Year 7 entry
September 2027 entry and beyond
Year 7 is the main entry point to our Senior School and an exciting start to the next stage of your daughter’s education. To find out more about admissions, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Justine Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594178.
open days
Alternatively you can visit us at our next Senior School Open Days. Reserve your place today.
- Senior School Open Day: Friday 9 October, 9.30-11.30am
- Senior School Open Day: Saturday 10 October, 9.30-11.30am
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 594178 to find out more.
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 2027 entry open on Tuesday 1 September 2026 and close on Sunday 1 November 2026. 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.
As part of the application for the Sports Scholarship, an external reference is requested.
Details of our Year 7 admissions timelines are available on our Admissions Process page.
PRINCIPAL’S AWARD
St Mary’s is proud to introduce the 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 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.
Admissions timeline
Year 7 September 2027 entry
Saturday 16 MAY 2026: 10am-2pm: Experience day for girls considering joining Year 7 in September 2027 or 2028
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. Places can be reserved by completing the online booking form.
Sunday 1 November 2026: Deadline for registering to secure your daughter’s entrance assessment and interview slot on Saturday 14 November, and to apply for scholarships
Girls must be registered to sit our entrance assessment and to apply for any Scholarships. Our online registration form can be completed here.
Sunday 1 November 2026: Deadline for scholarship applications
STEM, Arts and Sports Scholarships as well as the Principal’s Award can be applied for online from 1 September 2026. 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.
WC 9 November 2026: 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.
Saturday 14 November 2026: Entrance assessments, interviews and SPORTS 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 Sports Scholarship candidates will be invited to assessments on the strength of their application. Specific times will be allocated following the Scholarship application deadline.
MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2026: 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.
TUESDAY 15 December 2026: Offers of places and scholarships
Parents will be sent written notification by post of any offers of places and Scholarships.
WC 11 JANUARY 2027: taster dayS
Girls who have been offered places will be invited to join us for a Taster Day, where they will experience lessons and enrichment activities.
Tuesday 2 March 2027: 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.
WC 7 June 2027: 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.
FRIDAY 18 june 2027: 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.
