Admissions process

Accepting your Kindergarten place

Following an offer of a place, we ask parents to complete and sign the Acceptance Form, issued by the Registrar, and return it to the school. The Kindergarten Entry Deposit is due at this point.

Prior to joining, your child will be invited to take part in a Familiarisation Session, to help them feel settled in the Kindergarten and create a smoother transition from home or nursery. We encourage parents to discuss their child’s learning experiences with the Kindergarten team to make sure that, together, we are giving your child the best possible start in education.

Pupils in our Kindergarten wear the St Mary’s uniform, which is available to order online. Further information will be provided prior to your child starting.

Once your child has joined the Kindergarten they will have a nominated ‘key person’. This is a member of staff assigned to your child who will monitor their progress and wellbeing throughout their time in the Kindergarten. The key person will also by your first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns.

You will also be sent an invitation to enrol and download the St Mary’s app. It is through the app that we will send any messages and post news and photos. Key dates can be found within the calendar and there are also useful links and documents such as lunch menus, the parent handbooks and Tapestry, a leading childhood education platform where photos and details of your child’s learning journey will be shared with you.

Further details regarding St Mary’s admissions for Kindergarten can be found in our Admissions Policy. Alternatively, contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594178 to find out more.

Accepting your Lower School place

Prep (Reception) places are offered in the winter prior to girls joining. Once a place is offered, parents are asked to complete and sign the acceptance form and return it to the school by the deadline in mid-April, along with an Entry Deposit of £400. This is returned when your child leaves St Mary’s, subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer.

Please note, the majority of girls in our Prep (Reception) class move up from our Kindergarten. There is high demand for places in our Kindergarten so we advise you contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594178 as early as possible regarding a place.

Those interested in a Lower School place other than in the Prep (Reception) class, are invited to take part in a taster day. In this way, we get to know your child and 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 and return it to us. The Entry Deposit of £400, which is returned when your child leaves us, subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer, is due at this point.

Further details regarding St Mary’s admissions for the Lower School can be found in our Admissions Policy. Alternatively, contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594178 to find out more.

Accepting your Senior School place

You can register for a Senior School place online. A non-refundable registration fee of £150 is also payable at this point. Once registered, we will guide you through the admissions process and are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Year 7 places and Scholarships are offered before the end of the autumn term prior to joining. Once a place is offered, parents are asked to complete and sign the acceptance form and return it to the school by the deadline in early March, along with an Entry Deposit of £400. This is returned when your child leaves St Mary’s, subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer.

Those interested in a Senior School place other than Year 7, are invited to take part in a taster day where they will also sit an assessment. In this way, we get to know your daughter and 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 and return it to us. The Entry Deposit of £400, which is returned when your child leaves us, subject to meeting the terms and conditions issued along with the offer, is due at this point.

Further details regarding St Mary’s admissions for the Senior School can be found in our Admissions Policy. Alternatively, contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594178 to find out more.