Further Information 2018/19
Contents 01 Academic Curriculum 03 Admissions Procedure 04 Fees & Extras 06 Location & Travel 08 Scholarship Information 17 Contact
Academic Curriculum At St Mary’s we provide a vibrant and varied curriculum which inspires our pupils to be academically ambitious as well as satisfying their intellectual curiosity Our inspirational staff offer the highest standards of teaching and support the girls throughout their educational journey to ensure they reach their full academic potential. We have high expectations of our girls to achieve their best both in and out of the classroom. Happiness, wellbeing and personal development are intrinsic to their success and we support their development towards becoming accomplished young women. We are passionate about this holistic approach to our academic and co-curricular education and we proudly strive to
1
follow in our founder, Mary Ward’s, footsteps as pioneers in girls’ education. Our approach to learning focuses on the individual and we work with the girls to set manageable and measurable targets. Regular reporting enables parents to monitor their child’s progress and gives our teaching staff the opportunity to identify quickly areas of strength and weakness. Our commitment to each and every pupil allows the girls to flourish personally and academically, and to be the very best they can be.
Junior School
GCSE
A Level
In the first five years at St Mary’s we have specialist staff teaching all areas of the curriculum. This includes: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), French, Latin, History, Geography, Religious Studies, ICT, Art, Textiles, Food Technology, Design and Technology, Music, Drama and Physical Education.
We provide the girls with a balanced study programme which gives each individual a broad education until the end of their GCSE year, ensuring the widest choice of opportunities later on. A tailor-made timetable will include the core subjects, (English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science and a Modern Foreign Language) as well as additional subjects from a number of different Option Blocks. We expect all girls to take a total of nine or ten GCSEs.
In the Sixth Form our pupils are able to choose from 22 A Level subjects. Most opt to take three A levels although it is possible to take a fourth subject in some circumstances. All the girls are also taught a bespoke Sixth Form Enrichment Programme which includes visits from motivational speakers, attending enrichment events and undertaking assignments to encourage independent thinking. All Sixth Formers have the opportunity to take our Global English Learning and Teaching (GELT) course which is accredited by Cambridge University, opening up exciting opportunities for our pupils once they leave St Mary’s.
Additional GCSE options are: Art, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Music, History, Geography, Latin, Photography, Physical Education and Textiles. Girls who show an aptitude for Science may study Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately.
2
A Level subject choices are: Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Economics, English Literature, French, Further Maths, Geography, History, History of Art, Latin, Maths, Music, Philosophy & Ethics, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology and Spanish.
Admissions Procedure Visit the School It is important to us that the new girls who join St Mary’s are happy and secure within our unique academic, pastoral and spiritual community. To ensure that prospective parents and pupils have had the opportunity to experience the school to the full, we recommend that families try to attend one of our Open Mornings, which are held at least once a term. Seeing the school at work, having a tour of the stunning grounds and facilities and meeting our current girls, staff and Headmistress is a good way to establish an initial overall impression of St Mary’s. We would then encourage you to come and meet privately with the Headmistress and other staff and for potential pupils to come and enjoy a taster day and sleepover. This is the perfect way to experience life at St Mary’s and all that we have to offer.
Registration Parents are encouraged to register their daughters as early as possible. This ensures that you receive our newsletters and any other information that may be of interest to prospective parents and pupils. Most importantly, it secures your interest in a place at St Mary’s and guarantees you the opportunity to sit our entrance exam
which takes place in the January of the year of entry.
the desire to develop other skills and interests.
Registration Forms are available from the Director of Admissions and should be completed and returned with the non-returnable registration fee of £150.
Formal Offer and Acceptance of a Place
Entrance Assessments We have our own Entrance Examination Day at St Mary’s for all girls starting the school in Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (UIII to UIV). This takes place in the January of the year of entry and includes English, Mathematics and a Verbal Reasoning Test. Sixth Form applicants will be assessed using their predicted GCSE grades, and may also be required to take our school entrance exam. Each pupil will be personally assessed and interviewed, and a candidate will be accepted on the basis that we are confident that St Mary’s is the right environment for the pupil to reach their full potential. All prospective pupils must fulfil the school’s entrance criteria. They must show they have the ability to follow the core academic curriculum and
3
UK Applicants Provided pupils reach the required standard in the assessment, a formal offer of a place at St Mary’s will be made. To confirm this place, we ask that a completed Acceptance Form is returned to us with a deposit of £750. This is returnable at the end of the pupil’s final term when it will be credited, without interest, to the final invoice.
International Students The admissions procedure for international students is the same as our UK applicants although there will be provision made for them to sit their entrance exams in their country of residence. On accepting the offer of a place an additional deposit of £10,000 is normally required.
Fees & Extras Fees per term for the academic year 2018/2019 are as follows:
Optional Extras (per term)
Tennis Coaching*
Music
Upper IV to Upper VI (Years 9 to 13) Boarder £10,490 International Boarder £10,950 Day Pupil £6,950
Musical instrument or singing tuition is charged per term.
1:1 £15 per lesson 1:2 £12 per lesson 1:3 £9 per lesson
Lower IV (Year 8) Boarder £9,100 International Boarder £9,580 Day Pupil £6,280 Upper III (Year 7) Boarder £8,650 International Boarder £9,080 Day Pupil £5,970 Lower III (Years 5 & 6) Boarder £6,695 International Boarder £7,055 Day Pupil £5,400 Sibling Discount: Core fees are reduced by 5% for a second, and 10% for a third and subsequent daughter when simultaneously attending St Mary’s. Occasional boarding: Girls may board at school on an occasional basis (maximum three nights a week), subject to availability. £45 per night – charged in arrears.
10 x 35 minute lessons £265 (Theory of music and aural classes are free of charge)
Note. Lessons will be charged where a place has been booked and notice of 48 hours or less is given of withdrawal from the lesson.
Speech and Drama* Hire of instruments variable rates. Notes for music. 1. First term charged in arrears. 2. If due to unforeseen circumstances a teacher cannot teach a lesson in one term, efforts will be made to make up the lesson. If the full number of lessons is not delivered a credit for the shortfall will be made at the end of the academic year.
Dance All dance, including Acro Dance, Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary to be booked and paid for directly with TLW Dance (www.tlwdance.co.uk)
10 x 35 minute lessons per term. Individual lessons £270 Shared lessons £170 Note. First term and exam term are charged in arrears.
Learning Support Lessons* 10 x 35 minute lessons per term One pupil per class £255 per term Two pupils per class £195 per term Three or more pupils per class £150 per term
English as a Foreign Language*
Riding Lessons
Individual lessons £30 per lesson Shared lessons £15 per lesson
Charged individually, inclusive of transport, £33 per lesson
Note. Examination fees will be charged in the spring term.
Fencing Lessons*
Language Lessons (Extra-Curriculur)*
£105 per term
Individual lessons £35 per hour * For these activities a full term’s notice is required once the activity has commenced.
Public Examination Fees Charged in the Spring Term.
4
Scholarships and Bursaries There are Academic, Art, Music, Sports, Dance, Drama and All Rounder Mary Ward scholarships available at St Mary’s, all of which attract a 10% remission of core day or boarding fees. There is an 11+ Local Catholic Primary School Academic Scholarship which offers a remission of up to 20% of the fees, in accordance with parental means. The level of support may be increased by applying for further bursarial assistance.
Bursaries St Mary’s is able to offer assistance with school fees to enable pupils to attend the school who otherwise would not be able to do so. Means tested bursarial awards may be given and all are reviewed annually. Please contact the Bursary for more details.
HM Armed Forces The school supports daughters of serving Armed Forces parents through the offer of a 10% fee remission from the date it is claimed.
Catholic Prep Schools A 10% fee remission is offered for any pupil joining from a Catholic Prep School.
5
Location and Travel Situation
Finding St Mary’s
Situated on a stunning 55-acre estate on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, St Mary’s offers the very best of English country boarding. Set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its historical buildings, sweeping drive and elegant grounds nestled within rolling hills cannot fail to provide the pupils with the space and inspiration to thrive and succeed.
By Road
By Air
St Mary’s is located off the A30, the road between Salisbury and Shaftesbury, and is just two miles outside of Shaftesbury.
London Heathrow and Bristol Airports are both approximately 1 hour 30 minutes away. London Gatwick is approximately 2 hours away.
If you are using sat nav, the postcode is SP7 9LP.
Coaches and minibuses are arranged for pupils travelling to and from airports. The school will always seek the best value for money option and costs will be shared between passengers and charged to accounts.
The school is located just outside the beautiful North Dorset town of Shaftesbury. Featuring frequently as Shaston in Thomas Hardy’s novels, Shaftesbury has retained the traditional quality of a quintessential English rural town whilst benefiting from modern transport links. Just 15 minutes from the A303 and Tisbury and Gillingham train stations, there are excellent links with London (just under 2 hours) and the nearby cities of Salisbury (30 minutes) and Bath (45 minutes).
We run an escorted coach or minibus to London for pupils at half term and exeat weekends subject to demand. £28.50 per journey.
School Minibuses By Rail The nearest mainline stations are Tisbury and Gillingham; both are on the London to Exeter railway line. Taxis are available to and from both stations but must be booked in advance. The school organises taxis for pupils travelling to and from school by train. These must be booked in advance through the school.
To the South, we are just 45 minutes from the world- famous Jurassic Coast and we have the historical monuments of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral nearby.
6
The school runs a minibus service for day girls. Please contact the Bursary for routes and charges.
Oxford
•
Bristol
•
Reading Bath
•
•
•
Gillingham train station
Yeovil
•
Gatwick Airport
• Tisbury train station
• Salisbury
Heathrow Airport
•
Southampton
• Bournemouth 7
•London
•
Scholarship Information St Mary’s prides itself on offering a variety of scholarship opportunities across the whole curriculum. These prestigious awards are open to all external candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent and ability in one or more subjects. Our scholarship programme supports the ethos that runs throughout the school of students being encouraged to strive to realise their full potential. We have Scholars in Music, Art, Sport, Drama and Dance as well as our Academic Scholars and we have high expectations of them all. They have a pivotal role in demonstrating and championing the Mary Ward values that are at the heart of the school and that make St Mary’s an exceptional learning environment. Our Scholars are expected to challenge themselves
in their area of specialism, but also in a variety of areas throughout the school, whilst inspiring those around them. St Mary’s is admired not only for its success and achievements on the sports field and in the exam hall but also for its values and pastoral care. The girls take pride in this reputation and we expect our Scholars to uphold these values and share in the belief that supporting and encouraging your contemporaries is equally as important as personal success and achievement. For those who are exceptional in one or more disciplines and excited by the prospect of challenging themselves and inspiring those around them, a scholarship application is an avenue to pursue.
8
9
Academic Scholarships Academic Scholarships awarded at 9+, 11+ and 13+ will normally continue through to the end of Sixth Form, subject to satisfactory annual reviews.
9+, 11+ and 13+ Academic Scholarships (for entry into Years 5, 7 and 9) The selection process is as follows: The candidate is expected to attain a high standard in the school entrance examinations and will be required to sit an additional academic scholarship examination. The candidate will have an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team. St Mary’s will request a testimonial and academic report from the candidate’s present school along with any other available supporting evidence.
11+ Local Catholic Primary School Scholarships (for entry into Year 7) The Local Catholic Primary School Academic Scholarship is open only to children at the following schools: St Mary’s RC Primary School Marnhull, Wardour Catholic Primary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Primary School, Wincanton, St Osmund’s RC Primary School, Salisbury and St George’s RC Primary School, Warminster. A day scholarship is awarded annually to a Catholic girl of academic merit, who would otherwise not seek admission. The scholarship offers a remission of up to 20% of the fees, in accordance with parental means, and will normally continue through to the end of the Sixth Form subject to a satisfactory annual review.
Sixth Form Academic Scholarships (for entry into Year 12) Scholarships are offered for the twoyear duration of Sixth Form. The scholarship is open to both internal and external candidates. Scholarship candidates are expected to achieve a minimum of eight GCSE passes, with Grade A/7 in at least their three A Level choices.
10
External Candidates The candidate’s mock examination results will form the basis of the selection process together with the following: Candidates will be asked to attend academic examinations and an interview with a panel which may include the Head, Deputy Head, Head of Sixth Form and Heads of Departments. There will be a series of examinations consisting of a general intelligence paper, a general essay paper and papers for two of the A Level subject choices. If one of the choices is a Modern Foreign Language, an oral component will be included.
Internal Candidates The candidate’s mock examination results will form the basis of the selection process together with the following: A letter of application from the candidate to be submitted to the Head. An interview with a panel which may include the Head, Deputy Head, Head of Sixth Form and Heads of Departments.
Art Scholarships Art Scholarships (for entry into Years 5, 7, 9 and 12) Scholarships are offered at 9+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ to girls whose work shows genuine promise and who demonstrate a sincere interest in the visual arts. The selection process is as follows: All candidates are required to submit a portfolio of work. This should contain varied examples of work produced both under guidance as part of a school programme and pieces which have been done purely for interest in free, undirected time whether at school or home.
Candidates successful in the initial selection will then be required to attend an interview, sit a practical exam within the Art Department and pass the school’s entrance examination. An Art Scholar would be expected to study Art for GCSE or beyond. An award made at 13+ will continue throughout Sixth Form if the Scholar studies Art for A Level. A student offered the Art Scholarship at 16+ will be expected to take Art or a related subject at A Level.
All artwork is accepted (textiles, ceramics, constructions, photography etc.) but we expect examples of drawing and painting to be included. Pieces should be clearly labelled as guided (G) or undirected (U). No prescribed number of pieces is required but we urge candidates to think about quality rather than quantity and suggest a maximum of 20 items.
11
Music Scholarships Music Scholarships (for entry into Years 5, 7, 9 and 12) Scholarships are offered at 9+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. As well as the standard 10% fee reduction, our Music Scholars receive free tuition for two instruments which equates to 10 x 35 minute lessons per term. We ask that candidates play two instruments to the standard stated in the following guidelines. It would be an advantage if one of those instruments is the piano. However, potential as a musician is more important than actual grades, so not having reached the indicated levels should not prevent a scholarship application being made. 9+
Candidates are required to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument/voice and one piece on their second instrument/voice. Sight reading is expected on the main study only. Documentary evidence of examinations passed in both practice and theoretical grades must accompany an application. Tests in general aural awareness will also be given. This may take the form of studying an unseen piece of music for 20 minutes and then performing it. Candidates will take part in other musical activities on the day of their audition.
Main Instrument Grade 1/2
11+ Main Instrument Grade 3 Second Instrument Grade 1/2
The successful candidates must have passed the school’s entrance examination.
13+ Main Instrument Grade 5 Second Instrument Grade 2/3
Our Music Scholars would be expected to study Music at GCSE and A Level.
16+ Main Instrument Grade 7/8 Second Instrument Grade 4/5
Prospective Music Scholars are invited to meet informally with the Director of Music in advance of the scholarship day, to discuss the process and to ensure that they are fully prepared.
12
Sport Scholarships Sports Scholarships (for entry into Years 5, 7, 9 and 12) Scholarships are offered at 9+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. The following are guidelines to the standard required of candidates: The candidate should demonstrate an exceptionally high standard of performance in at least two major sports, county representations is an advantage. Major sports: Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Athletics and Swimming. Ability in other sports may also be taken into consideration. Candidates who apply for a Sports Scholarship will be assessed in the following: Netball and Hockey: Candidates will be expected to play an accomplished game for their age in their chosen position as well as understanding of at least one other position. Athletics and Cross Country: Candidates will be expected to show their last season’s best times and performances. Time trials, jumps and throws may be undertaken on the scholarship day.
13
Swimming: Candidates will participate in an assessed swimming session. Tennis: Current standard will be assessed through the candidates playing a singles game. We will be looking particularly for game awareness and potential. Candidates will be asked to perform a skills circuit in order to assess their fitness, speed, agility and coordination. All candidates will undergo a short interview with members of the PE Department. Candidates are expected to be conversant with rules, tactics and training schedules for their sports relevant to their age and standard and to be familiar with current topics of debate in the world of sport. Candidates will submit a written record of all their sporting achievements and any positions of sporting responsibility they have held during their time at school. Successful candidates must have passed the school’s entrance exam. Successful Sports Scholars are expected to show full commitment to the sports department and any fixtures or events.
Drama & Dance Scholarships Drama Scholarships
Dance Scholarships
(for entry into Years 5, 7, 9 and 12)
St Mary’s works in collaboration with Shaftesbury’s renowned TLW Dance to provide our Elite Dance Academy.
Drama Scholarships will be offered at 9+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ to girls who can show exceptional creative flair, a strong use of movement and voice, good imagination and an active interest in theatre. We would expect candidates to have some performance experience outside of their school environment although this is not essential. Assessment will take place through an audition where the candidate will be expected to perform two contrasting monologues. It is important for candidates to show a range of ability in areas such as accent, age, mood and attitude, through voice and physical performance skills. Candidates will be interviewed by the Head of Drama and may be asked to participate in an improvisation workshop.
Through our Dance Scholarships we attract some of the brightest and most talented dancers from the UK and abroad to live and study at St Mary’s while training to the highest standards at TLW. For more information about entry requirements please contact our Director of Admissions on admissions@stmarys.eu
The successful candidates must have passed the school’s entrance examination.
14
All Round Scholarships Mary Ward Scholarships Our Mary Ward All Round Scholarships are available at 9+, 11+ and 13+ and are awarded to girls who will contribute to the school as a whole through their abilities in more than one area. We require girls to be able to demonstrate a high standard in Art, Dance, Drama, Music or Sport as well as having good academic ability. Girls are also expected to live by the Mary Ward ethos which is at the very heart of the school. Candidates for the Mary Ward Scholarships will be assessed through interview, and during the relevant scholarship days. Successful candidates must have passed the school’s entrance exam.
15
Conditions The majority of our scholarships attract 10% remission of core day or boarding fees, apart from our 11+ Local Catholic Primary School Academic Scholarship which offers a remission of up to 20% of the fees, in accordance with parental means. A pupil who is awarded a scholarship is required to work hard, to contribute positively to the life of the school, to set a good example to others and to engage in their scholarship subject beyond the classroom. All scholarships will be reviewed annually. If a pupil has fallen below the required standards in terms of progress, there will be consultation with the parents and pupil. Ultimately, if standards are not met, there is the possibility that the scholarship will be withdrawn. For more information on any of our scholarships please contact our Director of Admissions on admissions@stmarys.eu
16
Contact Director of Admissions Mrs Catherine Kelleher 01747 857111 admissions@stmarys.eu
Headmistress Mrs Maria Young (via the Head’s PA) Mrs Kerry Condie 01747 857105 headspa@stmarys.eu
Bursar & Clerk to the Governors Mrs Sudipa Ghosh 01747 851188 bursar@stmarys.eu
General Enquiries 01747 852416 enquiries@stmarys.eu
Chairman of Governors Ms Victoria Younghusband c/o Clerk to the Governors St Mary’s Shaftesbury Shaftesbury Dorset SP7 9LP
17
+44 (0)1747 852416 www.stmarys.eu
18