Headteacher

The origins of Beverley Minster CE VC Primary School can be traced back to the middle of the nineteenth century when three schools were run directly under the auspices of the Minster. The present school was formed in 1970 by an amalgamation of Minster Boys' and Girls' Junior Schools; in 1972 the Infants school was incorporated and all three moved to their present purpose-built facilities in St. Giles' Croft.

Now accommodating over 420 pupils the school was extended in 1983, a four-class block (now Y5/6) opened in January 1999 and many further investments in new facilities have followed. The site is spacious, with adjoining sports field, and is surrounded by trees and wildlife.

There were more than 700 children on roll when our retiring Head came to the school in January 2002 with a mandate to 'downsize' because our school site was seriously over-stretched and over-crowded, some year groups having 4 classes. A seven-year programme of restricting entry to 60 has brought us to our present 2 classes per year group, from Reception to Year 6. This could have been a demoralising time for staff but by careful management we had only to make one person compulsorily redundant, and they had secured a post at another school in Beverley before the end of their notice period.

In the same period, the school has undergone an extensive programme of physical alteration and upgrade, including the removal of many temporary mobile classroom units from the site and refashioning of the playgrounds; extensive internal redesign; the installation of ramps and level access features to make the school fully compliant with disability access regulations; kitchen upgrade; renewal of roof coverings and the erection of a new perimeter fence.

A good number of lunchtime clubs and a choir and an orchestra that meet once a week after school. We also do some sports clubs at lunchtime, with after school sports largely provided by external agencies.

We have no nursery but our Foundation stage staff make visits to other nursery provision in Beverley to provide familiarisation for new starters. In September 2011, we moved to one intake from three previously and the impact of this move is still being assessed

At the Y6/7 transition stage, there is a well-developed programme of interaction with the three Beverley Senior Schools We also have an externally run 'before and after school club' on site which is well-supported.

Our full Governing Body usually meets twice a term at 5.30pm on Wednesdays keeping our meetings shorter and reducing the possibility of business becoming urgent or overdue. Attendance at meetings is good, and we have no difficulty recruiting or retaining governors.

The school borders the Westwood common land (600 acres), and is adjacent to a public green space known as the Archery Field. Beverley has been nominated in the national press as one of the best places to live in England.

Please look at our Information Pack for more details.