St Mary’s School Ascot
schools outside of london
As recently as 1998, the school was largely run by nuns and had a very traditional feel to its education and boarding. In recent times, the school has been going through some changes, both in it teaching and with the facilities themselves. Despite the new renovations, the school still maintains a close-knit feel.
School information
St Mary’s School Ascot is a Roman Catholic independent boarding school for girls in Ascot, Berkshire. There are 380 girls at the school, aged between eleven and eighteen. The school was named public school of the year in 2015 by Tatler. At A-Level the grades are strong, with 69* of grades being A*/A. The school really sets the benchmark at GCSE, where an incredible 97.8% of grades were A*/A.
St Mary’s is proudly academic and judging from the grades that the girls achieve, they are doing something right. Genuine interest is instilled into the students and they go about their work cheerfully. St Mary’s students are invariably academically strong but they are also a lively, chatty and confident bunch and praise here has to go to the school for its excellent pastoral care. Each student has a tutor, head of house and senior girls to help look after them. They will feel completely supported while they are away from home.
Although obviously shadowed by the academic achievements, the school still offer a great deal when it comes to sports and have recently revealed a new sports hall in order to provide the girls with the latest facilities to train and learn. The drama department opened a 440-seat theatre back in 2009 and it is fully equipped to house the productions that occur throughout the year.
admissions
St Mary’s accepts entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+, allowing around sixty-five students at each point.
For 11+ entry, candidates apply in year 5 and attend the school’s exam and interview in January/February of Year 6. A report is required from your child’s current school. The assessment consists of papers in English, maths and a general paper, which includes spelling, non-verbal reasoning and listening skills.
For 13+ entry, candidates apply in Year 7 and attend the school’s exam and interview in January/February of Year 8. A report is also required from your daughter’s current school. The 13+ exam consists of papers in English, maths, science, religious studies, history or geography, a modern language and Latin.
For 16+ entry, candidates also apply two years in advance of the proposed date of entry. They sit a general paper and have interviews in the subjects they wish to study at A-Level.
The school does not issue sample or past papers but supplies your child’s school and you with guidelines. With the school being so competitive and academically oriented, it is expected that your child be ahead of the national average. There are past papers from other schools that can be used as practice in the preparation to the exams and it’s best to start this early to avoid a crazy last few weeks of intensive study.