(Image: Bootham School)
A YORK school is set to unite all of its students on a single campus for the first time in its history.
The move is part of a major two-year redevelopment plan for Bootham School, which will see the creation of a self-contained junior school in Bootham, along with a dedicated sixth-form study centre and upgraded sports facilities.
Currently, the private Quaker school is split between its main city-centre campus and a junior site in Clifton.
Head of Bootham School, Deneal Smith, said: "Our aim is always to provide a first-class educational experience for all our students, and to build on our success across every area of school life – from excellent academic results and sporting triumphs to outstanding performances in music and drama – while ensuring that our Quaker ethos remains at the heart of everything we do.
"By bringing the whole school together, improving our facilities and investing in transformational bursary provision, I believe we have the opportunity to continue to strengthen Bootham for generations to come."
The project includes the creation of a new sixth-form study centre, and the development of a separate junior school area.
The school is also in talks to secure a 99-year lease on the neighbouring Bootham Park playing fields.
The fields will be upgraded to include two football pitches and will be used during the school day by Bootham students and partner primary schools.
Evenings and weekends will be reserved for community use, including youth football teams.
The redevelopment is expected to be completed by late 2028.
Bootham School's site in Clifton will be marketed for sale.
It is expected to be earmarked for residential development, with some of the funds raised going towards the planned campus improvements and some going into a fund to extend the school’s existing bursaries for young people.