It was founded to educate choristers at York Minster and continued to do so, although no longer exclusively,[6] until in June 2020 it was announced that the school would close at the end of that term.

The building was converted into the York Minster Refectory after the school's closure, and was opened by King Charles on Maundy Thursday 2023.

[16] The Dean of York faced protests by parents supportive of the staff and angry at the manner of the suspension.

In June 2020, the Minster announced that due to the shortfall caused by the lack of visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic it was unable to continue assisting the school.

The school closed at the end of the Summer Term that year, and new places were found elsewhere for their existing pupils.