St Mary’s Scholarship programme is designed to accelerate the development of students that are able in a variety of disciplines. Scholars act as role models and leaders to other students and as ambassadors for St Mary’s. They are encouraged, and expected, to make the most of the wealth of educational opportunities available to them to extend, broaden and strengthen their aptitudes and talents, and to gain valuable experience that will stand them in good stead for the future.
Scholarships & bursaries
Year 7 Scholarships
Please note that the application deadline for Art, Drama, Music, Sport, STEM and The Principal’s Award Scholarships for Year 7 September 2026 entry has now passed.
All registered pupils will still be considered for the Academic Scholarship, which will be awarded based on outstanding performance in the Year 7 entrance assessment.
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.
Details of our Year 7 admissions timelines are available on our Admissions Process page.
Register for Year 7 entrance assessment
Senior School Registration form
To register for a place at St Mary’s Senior School, please complete the registration form below and pay the non refundable £150 registration fee.
Please ensure the non-refundable registration fee is received by the Registrar within seven days of the registration form being submitted. For information on paying the registration fee, please see below:
How to pay
Parents are welcome to pay the School Registration Fee of £150 (non-returnable) and Entry Deposit by internet banking, or by debit/credit card.
The Kindergarten Admissions Fee and the School Acceptance Fee are due at the point of accepting an offer of a place and further information will be provided at the point of an offer being made.
Internet banking
To pay by internet banking, please use the following account information, quoting your daughter’s first name and surname as the reference:
ST MARY’S SCHOOL INTERNET BANKING
| Account name | St. Mary’s School (Colchester) Ltd |
| Account number | 76024368 |
| Sort code | 30-92-16 |
| IBAN | GB27LOYD30921676024368 |
| Swift/BIC number | LOYDGB21115 |
By credit/debit card
Please contact the Finance Department on 01206 572544 (option 4) to arrange.
Further information
Visit us to find out more about Scholarships and all we have to offer at St Mary’s. We hold open days throughout the year. We also hold an annual Scholarship information event in the summer term. Alternatively, our Registrar is happy to conduct individual tours at a time to suit you.
Contact Mrs Justine Tierney, our Registrar, on 01206 594178 or at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk to arrange a visit today. Alternatively, complete our online form to arrange a visit.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available in exceptional circumstances to provide short term financial assistance to parents experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
The award of Bursaries at St Mary’s is decided on a case-by-case basis by the School’s experienced Bursary Committee including members of the Governing Body. Bursaries are subject to an annual review, however, they may be reviewed sooner when the School is informed of a change in a family’s financial circumstances.
Parents are required to complete a Bursary Application Form and a covering letter providing background to the request is advised. Please contact the Finance Office for more information and guidance and for a Bursary Application Form.
Please be advised that the Bursary Committee meets on a termly basis, usually during the second half of a term, in order that decisions regarding bursary awards can be communicated ahead of the following term’s invoices being prepared.
School Fee Plan
For those who would like, there is an option to spread your fees and pay monthly through My School Fee Plan*.
*St Mary’s School (Colchester) Limited is an appointed representative of Premium Credit Limited which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. School Fee Plan is a trading style of Premium Credit Limited (company number 02015200). Credit is subject to status, affordability, terms and conditions apply. Over 18s only. Failure to keep up with your repayments could result in your agreement being cancelled.
A single Entry Deposit of £400 is required on acceptance of a place and is refunded after the end of a pupil’s final term in the school, following final adjustments.
