Lower School Admissions
The main entry point to St Mary’s Lower School is to our Preparatory Class (National Curriculum Reception), at the age of four.
Gain an insight into the varied and lively Prep class (Reception) curriculum at St Mary’s:
Many girls progress to the Lower School from St Mary’s Kindergarten, but others join from a range of nurseries. Girls may join the school in other year groups if there is a place available. Please check with our Registrar as there are often very few places available.
Visit
We feel it is very important that prospective pupils and their parents visit the school as often as they feel necessary. Private tours can be arranged with our Registrar at a time to suit you.
Families can also attend one of our Open Days – held every year in Spring and Autumn, which offer an opportunity to tour the school and meet with staff and pupils, gather information and ask questions.
Register
The next step is to register your daughter by completing the Registration Form, which can be found in the back of the school prospectus or on our website, and returning it to the Registrar along with a non-returnable Registration Fee of £75.
Acceptance of a place
Girls hoping to join us in the Preparatory Class are introduced to the Head of Lower School while visiting St Mary’s. Once a place is offered, parents are asked to complete and sign the Acceptance Form, issued by the Registrar, and return it to the school along with an Entry Deposit of £400, which is returned when your child leaves us (subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer). This Entry Deposit continues to the Senior School once your daughter has transferred to Year 7.
Before a place in Lower School years other than the Preparatory Class is offered, girls are invited to take part in a Taster Day. In this way, we are able to get to know your child and to draw on our many years of experience to ensure that St Mary’s is the right environment for her to learn and develop, and that she will in turn contribute to the life of the school. When a place is offered, parents are asked to complete and sign the Acceptance Form, issued by the Registrar, and return it to the school along with an Entry Deposit of £400, which is returned when your child leaves us (subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer). This Entry Deposit continues to the Senior School once your daughter has transferred to Year 7.
Scholarships are not available in the Lower School, but Bursaries may be offered at the discretion of the Bursar and Governors’ Finance Committee. Bursaries can be applied for once a place is offered.
Joining
Girls joining St Mary’s Lower School’s Preparatory Class meet with the Preparatory Class teacher before they start school to help the familiarisation process. Once your daughter is a pupil of St Mary’s, her form teacher will keep in touch with you as she settles in and will be happy to answer any questions.
