Ages 
We’ll leave the final word to parents who said it best: ‘I can’t believe I sent my little 11-year-old girl boarding, but she has had seven very, very happy years, got four A* A-levels and 12 nines at GCSE, and has made fantastic friends for life. It’s an amazing school.’ And: ‘It turns out nice, intelligent, curious, kind girls who feel they have a role to play in the world.’ What more could you want?
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 403 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 123 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- RC
- Fees
- Day £46,800; Boarding £65,736 pa
- Local authority
- Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmistress
Danuta Staunton
Since 2019, Danuta Staunton BA MA PGCE. English degree and master’s in Renaissance literature, both from York; PGCE from King’s College London. Worked in publishing before joining St Mary’s English department in 2010, and has been here ever since, as
Entrance
No panic, but names down earlyish is a wise precaution. Lists close when numbers rise to two girls sitting for each place, usually around two years before the year of entry. Girls must be RC to register. ‘We’re selective in the sense that you have to
- Open days
- See website
Exit
Girls go on to Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s College London, St Andrews, UCL, Warwick, Manchester and beyond. Two to Oxbridge in 2025 and five medics/dentists/vets. Eleven overseas (recent choices include New York's Columbia University, IE
Latest results
In 2025, 94 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 63 per cent A*/A at A level (85 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Stellar results blossom from a not hugely competitive intake. ‘I don’t know what the school puts in the water, but everyone wants to do well,’ a sixth form student said wryly. ‘We’re doing it for ourselves; we’re not forced.’ ‘The value added is
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Currently 78 pupils with SEN requirements. Group sessions and one-to-one support is available for dyslexia and dyspraxia. The school is centred around an old building which requires bespoke arrangements for pupils with mobility issues. Not a natural
Arts & extracurricular
Lots going on in the drama department. The school was basking in the afterglow of its production of Great Expectations when we were there. ‘The set was outstanding, all the support and deckhands top notch, the acting phenomenal, two of the leads were
Sport
Games three times a week for younger girls. Twice a week in sixth form. Mainstays are hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, football and cricket. Gymnastics, swimming, volleyball and badminton also popular. Weirdly, there’s no lacrosse. Dance is big –
Boarders
Ninety-five per cent of pupils are full boarders. No weekly or flexi. Very few day girls; none in some year groups, often a small handful in year 7. Younger girls live upstairs in main building. Lower and upper sixth are based in elegant ‘boarding
Ethos & heritage
School was founded in 1885 by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), a religious order begun by Mary Ward (1585-1645). It opened with just 19 pupils; sister schools, St Mary’s Cambridge and St Mary’s Shaftesbury (which closed in 2020). The
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Small size means that everyone can try their hand at everything and there is plenty of attention to go around: ‘Even the shyest are brought out of their shells and blossoming,’ said a parent. ‘Much more cosy and pastorally sensitive than when I was
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Pupils are allowed to bring one mobile phone to school for personal use. Pupils in years 7 and 8 can have basic phones without internet connectivity to make calls and texts. Those in years 9 and above can have a smartphone, which must be registered on the school network. Mobile phones are only allowed during specific times and areas, following the school’s ICT acceptable uuse policy. St Mary’s supports pupils to use the camera function responsibly and any misuse of mobiles can result in confiscation. Second phones are not permitted and phones are collected nightly from pupils in years 7-10.
Pupils & parents
South-east England Roman Catholic gentry. None of the ‘children of all faiths and none’ vagueness that you find at most independent schools. A hardcore 98 per cent are RC. ‘A few CofE slip in,’ jokes the head. There might be leeway for an alumna’s
Money matters
Around five bursaries up to 110 per cent of school fees available throughout the school; 20 further bursaries of lesser but still substantial amounts. No one knows who has financial assistance, say the girls. All very discreet. Academic, all-rounder,
- Fee information
- Day £46,800; Boarding £65,736 pa
The last word
We’ll leave the final word to parents who said it best: ‘I can’t believe I sent my little 11-year-old girl boarding, but she has had seven very, very happy years, got four A* A-levels and 12 nines at GCSE, and has made fantastic friends for life.
