The Minster School, York


The Minster School, York is an independent preparatory school for children aged 3–13 in York, England. It was founded to educate choristers at York Minster and continued to do so, although no longer exclusively, until in June 2020 it was announced that the school would close at the end of that term.

Location

The school occupies a complex of buildings on Deangate and Minster Yard in York, directly across from the York Minster.

History

The school traces its origins to a "song school" founded in 627 by Paulinus of York, the first Archbishop of York, however the current school was re-founded in 1903. The Minster School has a strong focus on music and, of the 180 pupils, 40 are choristers at York Minster.
Buildings used by the school have been awarded listed status, among them the school house built 1830–1833, two houses dating back to 1837, and a Georgian building of 1755.
The school buildings were used to depict the House of Lords in the 2016 series Victoria.

Suspension of staff in 2018

In May 2018, the school attracted national press attention when the headmaster and two other senior members of staff were suspended after three unsecured air rifles were found on school premises. The Dean of York faced protests by parents supportive of the staff and angry at the manner of the suspension.

Closure

The school had relied upon income from York Minster, however the Minster's budget for 2020 had been based on expected tourist income in the coming year. When the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to this the Minster was unable to continue assisting the school. Therefore the school had to announce that it would be closing for good at the end of the Summer Term 2020. They will help to find new places elsewhere for their students. There is now an announcement about the proposals on the school website.