Looking for feedback on schools: St.Peter’s or Pocklington

[Natusiks98]

Hi mums, I’ve seen some comments here and there and can’t quite make up my mind! So please help!
We have been offered places at both St.Peter’s York and Pocklington.
We would be potentially living closer to Pocklington going forward (after 1-2 years) but looking to rent at first as we are relocating.
BUT because of the pandemic we were not able to see the either of the schools!
Pocklington staff have been very good in their communication so far: we had personal phone calls and prompt replies to our questions. However we couldn’t get much information from their web site and they seem to be quite behind on media updates which makes it difficult to understand what is actually happening in school (was before the lockdown). Their website mentions that the after school clubs are only once per week for lower school and the clubs are not as far near as diverse as the St.Peter’s options. but everyone says they are a community school.

St.Peter’s have been far more formal and other than what was pre-recorded videos for their Open Days we haven’t seen anyone speak about the school. Their website is amazing and my children really liked the school after doing their research on their web.
It seems to produce amazing results, even though their class sizes are 25 in middle school and 22 in senior. How do they do it?! what happens if you are not the high achiever? I can’t get my hand on the sence of what the atmosphere is like? is there a community? We will be moving from another area and don’t know anyone there. I naturally worry for my kids making friends and not being lonely and bored at home.

I am genuinely torn between the 2. Is it worth the potential commute after initial 1-2 years time to be in St.Peter’s as it’s a school with better results and more varied options?
Help! 😂

If you’re going to be living closer to Pocklington, then I would choose Pocklington school. The commute from there to central York can be a nightmare, especially with all the one way systems around York and morning traffic. I can’t comment on the schools as I don’t know them. York is a beautiful place; you’re very lucky.

Hi OP, do you mean the private school St Peter’s, on Bootham? I have no personal experience of the school itself, but I know it’s one of the top boarding schools in the country. If you are living in/ near Pocklington, the commute could be tricky - single carriageway roads to York, then having to cross the city centre at rush hour, would make it long.

Hopefully someone else can comment on the schools themselves.

I used to commute into York daily. Terrible journey at peak hours, if you’re not going to be living in York,then I wouldn’t dream of commuting in with school children. If you can do it a a short train journey (busy trains mind, pre Covid), or a local drive/walk/bike ride. But driving into York from the rind road, even on the Park and Ride bus, can be a good half hour.

Obviously, this is experience is all preCovid.

Thank you. Yes, commute sounds like a pain. The 30 minutes drive wouldn’t be as bad. I fear it would be closer to an hour and more! Not sure how long Park and Ride bus takes to get to the school but it seems getting to any P&R from Pock is about 30 min. anyway. However I haven’t done this, so I might be wrong.

we might have to reconsider and opt for living in York or stick to the magical countryside and go for Pock.
Anyone with kids in either, please let me know!

What made you choose this two schools in the first place?

Have not attended either school, but felt the need to emphasise how awful the commute is down the A1079 to York... I used to live in a town not far from Pocklington. I'd opt for Pock school for convenience if nothing else. Of course, depends where you're moving to.

I currently live in York, and just getting from one end of the city to the other is a nightmare if the traffic is against you. To drive through this, on top of the before mentioned commute to the outskirts, sounds insane to me!

Pocklington School has a very diverse and exciting co-curricular programme. On the website it mentions the one timetabled activity for lower school in the afternoon on a Wednesday but there are loads of lunchtime and after school clubs to join. If you get in touch with the school I am sure they will be happy for you to chat with the Head of Co-Curricular on Zoom or on the phone. My daughter went there for Sixth Form.

It might also be worth following both schools and Headmasters on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram etc to get a feel for them.

Yes driving around York is akin to asking for a nervous breakdown. My friend pulled her kids out of St. Peter as they weren’t getting good results and sent them to a local comp (they’re results there aren’t any better!). However, my neighbour sends her children to St.Peters and rates it. I’d never even heard of Pock before this thread!! Have you considered the Mount and Bootham?

Thanks. Yes, considered Bootham (loved everything about them just from the web alone) but got scared we wouldn’t have a chance as we are not Quakers, now missed the deadlines for applications anyway but hear people from other denominations are being accepted. 🤦🏼‍♀️

was your daughter a day pupil? Did she hve to take partnin a lot of sports to fit in?

St.Peter’s has an amazing marketing by the looks of it, their Head Master twits, their viccar twits - it’s all there! but communication from Pock is not as up to speed tbh. They are very friendly though and so far everyone was very keen to explain things and share information.
At St.Peter’s they are coming across very impersonal and individual communication from them has been hit and miss and. certainly not personal as yet, I don’t feel that they made us welcome at any stage and we already have offers, it’s all far too formal. But my kids liked the info on their website though and wanted to go there.

Peter’s has a phenomenal campus, it is a beautiful school. It’s very sporty and competitive. It is where I went to school (so a long time ago now), but its culture hasn’t changed since I was a pupil. Bootham has a totally different vibe.
To me Peter’s has the edge over Pock due to the school being in York and the close association with the Minster. St Peter’s is prestigious and it doesn’t surprise me that they haven’t been as communicative/ supportive as Pock. That is something to consider.

There are very few Quakers at either Bootham or the Mount these days and it’s not an admission criteria for either. The Mount seemed lovely when I visited a few years ago and we were shown round by the most lovely sixth form pupil.

What appeals to you about both schools, other than results and the general ‘vibe’ (obviously both important). I only ask as I can’t really imagine the same child being attracted to both Bootham and St Peter’s. The former offers a more holistic (imo) education with a focus on turning out well rounded, happy, socially aware kids whereas - from an outsider looking in - Peter’s is more focused on academic and sporting success.

I don’t have any knowledge of Pock, but something to be aware that you’ve mentioned some very different schools.

Additionally, there are some great state options in and around York. If you’re after city then All Saints (catholic) and Fulford are good options, or Ryedale if you’re looking deep into the countryside! I only mention those three, but there are lots of other fab state options in the area.

Whilst sport is a big part of Pocklington (and the sports dept are excellent) it is not something you have to be crazy about to fit in. There are so many other things to do in the clubs and activities and the new art and design centre is amazing. There is a virtual tour of the whole campus on the website. I followed numerous departmental twitter accounts including the Headmaster as well as an Instagram and Facebook page. It also has a very active Old Pocklingtonian Association.My daughter is 20 now.

Hi, I have a child at St Peter's 8-13. What did you choose in the end? Can I help answer any questions?