St. Wilfrid’s School was founded in 1875 in response to the needs of the local Catholic community. Throughout its history the school has adapted to the demands of an ever-changing world while continuing to develop as a loving community involving children, parents and staff.

The school is a Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School providing education for boys and girls aged between four plus and eleven years. The Parishes served are St. Wilfrid’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Paulinus and St. Margaret Clitherow. The school enjoys a unique situation near the city walls with close proximity to many of York’s major educational and cultural attractions.

To this end, sound moral Christian principles are taught in an attempt to foster self- discipline and to emphasize the importance of Christian values. Religious education is so important that it cannot be defined as a specific part of the curriculum – it underlines all our aims and philosophies so that to be Christian permeates all aspects of the school day and gives our school a rather special atmosphere.

To help children in their spiritual development, times are set aside when love and knowledge of God can be extended by stories, readings, discussions, prayer and hymn singing. From an early age children take part in Liturgies and Masses as corporate acts of worship and are a central feature of our spiritual life. We share with the Parishes and with parents the responsibility for preparing children for the Sacraments. Together we endeavour to nurture a community of caring and sharing, with children being encouraged to lead full Christian lives as appropriate to their stage of development.