A school in York which offers an "academic alternative" is celebrating the opening of its secondary provision.

Pupils returned to York Steiner School, in Fulford, this week to discover that the older children are still there, as they showed them the new secondary school extension.

After months of construction work, the new purpose-built "upper school" wing was officially opened and the students, all aged 14, entered their new classrooms.

York poet, and Steiner School parent, Kitty Greenbrown read out a poem written specially for the occasion while the school band played and the head teacher Ruth Crabtree thanked all the parents and staff.

Ruth Crabtree, head of York Steiner School (Image: Supplied)

In previous years, all the school’s children had to leave at 14, going on to local schools in the area. 

The school said that due to the determination of parents, staff and the pupils themselves, funds were raised to build large class and common room areas for the extension.

Pupils at the secondary school will gain an accredited level two integrated education diploma - an approved equivalent to eight GCSEs, as well as formal GCSEs in maths and English language.

A spokesperson for York Steiner School added: "Instead of cramming for exams, the diploma allows children to study in small classes with tailored pastoral support and an emphasis on inter-connected learning with a team of expert subject specialists through lessons, workshops, field trips and individual project work to make learning exciting and relevant."

A look at the new common room area (Image: Supplied)

Children will study subjects such as global awareness, natural sciences, performing arts and digital futures.

After two years, they plan to offer pupils the equivalent to A-levels and host children up to the age of 18.

"This is an historic day – we are the only school to offer this academic alternative in Yorkshire," said head teacher Ms Crabtree.

"We don’t believe in force feeding children facts just to get them through an exam, we want more – much more – for our children than that. Pupils are assessed as they work with in-depth portfolio work which allows all their strengths and interests to shine.

Inside one of the new classrooms (Image: Supplied)

"More and more education experts now agree that the restrictive mainstream way of teaching and assessing young people is just not relevant or productive any more and limits potential instead of allowing them to flourish."

Sebastian Haworth-White who joined the school at the age of four, added: "My friends and I couldn’t imagine moving schools – none of us wanted to leave.

"It’s amazing that we can stay and achieve all the qualifications we need but in exciting ways and on our own terms, with the brilliant teachers we’ve known all our lives."

All places for the new upper school have been taken, and there is currently a waiting list for this year but enquiries are welcomed for 2025.