St Peter’s School is one of the oldest schools in the world, with a long and eventful history. We are proud of our rich heritage, dating back to AD627, and our 1,400-year association with York Minster and the city of York.
A brief history of St Peter's
In AD627 St Paulinus came to York and founded what has become today St Peter’s and York Minster. Over the next century, the school evolved to incorporate a highly esteemed library, which would attract visitors from across Europe, an appeal strengthened by the appointment of York’s renowned scholar, Alcuin, as Head Master in AD778. Alcuin was appointed by Charlemagne to establish ‘the York model’ across the Holy Roman Empire. Pupils studied a varied and well-rounded curriculum that continues to this day and gives St Peter’s a place in the history of education globally.
Throughout the years our pupils have become internationally regarded musicians, sportspeople, poets, politicians, academics and actors, as well as becoming significant contributors to the wider York community. St Peter’s took up its current site on the banks of the Ouse in 1838.
In our 1400th year, we are excited to be executing another important transition for the school; moving to two parts with one coherent learning journey - St Peter’s Senior School and Junior School. We will also welcome the new Sixth Form Centre and The Rise Nursery. In making this change we will ensure that we retain all that makes St Peter’s special, and that we hold on to our spirit through our most important traditions whilst improving the school to future generations.
The St Peter's School, York Historical Timeline
St Peter’s School Archives
Whilst St Peter’s has a long and eventful history, most of the materials contained in the archive date from the occupation of the current site (c1844).
The School aims to collect materials relating to the history of the school and its former pupils. Most of the earlier surviving documents relating to St Peter’s can be found in the York Minster Archives (records of the Dean and Chapter).
The most regularly used publications are in the process of being digitised to increase access for former pupils, family historians and researchers worldwide. You can view our digital archive by registering here.
For quick access to past copies of the Peterite, click here.
If you have any information or questions about the archive, please contact our volunteer Archivist John Armstrong or Anthony Robinson at [email protected].
Click here to view a list of previous Head Masters.