St Peter's School, York is one of the country’s leading schools. It combines outstanding day and boarding education for girls and boys aged 2-18 with a huge range of sporting, music, artistic and cultural opportunities. It is one of the best independent schools in the UK and was named The Sunday Times North Independent School of the Year in 2019. In 2021, the School was shortlisted at the TES Independent School Awards, and won Prep School of the Year for the second time (previously in 2017) and the overall award of Independent School of the Year.

As the fourth oldest school in the world, St Peter's has a long history of top class education. It was founded by St Paulinus of York on the same site as York Minster in 627 AD. In the sixteenth century, the School was given a Royal Charter by Philip and Mary and, in 1575, the School’s most infamous student, Guy Fawkes, attended St Peter’s.

St Peter's School believes in its mission to prepare pupils to be successful and fulfilled in their adult lives, to be leaders with humility and to make a positive impact on their world. It aims to do this by making the most of the academic and personal potential of students, to enable positive relationships in all aspects of their lives and to make an impact in their immediate communities and the wider world for the common good.

St Peter’s has ambitious plans for the future, building on its excellent reputation in the North and becoming recognised as one of the best all-round independent schools in the UK. There may be opportunities for further expansion locally and internationally in the future.

The Board of Governors is the school's governing body and is responsible for determining the educational character and mission of St Peter's School and for overseeing its activities.

The Board is responsible for the effective, efficient and economical use of the School's funds. It sets and monitors the School's strategic direction to ensure the sustainable delivery of its core objectives, making appropriate provision for the support, advice, guidance and welfare of students.

As St Peter's School is constantly looking at ways to improve its excellent educational offer, Governors will provide appropriate constructive challenge to existing norms and propose changes to ensure that governance is both appropriately supportive and effective.

Following a succession planning review, the School is looking for a Governor with a senior background in finance. The new Governor will have strong financial experience from currently working or having recently worked at a senior level either as an operational Finance Director, within the accountancy profession or with wider expertise in a financial or business environment.

They will be expected to provide strong support to the Chair of the Finance Committee and to the wider Committee. Experience of working at board level is desirable but not essential. Experience of reorganisation, transactions, IT investment and general business and commercial acumen will all be beneficial. While specific knowledge of independent school finance and operations is not necessary, an awareness of non-profits and the challenges they face would be advantageous.

All candidates should be committed, collegial, and be strongly aligned with the mission and values of St Peter's School – to prepare pupils for confident, successful and fulfilled adult lives and to make a positive impact on their world.

Catherine Baker

Jenny Copley-Farnell

Dr Nigel Durham

Mark Calvert

Jonathan Gill

Dr Simon Hinchliffe

Adrian Taylor

Giselle Vidic-Cattorini

Paul Widdicombe

Bill Woolley

Charlotte Smart

Rev Canon Dr Vicky Johnson

Sir John Townsley

To find out more about its Governors, please see here. 

This role is unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are four Board meetings and a minimum of four Sub-Committee meetings per year (Governors are expected to join at least one committee). Other commitments will include a Strategy Day plus ad hoc working groups and attendance at School events. There will also be an induction day on appointment. The appointment is for a five-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. 

This organisation is based in York and meetings will take place in person with some online. Candidates should therefore be able to travel to and from York and will be UK-based, unless they happen to be back in the UK frequently.

St Peter's School welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.