St Mary's School, Cambridge
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

St Mary's School, Cambridge is an independent Catholic day and boarding school for girls, situated close to the city centre. Founded in 1898 by the Congregation of Jesus, the school is a charitable trust administered by a council of governors. It comprises a junior school, including an Early Years Foundation Stage setting, and a senior school with a sixth form. Boarding is offered in one house located a short distance from the main school. The school draws its inspiration from the Venerable Mary Ward, a seventeenth-century nun who championed the dignity and worth of all people. This vision shapes an ethos built around integrity, justice, responsibility and respect, with a warm commitment to nurturing a lifelong love of learning in every pupil. Most pupils come from professional families living within 30 miles of the school. The school supports pupils with a wide range of needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those for whom English is an additional language, and those identified as more able or gifted in areas such as art, drama, music, mathematics and science. The curriculum is thoughtfully adapted to ensure that all pupils are well supported and appropriately challenged.

Years 5-6 can attend school with mobiles but must hand these in at the beginning of school and collect at the end of school. Years 7-10 hand mobiles to reception at the start of school and collect at the end of school. Year 11 may keep mobiles in their bag, locker or blazer pocket and can use in the dining room, forms rooms and library. Years 12-13 are allowed mobiles in the sixth form areas. Students with phones must switch them off in lessons, corridors and between 12-2pm.