It’s that time of year again when many schools open their doors to welcome prospective parents to have a look around. Details of all the open events for state schools in York can be found here (primary schools) and here (secondary schools) – there are too many for us to list! As for the independent schools in and around York, here are the all-important details and their latest news.

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

Just off the A59 and set in 220 acres of countryside between York and Harrogate, QE is an award-winning, co-educational school for children from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from Year 3. Known for its high-ranking academic results, QE College and QE Faculty were ranked 1st and 2nd for A Levels in Yorkshire (Telegraph’s Independent School Exam Results 2024). In the Sunday Times Parent Power 2024, QE College placed 2nd nationally for A Level results, 18th nationally for all-round academic performance, and was named Top School in The North for Academic Performance.

QE emphasises growing students into resilient, caring, compassionate and confident adults with many students beginning their journey in Chapter House Prep or King’s Magna Middle School. It offers over 100 clubs onsite, making use of its exceptional facilities including 30 acres of elite grass and 3G pitches, a 25m swimming pool and a 314-seat professional theatre.  

QE’s excellent pastoral team are available 24/7, ensuring mental health remains a top priority. QE’s Inspection Report (ISI, 2023) commented that “Pupils feel that their opinions matter and that leaders are alert to their welfare needs, which promotes their self-esteem.”  www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | +44 (0) 1423 333330 

St Peter’s School, York

With 50 green acres in the heart of York, St Peter’s School offers an award-winning learning environment with extensive space for our pupils to learn, grow and thrive. All children aged 2-18 have access to outstanding facilities, such as a swimming pool, Forest School, industry-recognised sports pitches, fully-equipped science labs, an expansive art studio with its own exhibition gallery, and the largest Music department in the North. Combined with over 80 different co-curricular options across the school, learning opportunities are endless. Our mission is to create amazing adults, who go on to lead happy, successful and fulfilled lives and make a positive impact on the world.

Enrolment in our Nursery or Reception begins your child’s exciting journey through to our oversubscribed school, but we also welcome applications at Year 4 (with places prioritised for York Minster Choristers), Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form.

We would be delighted to welcome you to our upcoming Open Days, or arrange a personal tour. Please visit our website to register: www.stpetersyork.org.uk/admissions/visit-us

The Mount School, York

Curiosity leads the way at The Mount Junior School! 

It is an exciting period of change at The Mount Junior School as they recently welcomed boys from Pre-School into Reception and this happy, co-educational class is flourishing.  Across the Junior School children take part in a bespoke Explore, Discover, Create curriculum. This is an innovative way of harnessing children’s natural curiosity and making learning what it should be – fun!  

“At the Mount we foster individuality, we know no two children are the same. Every child learns in a different way and so our curriculum and teaching offers children the opportunity to work in depth, giving them the time, they need to reflect, consolidate and transfer their learning,” explains Rachel Capper Head of The Mount Junior School.  

The school’s pupil-led approach ensures children develop the confidence and independence to question, cultivate and articulate their own opinions and ideas.  

“The ‘Creative Curriculum’ is all about Creative Thinking, exploring, discovering and creating with your mind. It is about encouraging the children to think outside the box, giving them opportunities to develop and express themselves, and their ideas, in new ways. In fact, we don’t just encourage children to think outside the box, we encourage them to destroy the box!”  

The Mount School, Dalton Terrace, York YO24 4DD