EMPOWERING GIRLS
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Find out more about how St Mary’s empowers girls by attending an Open Day.
Are you looking for a school that can empower your daughter for the future?
Attend an Open Day or download our prospectus to find out more about how St Mary’s empowers girls:
- experts in educating girls
- top rating of ‘Excellent’ in ISI Inspection
- 12th highest performing prep school in England (Sunday Times)
- strong SATs and 11+ results
- numerous extra-curricular opportunities
- all-round education and outstanding pastoral care
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A strong academic education
St Mary’s Lower School is the 12th highest performing Prep School in England, as ranked by the Sunday Times. Alongside English, Maths, Science, ICT, Languages and Humanities, pupils follow a rich Personal Social Health, Citizenship and Economic Education programme, including philosophical enquiries.
Our pupils perform significantly higher than the national average in SATs. We also have a high 11+ pass rate for those who choose to sit the exam, alongside a consistently strong record of scholarship offers to independent secondary schools, including our Senior School, where Lower School girls along with siblings are given priority for places offered.
We’re able to achieve such success by tailoring the education to suit the needs of each individual in our small classes, and by giving the pupils the encouragement and support they need to aim high.
A safe environment for girls
We proactively challenge stereotypes, particularly around what girls can achieve, by providing positive role models and examples.
We provide opportunities for the girls to take positive risks and we create a culture where girls are not afraid of failure in a variety of ways, from Forest School to debating.
We encourage individuality by celebrating individual successes and supporting girls to pursue their passions. We provide opportunities for the girls to develop leadership skills with the variety of positions of responsibility available to girls including Head Girls opportunities.
Fees
| 2023-24 ST MARY’S SCHOOL TERMLY FEES |
|---|
| Preparatory Class Full-time, Years 1 & 2 | £3,910 |
| Years 3 & 4 | £4,450 |
| Years 5 & 6 | £4,850 |
There are three terms per academic year. Fees include lunch and drinks, certain books, extra tuition and learning support required.
School day
Parents bring their daughters to school from 8.30am and the school day begins at 8.40am. The school is easily accessible with ample parking for a convenient and safe school run.
School finishes at 3pm for infants and 3.25pm for juniors. Infants can join activity club until the juniors finish at 3.25pm and then numerous clubs are available, from ballet to chess.
Alternatively, our finishing time allows pupils to continue with any clubs, interests or hobbies they have outside of school.
Wrap around care
In addition to clubs, wrap around care is available from 7.30am and our daily Breakfast Club begins at 8am, designed to help busy families. Children enjoy a light breakfast and a chance to catch up with friends before the school day. After-school childcare is available until 6pm.
Holiday clubs
St Mary’s Activities in the School Holidays (SMASH) runs for four weeks in the summer holidays, a week in the Christmas holidays, a week in the Easter holidays and each half term.
Days run from 9.30am-3pm with the option of an early start from 8.30am and late finish of 4.30pm. Individual days or whole weeks can be booked.
Sessions often include arts and crafts, drama, sports, adventure, games and outings.
Meet some of our Lower School girls
Attend an Open Day
Reserve a place at a Lower School Open Day to to find out more about the amazing facilities and the range of activities available, from French to Forest School.
Moving on
On leaving the Lower School, most Year 6 girls move up to our Senior School or go to one of the state selective (grammar) schools.
We prepare pupils for the move by familiarising them with the Senior School. For example, girls may use the facilities and are taught by the specialist teachers there.
The Eco teams, choirs and orchestra from the Lower and Senior School also often come together, giving Lower School pupils an insight into Senior School life and helping them take the next step with confidence.