Junior School

Welcome from Mr Chaloner - Head Teacher

The Minster Junior School is an unique “school within a school”, providing the highest quality education to musically talented junior school pupils and to the choristers of Southwell Minster Cathedral.

We provide something truly out of the ordinary : a primary education (years 3 to 6) augmented by significant additional music learning, designed to support the pupils of the school to develop their musical talents and aspirations.

The Minster School was established more than 1000 years ago to educate the choristers of the cathedral and we are very proud that our junior school continues that tradition to this day, with a number of children fulfilling the role of chorister and supporting the weekly pattern of worship through music-making of world-class standard.

Our motto is “Succeeding Together”. This is underpinned by our Christian virtues of Wisdom, Optimism, Resilience, Kindness and Service. As a centre of excellence for music, our junior school pupils benefit through a wealth of opportunities including peripatetic music lessons, ensembles and wider enrichment, often with nationally recognised musicians.

Welcome from Mr Dring - Head of Junior School

I feel honoured to be the head of such a unique school which provides a high-quality and broad primary curriculum combined with nurturing the potential of truly talented musicians through dedicated specialist opportunities. As Head of Junior School, I work alongside two primary specialists, Miss Savannah Kilbane and Mrs Laura Mason to ensure that pupils receive an excellent education across the curriculum: we promote the school’s core values and pupils learn crucial learning behaviours on how to work collaboratively and we strive to instil a lifelong love of learning.

Five music teachers are key to the weekly experience in the Junior School with pupils also taught by specialist teachers in PE, French, Design and Technology and Computing. They enjoy the main school facilities as well as bespoke Junior School classrooms.

The Junior School is part of The Minster School as a whole. We are a Church of England Academy, rated 'good' by Ofsted with outstanding personal development and sixth form provision. Ofsted (2023) noted that 'Junior department pupils get off to a great start'.

We welcome visits from families considering whether the Minster Junior School might provide a unique and exciting musical education for their child and also invite those considering becoming a cathedral chorister to visit the school.