'I live in York but I don't take the Minster for granted - it has everything'

Arriving at York Station in 1984, aged 12, with my mother and sister and marvelling at the Bar Walls in front of me.

And then, on the same day, visiting the Jorvik Viking Centre and being confronted by the stench of dung.

What’s your idea of a perfect day out in Yorkshire?

I am a keen runner so I would start with a run along the banks of the beautiful River Ouse from St Peter’s to Millennium Bridge and back.

Then a visit to the magnificent Castle Howard, with lunch in a country pub nearby, before Evensong at York Minster.

Do you have a favourite view?

Can I be greedy and choose two? Roseberry Topping is stunning and unique, but the panoramic view from the top of Sutton Bank, a favourite of author James Herriott, is also so inspiring. Both show the county of North Yorkshire in all its glory.

Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?

It has to be Yorkshire cricketer Jonny Bairstow, one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen that has ever played for England.

He is also a tremendous family man and, as a proud Old Peterite, a great ambassador for the school. If I could sneak in multi-talented sports presenter Kat Downes too, that would be a perfect lunch.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?

The actor Greg Wise, another Old Peterite. He is a brilliant character actor and I’d like to hear about his time at school and how it shaped his future career.

What’s your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’?

All Saints Church in North Street, York. It boasts the most gorgeous stained-glass windows, some of the finest in the UK, from the 14th and 15th centuries. Because it’s “hidden”, it is also very peaceful.

If you could choose something in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be?

Headingley Stadium, home of the changing face of Yorkshire cricket and one of the venues for this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup.

I would arrange a cricket match with friends and colleagues, with a sprinkling of Yorkshire stars. I’d like to be a modest contributor, batting in the middle order and bowling third change.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

Its people. Straight-talking, down-to-earth, enthusiastic, proud and humorous. I love the can-do attitude and Yorkshire people laugh much more than southerners.

Do you follow sport in the county?

Cricket is a passion and I follow Yorkshire, which can be both exhilarating and frustrating. I am also keen on rowing, having dabbled in my youth, so am blessed to have the River Ouse on my doorstep.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

The Blue Bell in Fossgate is everything a traditional unspoiled pub should be and I also enjoy a pint in the Eagle and Child in High Petergate.

York has some great restaurants, my favourites being Skosh in Micklegate, Café No 8 in Gillygate and the Blue Barbakan in Fossgate.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

I am a big fan of the Shambles Market in York, especially Swain’s Butchers and Cross Fishmongers, who sell superb kippers and Lindisfarne oysters. The Cheese Trader in Grape Lane is another excellent shop.

How do you think that Yorkshire has changed in the time that you’ve known it?

I have been here for eight years now and I think the county has changed for the better.

Despite the challenging political and economic times we face, there are exciting new developments in York, especially York Central, and across the county.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

The late and great Harry Gration. Despite being a high-profile broadcaster and personality in the county, Harry was unfailingly kind, modest, helpful and always genuinely interested in others, whoever they were and whatever they did.

I came to know Harry as a friend and Old Peterite and have so many fond memories of him and the family.

If you had to change one thing about Yorkshire, what would it be?

I would move it closer to Dorset, or ideally I’d move Dorset closer to Yorkshire, as the county where I grew up and where my family still live.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Definitely. Running a school in the centre of the historic city of York means that I am influenced and inspired by my surroundings every single day.

The county has a sense of identity and place that other counties simply don’t.

Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer.

The late, and much missed, David Hockney. From his sun-drenched, light-filled Californian pictures to his extraordinary Yorkshire Wolds landscapes, his range and versatility are remarkable.

I also admire the way he has embraced new technology to enhance his art.

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where should it be?

York Minster. Living in York, we can sometimes take our Minster for granted. What a mistake. It has everything.

What’s your favourite part of the county and why?

That’s a tremendously difficult question, as the beauty and variety of Yorkshire is what makes it so special. If pushed, though, I would choose the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors, where two very beautiful but different landscapes slide seamlessly into one another.

St Peter’s School in York celebrates its 1400th anniversary next year, while this year is the 50th anniversary of the admission of girls.