Beyond Junior School

The next step at St Mary's

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An exceptional head-start for Senior School and beyond.

By the time girls enter Year 6, we understand their personalities, strengths and preferred learning styles – we know their true potential. This knowledge is passed on with great care to our Senior School team.

We are also proud to see girls awarded Scholarships to study at Senior School, using their talents in academic study, dance, drama, sport, art and more.

We help girls and parents prepare for Senior School by:

  • Fostering a sense of belonging – in our homely, warm community, everyone feels a real sense of belonging, that stays students when they leave us.
  • Building positive relationships – in our recent parent survey, 100% of parents rated pupil/parent/teacher relationships very good or good.
  • Creating connections – this happens naturally as we work closely with colleagues in Senior School.
  • Buddying up – many Senior School girls mentor younger pupils and they support Year 6 girls as they prepare to settle in.
  • Ensuring academic continuity – girls continue to build familiar High Performance Learning values, skills and attitudes gained in Junior School.
  • Increasing familiarity – with our Senior School environment reduces any anxiety Year 7 pupils experience as they get used to a larger setting.

Finally, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of friendship. As a Mary Ward School we create an environment where friendship and supporting others are key. Girls approach Senior School very positively, because they are embarking on a new adventure with friends!

Beyond Senior School

Of course, Senior School is all about preparing for life beyond St Mary's and the work of our exceptional Careers Department that begins in Junior School will expand as your daughter moves up the school.

Discover more about our Careers Support

 

Alumnae inspiration

Senior School (2012)

Lucy Unwin, Sculptor

"The inspiration for my work derives from natural forms and organic shapes found in nature or the human figure. When working with stone, I use the natural shape of the material for guidance."

  • A talented athlete, Lucy competed at County level in hockey and athletics whilst at St Mary's
  • She studied Fine Art at Winchester School of Art
  • Lucy now exhibits nationally, as well as in Europe, America and the Caribbean

News from Senior School

Sixth Form (2016)

Rebecca Alexander

"I graduated from Homerton College in the summer of 2020. I am now teaching in a Primary School as a Year 4 teacher. I'm so grateful to everyone at St Mary's who helped me to achieve my dream job!"

  • Graduated with First Class Honours from Loughborough University
  • Captain and Chair of the University's Trampoline Club
  • Completed her Primary PGCE qualification at Homerton College, University of Cambridge