St Mary's School for Girls Review 2026: The Nurturing Alternative

In the academically fierce landscape of Colchester, where the 11-plus dictates the futures of many, St Mary's offers a different proposition. "Happy girls are high achievers" is the operating philosophy of this 3 to 16 school. Occupying two distinct sites in the leafy Lexden area, St Mary's serves as the primary independent alternative to the local grammar schools. It focuses on building confidence and character alongside academic grades, acting as a Round Square school that emphasises internationalism and service.

St Mary's feels distinctively calmer than its selective neighbours. The Senior School, housed in an extended Victorian property, balances period charm with necessary modern additions. There is a palpable sense of "family" here, aided by the relatively small size.

Mrs Nicola Griffiths has led the school since 2021, maintaining its reputation for pastoral warmth. In January 2026, the school announced the appointment of Mr Lee Daniel Faith as the new Principal, effective from the Summer Term 2026. The ethos is resolutely holistic. As a Round Square school, a rarity in this part of Essex, there is a genuine focus on democracy, environmentalism, and adventure. You are as likely to hear girls discussing a charity fundraiser or an international exchange as you are their mock exam results.

The atmosphere is supportive rather than cut-throat. Girls describe it as a place where they can put their hand up without fear of getting the answer wrong. The uniform is worn with pride, and manners are traditional, yet the relationship between staff and students is open and collaborative.

For a broad-ability school sitting in the shadow of two super-selective grammar schools, St Mary's punches well above its weight. In late 2025, The Sunday Times ranked St Mary's Senior School as the 7th best independent school in England with no sixth form, a testament to its consistent GCSE performance.

In 2024, the school's GCSE results were strong, with a significant proportion of grades at 9-7. The Attainment 8 score consistently tracks above the England average. This performance places the school in the "national strong" band.

Crucially, the school prides itself on value-added performance, taking girls of mixed ability and lifting their outcomes through small classes and confidence building. While the school does not select solely on academic super-performance, the results demonstrate that academic rigour is very much present.

The curriculum is broad and tailored to girls' learning styles. In the Lower School, there is a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with Forest School sessions that utilise the extensive grounds. As girls move to the Senior School, the focus shifts to subject specialism, but the creative approach remains.

Class sizes are kept small, typically around 15-20, allowing teachers to identify striving or struggling students quickly. The approach is collaborative; lessons often involve discussion and group work rather than didactic lecturing. Support for learning is robust, with a dedicated department for those with specific needs, ensuring they can access the full curriculum.

As a school finishing at age 16, St Mary's is expert in preparing girls for the next step. The lack of a Sixth Form is seen by the school as a strength, preventing the "top end" drift and allowing Year 11 to take the leadership roles usually reserved for Year 13s.

Destinations are impressive and varied. A significant number of girls move on to the co-educational Sixth Form at Colchester Royal Grammar School or the girls-only Colchester County High School for Girls. Others choose the Colchester Sixth Form College for its sheer range of subjects, or other independent schools in the region such as The Leys, Felsted, or Ipswich School. The school provides extensive careers guidance to help match the girl to the right post-16 environment.

Entry to the Lower School (Prep) is generally non-selective, based on a meeting and a taster session to ensure the school can meet the child's needs.

For the Senior School (Year 7 entry), the process is more formal but designed to be less stressful than the 11-plus. Candidates sit an entrance assessment in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning, usually in the November of Year 6. For September 2026 entry, the main assessment date was Saturday 15 November 2025.

Admissions are competitive. Families seeking places after the main deadline should contact the Registrar immediately for any remaining availability. Scholarships are available for Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport, and STEM excellence.

This is the school's ace card. St Mary's operates a "listening school" culture. Form tutors are the first port of call, but the pastoral web includes Heads of Year, a school counsellor, and a pastoral support officer.

The school explicitly teaches resilience and mental health awareness. The "Girls on Board" approach is used to help students navigate the often tricky waters of friendship dynamics without immediate adult intervention, empowering them to solve conflict themselves. Parents consistently cite the happiness of their daughters as the primary reason for choosing the school.

The extracurricular menu is extensive. The Arts are particularly strong; the drama productions are of a high standard, often performed in professional local venues, and the art department fills the corridors with impressive student work.

Sport is inclusive but competitive. Netball, hockey, and athletics are the staples, and the school competes successfully against local state and independent rivals. The Round Square affiliation opens doors to conferences and exchanges that are not available elsewhere locally, offering a global perspective that enriches the girls' worldview.

Clubs range from the expected (Choir, Orchestra, Debating) to the specific (Textiles, Gardening, and various STEM societies).

Fees for the 2024-2025 academic year range from approximately £3,600 per term in the Lower School to £5,955 per term in the Senior School. This equates to an annual fee of roughly £17,865 for Senior pupils. Fees are exclusive of VAT, which may apply from 2025 onwards.

The school offers means-tested bursaries to widen access. These are awarded based on financial need and are distinct from scholarships. Scholarships are awarded for excellence in Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport, and STEM, and typically carry a fee remission (often 10-25%).

The school operates a fleet of minibuses covering a wide radius across Essex and the Suffolk border, making it accessible for families in rural areas.

Wraparound care is available, particularly for the younger years, with Breakfast Club and After School care extending the day to help working parents. The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:45pm, though extracurriculars extend this.

No Sixth Form: The school ends at Year 11. Families must be prepared for a transition at the end of GCSEs. While this offers a chance for a fresh start, it does mean another round of applications and interviews in Year 11.

Fees: As an independent school, fees are a significant commitment, especially when compared to the tuition-free grammar schools nearby.

Physical Separation: The Lower and Senior schools are on separate sites. While transition is managed well, it is not a single-campus experience.

St Mary's offers a vital alternative in Colchester, a school that achieves high academic standards without the high-pressure cooker atmosphere of the selective system. It produces articulate, confident, and well-grounded young women who are ready for the world. Best suited to families who want their daughters to be nurtured as well as educated, and who value character development as much as grades. The main challenge is the transition at 16, but for many, the foundation built here is worth it.