St Mary's School - Ascot

St Mary's School in Ascot, Berkshire, is a prestigious Roman Catholic girls' school with a rich history and a reputation for academic excellence. Founded as a convent by the Sisters of Loretto, the school has evolved into one of the foremost Catholic girls' schools in the UK. St Mary's Ascot is academically selective, consistently achieving outstanding GCSE and A-Level results, and prides itself on fostering the intellectual, spiritual, and personal development of its pupils.

Though primarily a full boarding school, St Mary's Ascot does accommodate a small number of day students. The school boasts state-of-the-art boarding, academic, and extra-curricular facilities spread across 55 acres of land. With a focus on nurturing bright, ambitious young women, St Mary's Ascot has a high staff-to-pupil ratio of around 1:6, ensuring individual attention and support for each student. In recent years, almost a third of the sixth form cohort received offers from Oxbridge, highlighting the school's commitment to excellence.

While St Mary's Ascot is predominantly a school for Catholic students, it is worth considering for non-Catholic families who value a rigorous academic environment and a strong sense of tradition. Entry is competitive, with prospective students expected to take the school's entrance examination, participate in an interview, and provide reports from their current school. St Mary's Ascot offers 65 places each year, with entry points at 11+, 13+, and 16+.