Pupils at St Peter’s share a love of learning and we aim to inspire and challenge our pupils both in and out of the classroom.
Our vast Academic Extension programme allows pupils to get the very best out of themselves and the learning environment. From academic clubs and societies to national competitions, we offer plenty of opportunities for pupils to enhance their knowledge and discover academic pursuits beyond the curriculum.
We also run a successful Sixth Form Extension programme to prepare our pupils for further study after school.
Clubs & Societies
There are over 80 different co-curricular opportunities at St Peter’s, including several subject-specialist clubs and societies. The Science Society is very popular with our pupils, as well as the Art Society and the Debating Society. Pupils with a passion for a specific subject are also encouraged to set up their own clubs and societies or join the Sirius Society.
The Sirius Society, named after our Headmaster of 1094, is a pupil-led society launched in 2020. Members of the Sirius Society generate ideas for talks, trips, discussion groups and clubs that will further their understanding of subjects and inform vocational choices.
Sirius means ‘bright, shining star’ in Latin and the Sirius Society provides a platform for our pupils to shine as independent thinkers. The Society is chaired by a Lower Sixth pupil and supported by Ambassadors who have a particular passion for certain subjects or vocational areas such as Law, Medicine, Engineering or Marketing. Ambassadors are encouraged to organise events and discussions alongside teaching staff specialists for the benefits of all pupils at St Peter’s 13-18.
Competitions
Our pupils regularly compete in national competitions as well as Inter-House competitions in school. By competing against others, our pupils gain confidence whilst developing essential skills which are needed for life beyond school, including resilience, critical-thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and initiative.
Academic Scholars
Our academic scholars are awarded with honorary scholarships as a result of their outstanding academic achievements and potential. Our honorary scholars enjoy a range of benefits including the annual Scholars’ Dinner and the opportunity to prepare and deliver lectures as part of our Laurentius Lecture Series.
Laurentius Lectures
The Laurentius Lectures provide an opportunity for Academic Scholars at St Peter’s to share ideas on topics that are of interest to them. Pupils deliver a short lecture of fifteen minutes to their peer group, the Head Master, the Head of Scholars and members of staff with a particular speciality in a given area, followed by questions from the floor. Any Scholar from Third Form upwards is invited to speak and the lectures are open to pupils and staff, enabling scholars to develop their research and presentation skills as they prepare for further study beyond St Peter’s.
York ISSP
St Peter's is proud to be part of York Independent State School Partnership.
The partnership, involving a number of independent and state sector schools from York, was started in 2007 as a way of providing new opportunities for secondary-school aged children in the city. Pupils from St Peter’s School are invited to join the annual Masterclass programme, and St Peter’s supports the partnership in a number of ways. Visit our Community pages to learn more about our involvement with York ISSP.
Please visit the ISSP website to find out more about the courses and opportunities on offer to St Peter’s pupils this academic year.