St Mary's School, Cambridge is an international school in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
Historic university city with world-class academic standing, strong international community, and robust intellectual culture. Safe, walkable environment well-suited to scholarly families worldwide.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted | 36 km | ~57 min | STN — European and budget carriers |
| Luton | 50 km | ~75 min | LTN — European and budget carriers |
| London City | 78 km | ~111 min | — |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Academic Performance
ISI Inspection Report
The inspection found that all relevant Independent School Standards are met. St Mary's School is effectively led with a clear vision based on self-evaluation, a broad curriculum taught by knowledgeable teachers, strong support for SEND and EAL pupils, and well-managed boarding provision. The school's Catholic ethos is central to its approach, with good pupil behavior and a well-resourced co-curricular programme supporting pupils' development.
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | £5,000 | £15,000 |
| Reception, Year 1-2 | £5,390 | £16,170 |
| Year 3-4 | £7,060 | £21,180 |
| Year 5-6 | £7,445 | £22,335 |
| Year 7 to Upper Sixth day | £8,475 | £25,425 |
| Year 5-6 full boarding | £17,240 | £51,720 |
| Year 7-Upper Sixth weekly boarding | £15,340 | £46,020 |
| Year 7-Upper Sixth full boarding | £18,210 | £54,630 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| School lunches | Per term | — |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Merit-based scholarships (3 types)
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
What Makes This School Different
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Online adaptive assessment, 30-minute Creative Writing exam, interview with Senior Leadership Team | End of January | First Monday in March |
| Year 8 | One-hour English paper, one-hour Mathematics paper, interview with Senior Leadership Team | End of January | First Monday in March |
| Year 9 | Online adaptive assessment, 30-minute Creative Writing exam, interview with Senior Leadership Team | End of January | First Monday in March |
| Year 10 | Assessments in English, Mathematics, Science; interview; school reference; Exact screening test | End of January | — |
| Lower Sixth (Year 12) | Predicted grades or written assessment in proposed A Level subjects, assessment day, interview, school reference, Exact screening test | End of January | First week in January |
How to apply
- Complete online application form
- Submit non-refundable application fee (£120 for day place, £180 for boarding place)
- Attend assessment day at school (end of January for Senior School and Sixth Form)
- Receive offer (ideally within one week of assessment)
- Accept place by published deadline
- Pay deposit (£500 for day place, equivalent of one term's fees for boarding place)
What you'll need to submit
- Online registration form
- Non-refundable application fee
- School reference from current school
- Educational Psychologist's report (if applicable for special educational needs)
Open events
- Assessment days held end of January for Senior School applicants
- Welcome events and information evenings for new parents in first half term
Scholarships: Academic and STEM scholarships available at Year 7, 9 and 12; usually £500 fee remission with maximum £1000 per student
Admissions contact: [email protected] or +44 1223 224 167
School welcomes girls with broad range of abilities (typically top 60% of national ability range). Assessment days include pre-assessment tea for Year 7-9 applicants. Interviews conducted as informal 'chat' format. Induction includes pairing with classmate and House assignment.
Why Families Choose
- Sport
Boarding Life
Flexi Boarding, Full Boarding, Weekly Boarding (Monday to Friday)