Staff at York school suspended after unsecured air rifles discovered on site
Three members of staff have been suspended from Minster School after the discovery of unsecured air rifles on the premises.
Three air rifles plus a quantity of ammunitition were discovered. The York Minster authorities which run the school have now launched an investigation.
But they are stressing that no student was put at risk.
Minster School is a department of York Minster and its governing body is therefore the Dean and Chapter.
A letter was sent to parents on Friday (May 25) from the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York and chair of the governors.
It stated: “Following the discovery of three unsecured air rifles and ammunition at the Minster School, three members of staff have been suspended from duty, with immediate effect from today, pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.
“For the sake of those directly affected, for the staff and the children, I must ask you please not to discuss this matter, speculate on the outcome or rush to judgement.”
No child has been harmed
A Minster spokeswoman has issued this statement:
I can confirm that following the discovery of three unsecured air rifles at the Minster School, three members of staff have been suspended pending a full investigation into the matter.
The Chapter of York, the school’s governing body has written to parents to reassure them that no child was at risk because of this situation and no child has been harmed by this situation.
They have also been informed about interim measures being put in place to support the school’s staff after the half term holiday.
The priority in the coming weeks will be to ensure continuity of education and care for the children.
She added: “There will be no further statement from York Minster.”
About the Minster School
The school was founded in 627 AD for the education of boy choristers. It became fully co-educational in 1987.
In 1995, the Dean and Chapter introduced girl choristers in parallel to the existing boys’ choir. In 1996, a Nursery class was opened, expanding the age range to three to thirteen years.
The school is set in historic buildings on the south side of the cathedral. The Pre-Prep, for those aged three to seven, is housed in a Georgian residence, The Red House, and the Prep, for pupils between the ages of seven and thirteen, is accommodated in two buildings, the Old School and the Main School.
There are about 160 students enrolled there.