The judges felt that, in a competitive field, St Peter’s School stood out in exemplifying some of the best practice in the independent school sector.

The school uses a range of approaches to support pupils’ wellbeing and personal growth, be that through its Forest School, encouraging pupils to use ICT independently or helping pupils champion a campaign to stop single-use plastic bottles in school.

Mental health is at the heart of the school’s work. Children learn that their mental health exists on a continuum and can be applied positively to all aspects of their learning and interests.

Catering for children aged 2-8, the school has an early focus on the idea of citizenship, with pupils involved in intergenerational music workshops in care homes or producing a reverse advent calendar for the homeless.

Judges were particularly impressed by the breadth of the curriculum on offer and the innovation on display. Whether working with programmable robots or exploring the school environs, the city of York and beyond, pupils are encouraged to think of themselves as part of a global and local community.

The Learning Superheroes programme helps pupils to face learning challenges with confidence and adapt to setbacks with resilience. Kindness is at the forefront of the curriculum, enabling pupils to prioritise their own wellbeing and that of others.

The school says that it “aims to nurture happy, curious, motivated, bold and adventurous children, unafraid to embrace life and seek new adventures”, and it was clear from its work that it is achieving all this and more, helping pupils to express themselves and take on leadership at a young age.