Well-known alumni include Guy Fawkes, composer John Barry, cricketer Johnny Bairstow, sports presenter Katherine Downes, and actors Greg Wise and Fleur Keith.

Jeremy Walker, Head Master of St Peter’s School, said: “St Peter’s and York Minster have a shared foundation dating back to 627AD and this new venture represents something of a homecoming as we approach our 1,400th anniversary in 2027.

“We were greatly saddened by the closure of The Minster School earlier this year, but it has been a privilege to welcome choristers and their families to St Peter’s. They have quickly become part of the St Peter’s community and have joined a school which nurtures and celebrates excellence, whether that be in music, academics, sports or all the opportunities we share with our pupils. They and future generations of choristers will be a great addition to the life of St Peter’s.”

Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster, said: “The very sad decision to close The Minster School in the summer is set alongside an excellent opportunity for our choristers to continue to be educated together a short distance away, and for the Minster’s mission and choral tradition to continue to flourish for years to come.”

We look forward to working with Jeremy and his team at St Peter’s!