?Older than the House of Commons, older than the Universities, older than the Lord Mayoralty, older even than the throne or nation itself.? Arthur F Leach, Fortnightly Review, November 1892
Founded in 627 AD, with Guy Fawkes among its alumni, St Peter?s School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school (aged 3 -18) close to the centre of the historic City of York.
The first recorded game of cricket played at St Peter?s was in 1853 when the School XI played Pocklington twice, each side winning a game. Cricket now lies at the centre of the sporting calendar in the summer term with competitive fixtures on Saturdays including The Grammar School at Leeds, RGS Newcastle, Ampleforth College, Bradford Grammar School, Pocklington and Hymers College. The fixture list is supported by mid-week games against the MCC, Yorkshire Gents and various school touring sides from the southern hemisphere. The 1st XI play their games on the Main square directly in front of the school under the observant eye of York Minster. The Under-14s, Under-15s and the recently formed Development XI share the ?Wightman?, idyllically situated on the banks of the River Ouse.
Cricket at St Olave?s, the Junior School to St Peter?s, has enjoyed huge success in its cricket for a number of years. In the past five years the school has made the National Prep Schools JET Cup Finals day hosted by St Edward?s, Oxford, an honoured four times; winning the trophy in 2011, beating Millfield in the final by 64 runs.
St Peter?s has produced several first-class cricketers, Johnny Bairstow being the most recent and famous pupil, currently of Yorkshire and England. Others names include: Frank Mitchell (Yorkshire), Norman Yardley (Yorkshire and England Captain), Stephen Coverdale (Yorkshire and Northamptonshire) and David Kirby (Leicestershire, Cambridge University and former Master i/c of Cricket). The school continues to produce cricketers representing both North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire age groups. In 2010 the Under-15s ended up as the North of England Runners Up in the ECB T20 Finals Day losing to Sedbergh by 20 runs.
The school shares a long standing partnership with York Cricket Club, winners of the Yorkshire League for the past six seasons and who were National Club Champions in 2012 with a side containing both past and current pupils, as well as current members of staff.
Directions to the school:
From the City Centre:
Take the Thirsk Road (A19) from Bootham Bar.
St Peter?s School is 600 metres on the left with the entrance immediately after the footbridge.
From the A64 from Leeds:
Take the Northern Ring Road (A1237). At the fifth roundabout turn right along the A19 (towards the City Centre).
St Peter?s, York. Clifton, York YO30 6AB ? Contact telephone 01904 527 300