Clifton was founded by Miss Gertrude Singleton in 1890, who then ran it with her sister.

During World War II the school continued operating despite air raids and bombings.

St Peter's purchased Clifton in 1994 and retained it as the pre-preparatory section.

St Peter's 2-8 is located on the Upper Campus of the school, next door to the senior school which runs along the main road of Bootham in the centre of York.

The school campus itself stretches right down to the banks of the River Ouse.