The Minster School, York


The Minster School was 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. The building is Grade II listed and has since been redeveloped as a restaurant, the York Minster Refectory.
The Choir School moved to St Peter's School, York in September 2020.

Location

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 III on Maundy Thursday 2023.

History

The school traced 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 had a strong focus on music and, of the 180 pupils, 40 were 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 TV 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 in a staff area on school premises. The Dean of York faced protests by parents supportive of the staff and angry at the manner of the suspension.
Faull was criticised by some for her heavy-handed approach towards the matter. Two of the suspended staff were subsequently reinstated, while the headteacher remained barred from the school. Donaldson, who had worked at the school for several decades, formally stepped down from his position in November 2018. Prior to the May 2018 suspensions, it was reported that the headteacher, Alex Donaldson, had been asked to step down by the Chapter of York and had been offered a severance package, according to parents involved in the matter.

Closure

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 keep the school open. The school closed at the end of the Summer Term that year. Choristers were transferred to St Peter's School and other pupils were left to find alternative schools.
Following the school’s closure in 2020, planning applications were submitted to convert the former Minster School building to commercial and community uses. The proposals included the change of use of the Grade II-listed former school to a restaurant with a new kitchen, plant and service doors, the creation of level access and a platform lift, internal alterations and re-roofing, and the integration of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof. The plans also involved external repairs and landscaping improvements including public open space, cycle parking and associated amenities. Parts of the school were turned into office space for Minster staff. The conversion and building work is thought to have cost several million pounds.