About St. Mary's College, Crosby
St. Mary's College, Crosby is a co-educational independent day school in Crosby, Merseyside. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
St. Mary's College, Crosby is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Mary's College, Crosby
St. Mary's College, Crosby Admissions Criteria
St. Mary's College, Crosby is a co-educational independent day school in Crosby, Merseyside. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at St. Mary's College, Crosby to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at St. Mary's College, Crosby. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by St and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at St. Mary's College, Crosby.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at St. Mary's College, Crosby. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Mary's College, Crosby Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending St. Mary's College, Crosby.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Mary's College, Crosby 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to St. Mary's College, Crosby
Step 1 — Visit St Mary's College Crosby campus together
Visit St Mary's College Crosby campus together with your child prior to applying
Step 2 — Complete the online application form
Complete the online application form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the non-refundable registration fee
Pay the non-refundable registration fee with the application
Step 4 — Approximately three weeks prior
Approximately three weeks prior to the entrance examination, the school will ask for current-school references
Step 5 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance examination
Your child sits the 11+ entrance examination — normally held in November
Step 6 — Your child attends an interview as part of the assessment
Your child attends an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Results are communicated within two weeks of the exam
Results are communicated within two weeks of the exam
Step 8 — If you receive an offer of a place
If you receive an offer of a place, accept or reject by the deadline specified in the offer letter
Independent Subjects Tested at St. Mary's College, Crosby
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Mary's College, Crosby
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: St Mary's College is an independent Roman Catholic co-educational school in Crosby, Merseyside (established 1919 as a grammar school). Welcomes boys and girls from all backgrounds who can perform in line with the Catholic/Christian ethos and academic standards.
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Independent 11+ Practice Papers and Quest Software for St. Mary's College, Crosby
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View Independent 11+ practice papers →Academic Performance at St. Mary's College, Crosby (GCSE & A-Level Results)
St Mary’s College is an academically strong Catholic school, consistently among the best in Sefton for GCSE results.
- GCSE: a strong record (recently top in Sefton for English and maths, with around 76% of pupils achieving grade 5+).
- A-Level: strong results in the Sixth Form, with pupils progressing to leading universities.
- Progression: strong progression to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for St. Mary's College, Crosby
St Mary’s College is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Crosby, Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, with entry by assessment (the CAT4) rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in Crosby, about seven miles north of Liverpool, with the Mount Preparatory School nearby in Blundellsands; entry points run from the Early Years and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1919 by the Irish Christian Brothers and fully co-educational since 1989, St Mary’s College is an independent Roman Catholic day school (ages 0–18) in Crosby, Merseyside, with the motto ‘Fidem vita fateri’ (show your faith by the way you live). Now run by lay staff (it ceased to be a Christian Brothers’ school in 2006) and welcoming families of all faiths, it follows Edmund Rice educational principles and is known for strong academic standards, a strong sense of community and excellent pastoral care.
It offers a broad co-curricular programme across sport, music and the arts, and counts figures such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roger McGough and Cardinal Vincent Nichols among its alumni. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Mary's College, Crosby
How do I get into St. Mary's College, Crosby?
To gain entry to St. Mary's College, Crosby Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Does St use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. St uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at St. Mary's College, Crosby?
St. Mary's College, Crosby uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at St. Mary's College, Crosby?
Yes. St. Mary's College, Crosby offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to St. Mary's College, Crosby?
Most independent schools including St. Mary's College, Crosby accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for St. Mary's College, Crosby?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at St. Mary's College, Crosby. No registration required.
When is the St. Mary's College, Crosby 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at St. Mary's College, Crosby is Before the November entrance examination. The registration fee is Non-refundable, payable with application. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are St. Mary's College, Crosby 11+ results announced?
At St. Mary's College, Crosby, 11+ assessment results are Within 2 weeks of the entrance examination. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
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