The school was Lady Lumley's School, in Pickering, in North Yorkshire, England. The coeducational school of more than 850 students aged 11–18 had decreed that Christmas was too commercialized and had lost its original meaning. Chris Paul, a religious education teacher at the school, challenged pupils with writing a persuasive argument for why the school should still celebrate Christmas with such things as cards, gifts, and a tree. Students responded with more than 500 emails and letters in favor of keeping Christmas celebrations at the school. The result was what was intended, head teacher Richard Bramley said: Students considered why they should have such celebrations and what were the origins of the holiday–meaning a religious one. Bramley said that he was encouraged that students had worked together in such a manner.

The school dates to 1657, when it was founded in the village Thornton le Dale, and was named for Viscountess Lumley, the lady of the local manor.