St Peter’s School, York

St Peter's school – the fourth oldest school in the world and one of the UK's leading schools. It was founded by St Paulinus of York in 627 AD. The school is located on a vast area of ​​20 hectares on the banks of the River Ouse, in the English city of York.

The school's campus is located close to the ancient city walls of York. It is a vibrant city with history and is often named one of the best places to live in the UK. It is home to the magnificent York Minster, museums, theatres, art galleries, and hosts many interesting festivals and events throughout the year. York boasts excellent transport links to other major cities including London, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Tatler magazine writes about the school: “Parents praise teachers for their ability not only to notice the child’s love for the subject, but also to identify weaknesses in order to provide the necessary support. “Traditional, but by no means old-fashioned” The school is constantly evolving to develop a positive work ethic and zest for life in teenagers. Last year's exam results were very good indeed, with 73 per cent of graduates going on to Russell Group universities, including a small group – to Oxbridge.

The school has 1,160 students.

Director (for 2024)

Jeremy Walker, education - Sherborne School; Oxford University; University of London.

Famous school graduates

• John Barry - composer, wrote 11 soundtracks for James Bond films
• Gordon Gibb, businessman, owner of the Flamingo Land Resort theme park and former director of Bradford City Football Club
• Joseph Terry, confectioner who headed the company Joseph Terry & Sons
• William Donkin, Professor of Astronomy, University College, Oxford
• K. Northcote Parkinson, naval historian and author of nearly sixty books, most famously the best-selling Parkinson's Law.
• Helen Austin, athlete (rowing)
• Sam Bond, professional bodybuilder and television presenter
• James Thompson, racing driver
• Henry Dodwell, writer, scientist
• Catherine Downes, TV presenter
• Harry Gration, BBC presenter
• Rob Heaps, actor (films Like My Wife, Good Girls)
• Justin Hill, writer
• Basil Radford, actor (films “The Lady Vanishes”, “In the Dead of Night”)
• Mark Simpson, journalist, writer and television presenter
• Neil Carmichael, MP
• James Clappison, politician and lawyer
• John Mortimer, Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal of Hong Kong
• Walbank Pritt, World War I pilot with five aerial victories

Key factors

• Most students enter top universities in the UK and other countries. Graduates study a wide range of subjects, including medicine, mathematics, law, languages ​​and the arts.
• In addition to studies, the school provides students with exceptional opportunities for development in the fields of music, sports, and art.
• The school is located in a very beautiful place.
• Mission of the school – prepare students for a confident, successful and fulfilling adult life.
• Great importance is attached to the mental health of children. Mental nurse (psychiatric nurse) – key position in the school.

Equipment

St Peter's School has excellent facilities: sports fields, tennis court, award-winning 25-metre swimming pool, fully equipped gym, netball and tennis courts, boat house on the banks of the River Ouse. There are well-equipped scientific laboratories, design and technology classes, a large art studio with its own exhibition gallery, theater studios and the largest music department, a large gym.

The School of Music boasts 13 teaching spaces, including a central concert hall and a newly renovated recording studio. The historic library provides a quiet place for children to study, and the new Pascal Building houses a purpose-built study space for high school students.

The school has its own 24-hour medical center, St Peter's School. It is staffed by a team of qualified nurses and paramedics. The school also employs physiotherapists and psychologists to provide specialized services. There is a dedicated team of mental health specialists.

Program

GCSE

Two-year program to obtain a certificate of educationgeneral secondary education. 6 subjects are required to study, 4 subjects are studied electively.

A-level

Two-year program to prepare for entering the university. Students choose 4 or 5 subjects for in-depth study.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation in a residence in one of 4 houses. The homes are very comfortable, with lounges, study areas, computer labs, music rooms and a fully equipped kitchen that is stocked daily with fruit, cereal, bread, milk and snacks. These are places that provide opportunities for quiet study, as well as relaxation and socializing with friends. Students are accommodated in rooms of several people, in high schools - in single or double rooms. Pupils in the last two classes have more personal space, living one or two people in a room with access to their own study areas.

Sport

The school has 250 sports teams and 15 sports. The school is proud of its sporting tradition and strives to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for everyone, from enthusiastic beginners to top athletes.

Main sports:
Boys: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, rowing.
Girls: hockey, netball, tennis, rowing.

Additional activities

The school has over 60 interest clubs - there is plenty to choose from! The topics of the clubs are very diverse: from journalism to debates. We have our own school radio! Clubs and societies allow students to take on leadership roles and develop real life skills through work experience, the Young Entrepreneurs program and or volunteering. There is an opportunity to join the Combined Cadet Corps and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize program.

The school has one of the largest and most diverse music departments and music plays an important role in school life. Students can join one of the many ensembles or take individual vocal or instrumental lessons. The school has a team of specialists consisting of 25 guest teachers who adapt each lesson to the needs and goals of the student.

The school has small chamber groups for specific instruments, such as a clarinet choir or a string quartet. There are larger ensembles: a brass band or a school choir, which anyone can join. Singing occupies a central place in musical life; in addition to the school choir, there are chapels and a chamber choir.

Theater is very popular at school. The main school production in November features children from a range of age groups and all pupils are invited to audition. Every two years, this production is a musical extravaganza of singing and dancing, performed in collaboration with the school's music department. Students not only act in productions, but also work on the technical team in lighting and sound design, set and costume creation, and as assistant directors. There are trips to professional theater throughout the year, and students can obtain LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Theater) qualifications.

School students take part in dozens of trips throughout the year, including excursions, expeditions of the Duke of Edinburgh, trips to the theater, cinema, and art galleries. Sports tours and ski trips run to Canada, South Africa, Argentina and Barbados, while music tours include destinations such as Paris, New York and Germany. Students can participate in cultural trips and exchange programs, including language trips to Spain and Germany and political tours to Washington DC. During school holidays, excursions with expeditions are organized to such distant countries as India and Morocco.

Cost, 2023-2024

£10,380 - £13,530 per semester (depending on age).
There are 3 semesters in the academic year.

Included in price

• Training
• Accommodation and meals

Additional charge

• Individual music lessons - £33.5 per 40-minute lesson
• Air travel
• Transfers to/from/airport
• Visa
• Educational company services
• Selection of a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of British schoolsы

Impressions of visiting the school

Natalia Shtrain
Founder of the company "Paradise"

At 2027 St. Peter's York turns 1400 years old. So that you understand: the Old Russian state was formed in 862. That is, St. Peter’s, already 235 years before this event, was rustling the pages of prehistoric books, teaching young ragamuffins Latin and the law of God mixed together. Stunning!

Three directors of this school were canonized! I wish I could keep the establishment afloat for so many centuries! However, in our country, a small business that has survived for a couple of decades is already a saint... Remember Guy Fawkes? The same one who tried to blow up parliament and gave us bonfire night on November 5th? Graduate of St. Peter's!

“Why Latin in the 21st century? “, - I ask a lean teacher-prankster with an accent of the ruling classes and the bright surname Noah-Scott. “Don’t worry, the guys from the former Union are not threatened by my subject. Instead - classical civilization. In general, Latin is the root of languages, erudition, the ability to debate and focus.”

In St. Peter’s, it’s not easy or difficult to do: in English by the age of 13, it is advisable to tweet lively and be friends with mathematics. An intelligence test cannot be avoided either. If it is there, but the language is lame, they will take it: potential is more important.

Here they will not remember the problems with the adaptation of children from our region: ONLY THOSE WHO WANT TO STUDY ENTER THIS SCHOOL. Two years ago, two Russians lived in Ed’s house (he is also the Housemaster, that is, the “father” of 30 boys). My heart skips a beat when “dad” pronounces their surnames, which are difficult for an Englishman: Konstantinov and Kondratyev. In principle, I might not even remember: children here are called exclusively by their first names!

One of ours, a boy named Petya, arrived at 13 and fell in love with rugby. He brought victories to the school in the international arena. I entered the University of York to study economics, it’s just a stone’s throw away. York, by the way, is part of the Russell group, the most prestigious 24 universities in the country. The second, Daniil, was known as a brilliant pianist and went into biotechnology. And this is the norm: one-sidedness is not a trend now.

In St. Peter's guys have perfect manners. "Hello, sir. How are you doing? Can I borrow a book? Thank you sir". Young people are serious and helpful. Etiquette is respect for another person. St. Peter's will appeal to those who care about this. I like it very much

I wonder what kind of child will flourish here. Someone who is READY to TRY NEW, DIFFERENT things. Dip your toe into everything you can, as the English say.

Schools in the city, in theory, should be cramped, because land is expensive and in short supply. But no, there’s plenty of everything here: rugby and hockey fields can’t be seen, they go beyond the horizon! A boat station, a swimming pool, a music school, a design workshop, a huge art studio with a gallery, a grandiose brand new training center named after Pascal, a gym, a gym, a theater... whoever needs it, they will whip up the horses. Just want it, child!

And also mental health - MENTAL HEALTH. They rush around with him like a chicken and an egg. Taking care of children's feelings is a new phenomenon, because back in the 80s it was not forbidden to beat children. Nowadays mental nurse (psychiatric nurse? It seems there is no equivalent in Russian) is a key position.

Yes, the British school carefully carries the heritage of eras through the centuries. That doesn’t stop her from marching in the column of the avant-garde. Almost an oxymoron - A combination of rigor and friendliness, victories in sports and at the desk, ancient and progressive - all this is St. Peter's.

Classes that are cool.