Creativity and Arts

Music

St Peter’s School runs over 300 individual lessons weekly across instruments ranging from piano and violin to harp and saxophone. Twenty-eight visiting teachers prepare students for ABRSM, Trinity, and RockSchool exams while guiding their musical development. Beyond solo work, the ensemble programme brings together wind orchestras, jazz bands, string quartets, two symphony orchestras of different levels, and rock groups. Senior students also embark on musical tours, performing at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, St Mark’s Basilica, and St Thomas Church in New York.

Theatre

The drama department stages productions in several venues, involving students from Reception through to final-year classes. Every two years, the theatre company collaborates with the music department on major productions that draw on both disciplines. From Year 9 onwards, students can choose technical roles—managing lighting, sound, costumes, and sets—alongside stage performance. Many pursue LAMDA qualifications to develop their public speaking and acting skills in this environment.

Art and Design at St Peter’s School

The art department occupies several studios equipped for painting, printmaking, ceramics, and darkroom photography. The Whitestone gallery, open six days weekly, hosts regular exhibitions of student work. Meanwhile, the design and technology department features 3D printers, lathes, and sewing equipment. St Peter’s School prepares scholars for the prestigious Arkwright engineering programme, while the extracurricular Makerspace club sees students developing projects from casting and mask-making to wearable electronics.

Performances

Concerts take place at the end of each term in the school hall and at venues including the Barbican and York Minster, where the choir leads the Christmas service. The weekly lunchtime Virtualosity concert offers a more intimate setting. Every performance gets recorded, uploaded to a private YouTube channel, and sent to parents. The annual House Singing competition strengthens community spirit, giving students a chance to shine in a relaxed atmosphere while taking pride in collective achievement.