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St Mary's School Ascot  圣玛丽学校阿斯科特,

St Mary’s Road,
South Ascot, Berkshire SL5 9JF
Tel: 01344 623721 Fax: 01344 873281
Website: www.st-marys-ascot.co.uk
• GIRLS, 11–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 360, Upper sixth 51
• Termly fees £4770 (Day), £6900 (Boarding)
• GSA, BSA, CISC
• Enquiries/application to the Registrar

What it’s like
Founded in 1885, it is semi-rural, single-site and purpose-built in 44 acres of very pleasant gardens and grounds. The buildings are well designed and accommodation comfortable. There are very good modern facilities, including a purpose-built science centre, music school and a new sports centre. It is owned and managed by a Roman Catholic charitable trust with lay governors and trustees; some of the staff are Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus. Nearly all pupils are Catholics and the doctrines and practices of the Church (attendance at Mass etc) are an essential part of the curriculum. Academically the standards are high and examination results are excellent. An impressive array of European languages is offered. Music is very strong (most pupils learn an instrument), as are the drama and art departments. A wide range of games, sports and extra-curricular activities. There is commitment to local community schemes and a promising record in both the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Young Enterprise Scheme and CREST awards.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 360 girls (20 day, 340 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 good GCSEs (at least grade B in sixth-form subjects) plus satisfactory school report and interview. Pupils should be Roman Catholic.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 8 pa scholarships, value free music tuition to 30% fees: 4 academic (2 at 11, 1 each at 13 and 16) plus others for music, art, sixth-form science. Parents expected to buy textbooks in sixth form; £300 maximum extras. New pupils are asked to join school laptop scheme.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Mary Breen, in post since 1999. Educated at universities of Exeter and Manchester (physics). Previously Head of Physics at Eton.
Teaching staff: 63 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 37.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 60 pupils in Year 11, 99% gained grade C or above in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 70 (67 over 5 years).
A-levels: 51 in upper sixth: 10% passed in 4 subjects; 90% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 358.

University & college entrance 100% of sixth-form leavers go on to degree courses (60% after a gap year), 19% to Oxbridge. 9% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 13% in science & engineering, 4% in law, 52% in humanities & social sciences, 5% in art & design, 16% in modern languages. Others typically go on to art foundation courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22–24 examination subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 3–5 subjects at AS-level, 3–4 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Key skills: communication and numeracy not taught; ICT taught separately.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Languages: French, German, classical Greek, Latin, Italian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level (French compulsory from age 11 to GCSE). Other languages are catered for, eg Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin. Purpose-built language faculty building with integrated IT, satellite links and language labs. Talks from MEP. Regular junior and senior debates.
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (4 lessons/week Year 7, 2 in Years 8–9) and apply these skills across the curriculum (Years 10 onwards). Most lower sixth take ICT key skills level 3. 100+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with filtered e-mail and internet access. Combination of wired and wireless connections throughout school. School laptop scheme and 30% of pupils own laptops.

The arts
Music: Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestra, choirs, jazz band, early music ensemble various chamber ensembles, pop band. Members in National Youth Choir; members of Junior RA. Choir tour to eg Rome (2004). Musical appreciation group to concerts and opera in London.
Drama & dance: Both offered. A-level drama, LAMDA and Guildhall exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. LAMDA gold medal with distinction.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 2 AS-level, 10 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles and photography also offered. Two in national top five in history of art. Girl’s work has won place in London Expo 2000 Exhibition.

Sport & activities
Sport: Gym, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, rounders, athletics, trampolining, cross-country, fencing. Additional options: squash, golf, rifle shooting, ballet, tap, jazz dancing, aerobics, canoeing, body-conditioning, and yoga. Tennis team successful nationally (HSBC championship) and county level; netball and hockey district champions (various age groups).
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (good record of achievement). Community service compulsory for 1 year at age 16/17. Up to 30 eg debating, Friends of the Earth, art, CREST, theatre, human rights, music, wine-tasting, Young Enterprise, creative writing, photography, candlemaking, bridge, chess, backstage, computer, public speaking, drama, cooking, philosophy.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form.
House & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects – mixture of appointment by Head and election by school.
Religion: Compulsory worship in accordance with requirements of RC Church.
Social: Regular debates, sports events, public speaking competitions, theatrical performances with other schools; choral concerts in London. Organised skiing trips abroad; A-level history of art trip to Italy; classics trip to Greece; language trips to France and Austria. Juniors may keep small pets. Meals self-service (including vegetarian options). No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect their tutor to be informed (‘on report’ on second occasion; detention on third). Those caught taking illicit drugs on the premises may expect immediate expulsion; those caught smoking are fined £20 for second offence, suspension for fourth.

Boarding Upper sixth have single study bedrooms in own purpose-built courtyard of six houses. Most others have single or double study bedroom; 10% are in dormitories of 6+. Five competitive houses of 60 girls divided by age. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. 2–3 termly exeats. Visits to local town allowed, with permission of Head of House.

Alumni association Ascot Old Girls’ Association, c/o Mrs P Dewes at the school.

Former pupils Baroness Sarah Hogg; Marina Warner; Antonia Fraser; Princess Caroline of Monaco; Katherine Bergen (The Times); Lady Celestria Hale (Jennifer’s Diary, Harpers & Queen); Lucy Nelson (Foundress, Tommy’s Campaign); Annoushka Ducas (founder Links of London); Olga Polizzi (hotelier); Katherine Garrett-Cox (Chief Investment Office, Asset Management).