Year 7 entry
year 7 admissions
The main entry point to the Senior School is Year 7 and this is the point we award Scholarships in various categories including academic, the arts and sport. You can register for a Senior School place online. Once registered, we will guide you through the admissions process and are on hand to answer any questions you may have. Year 7 places and Scholarships are offered before the end of the autumn term of Year 6.
Further details regarding St Mary’s admissions for the Senior School can be found in our Admissions Policy. Alternatively, contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594256 to find out more.
Admissions timeline
Year 7 September 2026 entry
Saturday 14 June 2025: 10am-2pm: Experience day for girls considering joining Year 7 in September 2026 or 2027
We recommend that girls join us for an Experience Day before sitting the entrance assessment, to familiarise themselves with the school and meet other girls looking to join. Our new Experience Day offers the opportunity to gain an insight into the empowering all-round education we offer. This interactive event will include fun-filled activities based on our values of being ambitious, bold, compassionate, dynamic and enquiring.
Sunday 2 November 2025: Deadline for scholarship applications
STEM, Arts and Sports Scholarships as well as the Principal’s Award can be applied for online from 1 September 2025. Academic Scholarships are also offered on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the Entrance Assessment. All-round (Miss Comrie) Scholarships are awarded to St Mary’s Lower School pupils following interviews and cannot be applied for.
Saturday 15 November 2025: Entrance assessments, interviews and SPORT Scholarship assessment
The online entrance assessment consists of English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal and Verbal Reasoning. St Mary’s is a non-selective school, but the entrance assessment allows our staff the opportunity to gauge the suitability of the school for the prospective pupil and is also used to help with setting in Year 7. Pupils who perform exceptionally well in the entrance assessment may be considered for an Academic Scholarship. All candidates are also interviewed by St Mary’s Principal. Shortlisted Scholarship candidates will be invited to assessments on the strength of their application. Specific times will be allocated following the Scholarship application deadline.
Wc 17 NOVEMBER 2025: ART, DRAMA, MUSIC and STEM SCHOLARSHIPS ASSESSMENT AND PRINCIPAL’S AWARD INTERVIEWS
Candidates wishing to be considered for Scholarship awards must have applied in advance and will be invited to the assessment day on the strength of their application. Please contact the Registrar for more details of the format of assessments.
November 2025: All-round (Miss Comrie) Scholarship interviews
Our prestigious All-round Scholarship is named in honour of Miss Phyllis Comrie, St Mary’s headmistress, 1935-1957, who had a desire for outstanding St Mary’s Lower School pupils to progress to Senior School on a special designated Scholarship and kindly bequeathed a gift in her Will to enable this. They are awarded to St Mary’s Lower School pupils following interviews with the Principal, to those with the potential to make a substantial contribution to the life of the school.
December 2025: Offers of places and scholarships
Parents will receive written notification by post of any offers of places and Scholarships.
Tuesday 3 March 2026: Deadline for acceptance of places and scholarships
Parents are requested to accept or decline the offer of a place and any Scholarship by this date. If no communication is received, it will be assumed that the place and any scholarship has been declined, and places may then be offered to any girls on our waiting lists.
June 2026: new parents’ information evening
Key information will be shared with parents of pupils who will be joining in the September. There will be an opportunity to meet key staff and ask any questions.
june 2026: New Pupil induction day and new scholars presentation
Girls joining Year 7 in September are introduced to their form teachers, their forms and their Buddies (older girls who will help them to settle into the school). They will enjoy a day of activities designed to help create a smooth transition to Senior School.
Year 7 Scholarships
All registered pupils will be considered for the Academic Scholarship, which will be awarded based on outstanding performance in the Year 7 entrance assessment. Scholarships for Art, Drama, Music, Sport and STEM must be applied for. Applications for Year 7 2026 entry open on Monday 1 September 2025 and close on Sunday 2 November 2025. In addition, all St Mary’s Lower School pupils will be considered for the All-round (Miss Comrie) Scholarship, named in honour of Miss Phyllis Comrie, St Mary’s headmistress, 1935-1957, who had a desire for outstanding St Mary’s Lower School pupils to progress to Senior School on a special designated Scholarship.
NEW PRINCIPAL’S AWARD
St Mary’s is proud to introduce the new Principal’s Award — a prestigious honour celebrating girls who have achieved exceptional success in any field, from sport and the arts to academic excellence and community impact. Whether you’re a national champion, an award-winning writer, or a change-maker in your community, this award is open to girls joining in Year 7 and recognises those who not only excel but inspire. We are seeking remarkable individuals who embody the values of St Mary’s, lead by example, and will make a lasting contribution to the life of our school as true ambassadors.
