About St. Mary's School Ascot
St. Mary's School Ascot is a girls independent day school in Ascot, Berkshire. 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 School Ascot 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. Ranked #72 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 85%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Mary's School Ascot
St. Mary's School Ascot Admissions Criteria
St. Mary's School Ascot is a girls independent day school in Ascot, Berkshire. 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 School Ascot 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 School Ascot. 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 her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at St. Mary's School Ascot.
- ✓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 School Ascot. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot
Step 1 — Attend one of four Open Mornings per academic year at St
Attend one of four Open Mornings per academic year at St Mary's Ascot (Saturday events with concert, guided tour, talk from the Headmistress)
Step 2 — Register your daughter at least two years prior to the year of entry
Register your daughter at least two years prior to the year of entry — places your daughter on the candidate list
Step 3 — Pay the £300 registration fee
Pay the £300 registration fee
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Your daughter attends St Mary's for a day in December
Your daughter attends St Mary's for a day in December before the year of entry — sits examinations in English, Mathematics and a General Paper (no special preparation required)
Step 6 — Current Year 7 girls take candidates to lunch
Current Year 7 girls take candidates to lunch and provide a school tour
Step 7 — Attend an interview with the Headmistress
Attend an interview with the Headmistress or a senior member of staff
Step 8 — Results communicated within three weeks
Results communicated within three weeks — if a place is offered, reserve with a £2,000 acceptance fee
Independent Subjects Tested at St. Mary's School Ascot
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Mary's School Ascot
Available scholarships and bursaries: Three Academic Scholarships, one All-rounder Scholarship, one Art Scholarship, one Music Scholarship (each worth 5% of fees). Means-tested bursaries available up to 110% of the boarding fee for families who would otherwise be unable to access the school.
Outcome announced: Three Academic Scholarships, one All-rounder, one Art and one Music Scholarship each year — awards worth 5% of fees
Additional notes: St Mary's School Ascot is a small Roman Catholic boarding school for girls aged 11-18 (founded 1885 by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Approximately 380-400 pupils on a 55-acre site in Berkshire. Preference given to girls who are Roman Catholic. ~40 places at 11+, ~20 at 13+. Director of Admissions: Ms Alison Atherton (admissions@stmarysascot.com / +44 (0)1344 296614). ISI 'excellent' in all areas.
Independent Practice Papers for St. Mary's School Ascot
St. Mary's School Ascot uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the St. Mary's School Ascot 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at St. Mary's School Ascot (GCSE & A-Level Results)
St Mary’s Ascot is one of the leading academic girls’ schools in the country, with stellar results at both GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: an outstanding record, regularly near the top of national tables (around 95% of grades at 9–7 in recent years).
- A-Level: excellent results (around 95% at A*–B), with about a third of recent leavers receiving Oxbridge offers.
- Progression: very strong progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for St. Mary's School Ascot
St Mary’s School Ascot is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a predominantly full-boarding school (with only a small number of day places for girls living locally), it draws pupils from across the UK and overseas, with selective entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school gives preference to Roman Catholic families; it sits in 55 acres at South Ascot, about 45 minutes from London, with entry at 11+, 13+ and the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1885 by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Mary’s School Ascot is a leading independent Roman Catholic boarding school for girls (ages 11–18), with the motto ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam’ (for the greater glory of God). A predominantly full-boarding community of around 380 girls shaped by the Mary Ward values of freedom and sincerity, it places its Catholic ethos and strong pastoral care at the centre of school life, with daily chapel, a resident Chaplain and a house system based on the boarding programme.
Set in 55 acres, it offers a vibrant co-curricular programme — including professional-standard productions in its Rose Theatre — alongside extensive sport and music. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Mary's School Ascot
How do I get into St. Mary's School Ascot?
To gain entry to St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot?
St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot?
Yes. St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot?
Most independent schools including St. Mary's School Ascot 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 School Ascot?
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 School Ascot. No registration required.
When is the St. Mary's School Ascot 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at St. Mary's School Ascot is Register at least two years prior to year of entry. The registration fee is £300. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are St. Mary's School Ascot 11+ results announced?
At St. Mary's School Ascot, 11+ assessment results are Within three weeks of the examination. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at St. Mary's School Ascot?
The acceptance deposit at St. Mary's School Ascot is £2,000 acceptance fee to reserve the place. This is payable on acceptance of a place.