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The Minster School, York

The Minster School was an independent preparatory school[5] 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,[6] until in June 2020 it was announced that the school would close at the end of that term.[7] The building is Grade II listed[8] and has since been redeveloped as a restaurant, the York Minster Refectory.[9]

The Minster School
Address
Map
8 Minster Yard

York
,
North Yorkshire
,
YO1 7JA

England
Coordinates53°57′42″N 1°04′51″W / 53.961716°N 1.080791°W / 53.961716; -1.080791
Information
Type
Religious affiliation(s)Church of England
Established1903,[1] but traces its origins back to 627[2]
FounderPaulinus of York[2]
Closed2020
Department for Education URN121731 Tables
Head teacherAngela Mitchell [3]
GenderMixed
Age3 to 13[4]
Enrolment161[4]
Websitewww.minsterschoolyork.co.uk

The Choir School moved to St Peter's School, York in September 2020.[10]

Location

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The school occupied today's 8 Minster Yard, part of a complex of buildings in York, directly across from the York Minster.

The building was converted into the York Minster Refectory after the school's closure, and was opened by King Charles on Maundy Thursday 2023.

History

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The building on the right (today's 9 Minster Yard) is one of the school's former constituent buildings. Built around 1755 for dean John Fountayne. The Roman column is also in view

The school traced its origins to a "song school" founded in 627 by Paulinus of York, the first Archbishop of York,[2][11] however the current school was re-founded in 1903.[2] The Minster School had a strong focus on music and, of the 180 pupils, 40 were choristers at York Minster.[11]

Buildings used by the school have been awarded listed status, among them the school house built 1830–1833,[12] two houses dating back to 1837,[13] and a Georgian building of 1755.[14]

The school buildings were used to depict the House of Lords in the 2016 TV series Victoria.[15]

Suspension of staff in 2018

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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.[16] The Dean of York faced protests by parents supportive of the staff and angry at the manner of the suspension.[17][18]

Closure

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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. In June 2020, the Minster announced that due to the shortfall caused by the lack of visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic it was unable to continue assisting the school. The school closed at the end of the Summer Term that year, and new places were found elsewhere for their existing pupils.[19]

References

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  1. ^ Roden, John (2005). The Minster School, York: A Centenary History 1903-2004. York: Sacram Publishing. p. 1. ISBN 0-9535775-1-1.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Minster School: Standard Inspection" (PDF). Independent Schools Inspectorate. 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Welcome from the Head Teacher". The Minster School. The Minster School. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b "The Minster School - GOV.UK - Find and compare schools in England". Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  5. ^ Prest, Victoria (12 January 2016). "Minster School plans expansion into neighbouring building". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  6. ^ "York Minster recruiting boy choristers". Minster FM. York. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Shock as The Minster School is closed – as York Minster suffers a 'catastrophic loss of income'". YorkMix. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  8. ^ Historic England. "Minster Song School (part) (1257259)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  9. ^ "York Minster Refectory | York Restaurant | British-style favourites". York Minster Refectory. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ^ Kelly, Rosalind (5 September 2022). "York Minster". York Minster. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b "History". The Minster School. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  12. ^ Historic England (14 June 1954). "Minster Song School (Part), York (1257229)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  13. ^ Historic England (14 June 1954). "Minster Song School (Part), York (1257259)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  14. ^ Historic England (14 June 1954). "Minster Song School (Part), York (1257261)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  15. ^ Liptrot, Kate (27 August 2016). "York and Jenna Coleman star in ITV's Victoria". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  16. ^ Ward, Victoria (29 May 2018). "Dean of York faces revolt as three senior teachers are suspended from private school over 'unsecured' air rifles". The Daily Telegraph. York. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  17. ^ "Parents stage protest demanding the reinstatement of York school head teacher". York Mix. York. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  18. ^ "York Minster School air rifles: Parents support teachers". 30 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  19. ^ "York Minster prep school to close through 'lack of funds'". BBC News. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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