LATEST - Minster School in York to close

 The Chapter of York, the governing body of York Minster, has shocked the city by announcing proposals for the closure of The Minster School at the end of the summer term 2020.

As a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic York Minster has experienced a catastrophic loss of visitor income.

This particular income stream is crucial to the financial performance of the organisation as a whole and its ability to continue funding of all activities.

LISTEN - The MP for York Outer Julian Sturdy says he will talk to the Government about what might be done to help:

LISTEN - Chris Titley edits the online news service York Mix.  He's been a journalist in the city for many years and says it's left locals stunned.

UPDATE - Friday 5th June

Julian Sturdy, Member of Parliament for York Outer, has  written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick to urge the Government to immediately relax the rules to allow cathedrals and other larger places of worship to safely reopen to visitors. 

York Minster has been closed to both worshipers and paying visitors since March and according to the Government’s current timetable will only be able to reopen at the beginning of July. 

The loss of revenue has forced the Dean and Chapter to take the ‘terribly sad’ decision to close the Minister School, which was founded to educate the cathedral’s choristers. 

 After writing to the Secretary of State, Julian Sturdy said:

“The closure of the historic Minster School is sad news for York and comes at a time when may of our most iconic visitor attractions are facing severe shortfalls in their budget.

We cannot allow the economic cost of the lockdown to do long term damage to the heritage and culture of our city.

York Minister is famed for its cavernous interior and lends itself to remaining open for visitors in an age of social distancing. I have therefore called upon the Government to make an exception for cathedrals and larger places of worship and allow them to reopen as soon as possible so that they can benefit from much needed public donations and visitor income”.

Background to the closure of the Minster School as reported this week:

 
Parents and staff were informed of the proposals yesterday (Wednesday).

The School will arrange a series of meetings to discuss their options and to help them find new school places for their children.  

A formal consultation process with the School’s staff and their representatives starts today.
 
The Dean of York, the Right Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, said that it was a terribly sad day for York Minster and for parents, staff and pupils of the School.  In a letter to parents, he explained:

“When setting its annual budget, in pre-Covid days, the Chapter of York anticipated an income of £9.4m in 2020.

As a direct consequence of closure, and the total loss of visitor income and commercial activity associated with it, Chapter now anticipates a shortfall against budget of up to £5.2m in 2020.

The severity of this shock to our system is only compounded by the unlikelihood of visitor numbers returning to 2019 levels in the foreseeable future.”

He  explained that Chapter had planned to continue its investment of £750k in each of the next three years to create breathing space for the school to rise out of its financial deficit and to recruit new pupils. He said:

“With a £5.2m shortfall in 2020 and no return of visitors to 2019 levels in the short to medium term, such investment is no longer a viable option.  

Intelligence drawn from the wider independent preparatory school sector suggests that the Minster School will be far from unique in facing this kind of dilemma.”

The Dean also announced Chapter’s intention to continue its historic commitment to the Anglican Choral Tradition, and to the education of its choristers, in partnership with St Peter’s School, York.

In this new partnership, choristers will continue to be trained by York Minster’s Department of Music.

Commenting on the partnership with York Minster, William Woolley, Chair of Governorsat St Peter’s School, said:
     

 “The Minster with its wonderful choral singing is hugely important not only for York but also nationally and internationally.

St Peter's School is proud to become the Choir School of the Minster and to continue the excellent education of the choristers after the sad announcement.

We will now have an important addition to our already world class capabilities at the same time protecting this great York cultural tradition.”

    Head Master of St Peter’s, Jeremy Walker added:

“I am saddened that The Minster School is closing but look forward to welcoming choristers and their families to St Peter’s.

They will be joining a school which nurtures and celebrates excellence, whether that be in music, academics, sport or all the other opportunities we share with our pupils.  

They and future generations of choristers will be a great addition to the life of St Peter's.”

Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster said: 

“The Minster School can trace its origins back to AD 627 when St Paulinus founded the Minster and a school for its choristers.  This school went on to become what is now St Peter’s School.

The very sad decision to close the present Minster School is set alongside this excellent opportunity for our choristers to continue to be educated together a short distance away, and for the Minster’s mission and choral tradition to continue to flourish for years to come.”
     

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