St Mary's Psychology Students Shine at National Competition

On Wednesday 18 June, A Level Psychology students Connie M. and Maryam S. represented St Mary’s School, Cambridge at the prestigious National Psychology Competition hosted by Royal Holloway, University of London.

Competing against over forty Sixth Form teams from across the UK, Connie and Maryam produced an engaging two-minute film and an insightful research poster exploring psychological approaches to maintaining healthy online behaviour. Their project focused on how teenagers can be supported to navigate the digital world more mindfully, drawing on research into adolescent brain development and behaviour.

The students presented their work to an audience of peers and academics, followed by a live Q&A with judges from Royal Holloway’s Psychology Department. The judges praised their strong understanding of psychological theory, especially regarding the teenage brain, and commended the thoughtful application of their research to real-world digital challenges.

In addition to the competition, the day included an inspiring lecture by Clinical Psychologist Dr Bird, who spoke about the use of augmented reality board games as a tool to support teenage mental health—an area closely linked to Connie and Maryam’s own research focus.

Although the team didn’t secure the top prize, they received a commendation for their poster presentation and were recognised for their clear, research-driven insights into healthier phone use among young people. Their poster will be proudly displayed at the upcoming A Level Subject Fair, celebrating their achievement and the wider relevance of Psychology in today's world.

Congratulations to Connie and Maryam for representing St Mary’s with such professionalism, creativity, and purpose.