Campus
What are the main changes planned for the Senior School campus?
We are working with a group of architects and educational specialists to ensure the campus will not only fully accommodate the needs of the Senior School but also improve existing facilities.
One of the biggest changes will be the creation of a Sixth Form Centre which is planned to be on the site currently occupied by St Peter’s 2-8. Whilst Sixth Formers will still be fully part of the senior school, the centre allows us to give them bespoke study, research, advice, dining and recreational spaces. This will provide an important stepping stone for them as they consider their options after they leave St Peter’s.
We also hope to create a new mezzanine floor in the Senior School Library allowing us to zone spaces for research, teaching, private and group study, reading for pleasure and relaxation.
Indoor and outdoor social areas will also be set aside for Years 7 to 11 to relax and take breaks. This will also assist with integration of new pupils. Subjects requiring specific facilities such as science and ICT will have access to additional classrooms and all departments will be located as teaching hubs to ensure that pupils can move around the campus with ease and for teachers to have ready access to their classrooms and preparation spaces. We also have plans to enhance library and study spaces alongside additional spaces for teaching and support staff working areas.
Less exciting but entirely necessary updates and increases will be made to changing rooms, storage and toilets and the current 13-18 dining room will be remodelled to create greater capacity.
How will the Junior School look and feel?
We are also working with the architects and educational specialists to convert the current 8-13 site into a bespoke Junior School. Nursery, Reception and the youngest year groups will continue to have large, bright classrooms with full outside access to dedicated outdoor learning areas. Older children in the junior school will have access to specialist teaching spaces as well as familiar classroom settings. The junior school will have its own libraries, sports facilities, dining room, hall, medical centre and wellbeing hub and we are going to reconfigure the front of the building to create a new welcoming experience for pupils, parents and visitors. Staff spaces will be refurbished to create social spaces and quiet work areas.
How will building work take place without disrupting education over the next two years?
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
A building and estates plan is already in place to ensure that as much major work as possible takes place during school holidays and with minimum disruption. Where some works will need to take place during term time, alternative provision will be in place to minimise disruption.
What has happened about the planning application for a new entrance to the school and to increase sports facilities?
We are still waiting for the city council to consider our application which is now expected to go to the Planning Committee in the Autumn of 2023. We have been working with all statutory and other bodies to ensure it meets all regulatory requirements. In the meantime, all of our plans are able to continue within the current structure of our campus.
Academic
Will you be investing in IT in the school?
We have an extensive IT strategy in place, beginning with equipment and classroom upgrades from the summer of 2023. Teachers have been equipped with new laptops and iPads – and are receiving training to maximise their use - with connectivity to classrooms and all areas of the school. This opens up much more use of technology in the classroom to support teaching. We will then assess the technology our pupils use, in and outside the classroom, to ensure that they are getting the very best experience. Alongside this, computer science, robotics and other STEM related subjects continue to grow at the school.
What is happening with Saturday School?
At the moment, we do not plan to have any Saturday school for children in the Junior School (Nursery to Year 6). There may be occasional events for sport, music and drama on a Saturday morning.
Years 7 and 8 would have lessons on Saturday mornings and finish at lunchtime.
Year 9 upwards would have lessons on Saturday mornings followed by a full sports and cocurricular programme in the afternoon, in line with the present structure of the week.
How will music and academic scholarships work?
We have no plans to change the way pupils are selected for music awards and honorary academic scholarships.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
As pupils move through Year 7 and 8, we will work with those who wish to be put forward for music awards and prepare them for their auditions. New starters joining the school in Year 9 and Sixth Form will also have the opportunity to audition.
Honorary academic scholarships will continue to be awarded based on academic achievement to pupils moving into Year 9 and Sixth Form.
Will there be an increase in the amount of prep (homework) for Year 7 and Year 8?
No. Pupils at St Peter’s are very busy and work incredibly hard. Prep will be balanced with their school day commitments as it always has been.
Will lessons be taught by subject specialists in the junior school?
The Junor School children will be taught by a class teacher with support from teaching assistants and they will have access to specialist teachers and facilities.
The number and range of specialist lessons will increase as children move through the year groups appropriate to their age.
Will the thematic learning approach continue throughout the junior school?
Children in EYFS will be taught through the current interest and play based learning model. Children in Years 1-4 will be taught through an immersive thematic learning model and in Years 5-6 children will have the opportunity to learn via an enquiry project-based model for a portion of their week to enable them to develop key transferable skills such as creative thinking, problem solving and collaboration. This will involve partnership working with local businesses and organisations providing real world experiences and contributing the local community.
Pastoral
Will the year groups and class sizes be getting bigger?
There are no plans to increase class sizes, which vary throughout a pupil’s time in the school from around 18 in EYFS and 20 in Key Stage 1 to around 22 in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. Once pupils begin GCSE and A Level studies, class sizes vary according to subject choices and ability with a typical maximum of 23 at GCSE and 15 at A Level.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
We aim to have each of our year groups at their optimal capacity. Most are at capacity at the moment.
How will you ensure that children don’t miss out when they reach Year 8?
We know how special it is for children to reach the end of St Peter’s 8-13 and enjoy exciting trips, leadership opportunities and privileges. For pupils reaching this important milestone in 2025 and 2026, we will make sure that they do not miss out , as well as making the transition to the senior school, we also will recognise all that they have achieved. We plan to keep activities including residential trips, the citizenship award, the enterprise fair, the end of year celebration and House responsibilities for them. As we go through the planning and implementation process, we look forward to hearing any new suggestions from pupils and colleagues on how we can make that year really special.
How will the school gather for assemblies, Chapel services and other regular events?
We have plans in place for how we will run assemblies and Chapel services. For the Junior School, all pupils will be able to gather in the Shepherd Hall for assemblies and the Chaplain will oversee gatherings both at the junior school site and in the Chapel.
For the senior school, Chapel services and assemblies will be run by age groupings and by House. This means that they will gather in large numbers while also creating increased opportunities for House meetings and tutorial time.
It has been many years since the whole St Peter’s community has been able to gather together in one of the school buildings and we will continue to use York Minster and other venues in the city on special occasions to bring the whole school together.
Will the House system still exist?
Yes, the House system is integral to the experience of St Peter’s. Pupils in the senior school will join a House comprised of pupils from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth with a Tutor for their year group, overseen by Houseparents and Assistant Houseparents as happens at present.
House staff will provide the core of senior pupils’ pastoral care as they do now. We will continue to have House leadership opportunities for the oldest pupils and will explore opportunities for younger leadership opportunities. Houses will retain and develop their distinct identity and regularly gather as they always have done and no doubt, the friendly rivalry between them will be as strong as ever!
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
The Junior School will also have their own version of the House system which will work alongside and compliment the pastoral care from class teachers. The House system will provide leadership opportunities, enable pupils from all year groups to mix regularly and form the basis for house competitions, events and the reward system. The current House names at 8-13 will stay in the Junior School.
How much independence will older children in the junior school have?
As children grow up and develop through the junior school, they will be given increasing independence to ensure that they navigate the school site effectively, complete prep and wider study, participate in sports fixtures, music and drama alongside the full co-curricular programme. We are also planning some early opportunities for leadership. This will all be done at an appropriate pace and will prepare them for the transition to the senior school.
How will children in Year 7 and Year 8 cope with being in the same part of the school as the Sixth Form, with much older pupils?
Timetabling and room allocation is being planned very carefully to ensure that the transition to the senior school is as smooth and as reassuring as possible for the youngest year groups. Whilst it is important that they see the Sixth Formers in leadership positions and as role models, we are also aware that they need time to adjust being in the senior school. Meals and breaks will be taken in different places and pupils will have designated recreation spaces based on their age and stage in the school.
What will be the approach to discipline in the school?
School discipline will remain based on upholding our values and approaches will reflect the age and development of children as they grow through the school. The leadership and pastoral teams in the Junior and Senior schools will work together closely to ensure that there is a consistent and appropriate approach as children move through the school.
Will school food be appropriate for the different ages in the junior and senior school?
We will be using existing dining facilities at 8-13 for the Junior School. In the Senior School, we are upgrading the main dining room and will be using the current dining facilities for 2-8 for Sixth Form meals, a café and other activities. Underpinning this is a commitment to ensuring that the most effective and appropriate provision is made for all pupils We are always committed to provided tasty and nutritional meals to fuel the busy lives our pupils lead and welcome feedback on menus during and after the transition to a new structure.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
Will there still be plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved at St Peter’s?
Yes. We value the very special relationship between parents and the school, and this will continue in the new structure. Pupils will be as busy as ever so there will plenty of opportunity to come to the school for sport, music, drama, academic updates, socials and much more. We hope that the parents’ associations will be as active as ever and we always appreciate their support.
In addition, we will always have clear pastoral structures so that if parents are worried or have questions, there will always be someone to talk to who knows them and their child really well.
Uniform
What will the new uniform be like?
We are looking forward to sharing the new uniform designs later this term and hearing your views. It will be available to buy after Easter 2024. We have worked hard with colleagues, pupils and School Blazer to ensure that it is practical, hardwearing, cost effective and distinctive.
Will the new uniform be more expensive?
We are working hard with our uniform supplier, School Blazer, to keep the costs of uniform down and keep it as simple as we can, whilst making it a distinctive and recognisable part of St Peter’s. We will continue to have a mix of compulsory items alongside items available on the high street. We are also focused on quality to ensure that items can be handed down or sold in the second-hand shop.
What will happen to the old uniform?
The new uniform will be introduced alongside the old uniform from September 2024. New starters, and any current pupils who wish to do so, will wear the new uniform from that point with everyone moving to the new uniform from September 2025. School Blazer are committed to sustainability and will be collecting all uniform which will be either donated to projects in other countries or recycled.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
Co-Curricular
Will there still be sporting opportunities in the Junior School?
Yes. The new structure of our sports and PE department means that we can develop a dedicated sports programme, working alongside specialist coaches and the rest of the sports leadership team.
How will individual music lessons take place?
There will be no change to music lessons, and we anticipate that more children than ever will benefit from instrument and voice tuition from our peripatetic teachers. Both the junior and senior schools will have dedicated space for music lessons.
Where will individual music lessons take place?
The campus plan includes provision for music lessons and practice.
York Minster Choristers
How will it work for York Minster Choristers spread across two schools?
We do not envisage any change for the years in which pupils are York Minster Choristers. We have established effective routines to ensure Choristers can balance a full experience of school life alongside the choir duties. We plan to have clear structures to oversight the experience of Choristers once they are educated in the Junior and Senior Schools. Pupils in Year 7 and 8 will continue to rehearse and walk to the Minster with the younger choristers. We will be working with Senior School teachers to emphasise the importance of balancing choristers’ duties with a full and exciting time at school.
Will choristers continue receive the York Minster fee subsidy throughout their choristership (Y4 to Y8)?
Yes. At present, when choristers reach the final year of their time in York Minster Choir, their families are given information on applying for music awards and means-tested bursaries to ensure that there are no financial barriers to remain at St Peter’s This will continue to be the case in the new structure. We anticipate that the transition from being a Chorister will be supported even more effectively than at present as they will have already been in the senior school for two years.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
Admissions
What will the experience be for pupils joining the school in Year 9?
We will always welcome day and boarding pupils into Year 9 and know that this is particularly important for those joining from our feeder 13+ Prep Schools. They will always form an important part of our school community and we will ensure that the bespoke processes for admissions, induction and welcome into Year 9 continue for our prep feeder schools. The Deputy Head and Assistant Deputy Head for the Lower School will take particular responsibility for helping children who join in Years 7, 8 and 9 settle into the school. We already have experience of welcoming a number of new pupils into Year 10 (Fourth Form) and many colleagues have previously worked in senior schools with entry points at Year 7, 9, 10 and Sixth Form.
How will new boarding pupils settle into Year 9?
Boarding pupils have always joined throughout the school, and we have a long tradition of welcoming new starters into boarding in Year 9 and Year 10. Our warm welcome and experience of settling in new boarders will not change as Houseparents are always mindful of the transition to a new school and a new boarding House. House staff will be assisted by senior pupils and experienced boarders, as well as the full pastoral team at the senior school.
Will pupils in Year 6 at St Peter’s Junior School have to take an 11+ exam before moving to the Senior School?
No, they will just move from one section of the school to the next. Pupils are always being assessed on their classwork and through standardised testing and these measures will be used as a benchmark for those sitting entrance assessments to join St Peter’s in Year 7.
How will new starters in Year 7 be integrated in with those moving up from the Junior School?
New starters into Year 7 will have undergone a thorough admissions and induction process before joining the school in order for them to settle in quickly. When we are allocating them to Houses and classes in the Senior School, we will do our best to ensure that they are placed for them to make friends and thrive. We have extensive experience of this already and will build on that in the new structure.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
How will you keep staff, parents and other stakeholders up to date on the changes and give them an opportunity to ask questions?
We are setting up forums for staff to refine all aspects and will be holding regular updates for staff and parents. These will be two-way sessions where we can share the latest news and answer questions. More information will follow on the timing and format of those updates. For those who are unable to attend, we will also be sending out regular email updates as well as keeping our FAQ document up to date.
If you still have questions which we have not answered, the feedback form remains available for you to use.
Communication
