PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Introduction
As you know, we are ambitious for our girls here at The Marist, encouraging them to ‘reach for the stars’.
Our heritage is important to us and provides a strong foundation on which to grow our vibrant and happy community. Our girls are adventurous, they are kind, they are determined, they champion one another.
I am confident that your daughter will achieve great things at The Marist and, with her pockets full of good examination results she will go on to open the doors to wherever she wants to go. Important as grades are, education is about much more and in today’s world, young people need more too.
As a proudly small school, we are able to adapt our curriculum to ensure that, from an early age, your daughter is acquiring skills which transcend the standard curriculum. Be that developing new skills through the Marist Diploma Programme; embracing the leadership opportunities; the higher level cognitive skills in Aim Higher; or the extensive enrichment and co-curricular programmes afforded all students through Prep and Senior. STEM subjects at all ages have become increasingly popular at The Marist and you will have seen the additional focus we have added to this area of learning.
An all-through setting like ours is enjoying a resurgence in popularity nationally as parents eschew the
constant changing of schools at key access points and decide on a school where the values, the academic excellence and the ambition ensure confidence throughout their child’s formal schooling.
We have exciting plans ahead for our wonderful school, with further investment in to our rapidly expanding Early Years and VI Form, classroom refurbishments across the whole school, ambitious plans to bring the woodland and lake into use, and imminent sign off on the new dining hall designs, ready for implementation in 2025.
We look forward to the next stage of your daughter’s Marist journey.
Jo Smith
At our dynamic and ambitious school we provide our girls with an inspiring education, encourage their intellectual curiosity and give them a sense of belonging that will last a lifetime.
The Girls’ School Advantage
Research shows that girls who have enjoyed an all-girls’ education are more engaged, confident and ready to lead than their co-ed peers. Girls’ schools champion the educational needs specific to girls and create a culture of achievement. In recent studies it has been shown that:
• 80% feel pushed to achieve their full academic potential in class compared to just 72% of girls at co-ed independent schools and 44% in state schools.
• Girls’ school leavers are 6 x more likely to consider STEM subjects at university.
• 93% said they were offered greater leadership opportunities than their peers at co-ed schools, building confidence and skills to rise as our future leaders.
At The Marist, our girls learn and thrive in a supportive environment built just for them.
We remain proudly single sex because, as experts in girls’ education and wellbeing, we understand your daughter’s needs and aspirations. We know that girls at The Marist will grow up to be confident; they will play sport, perform on stage, develop as leaders and risk takers because they are in an environment where stereotypes play no part.
Our students leave us with high expectations of themselves and of others and they make good use of their Marist experiences to have a positive impact on the world.
Girls that go to single sex schools are more confident, more empowered, better able to pursue their ambitions and feel unhindered by their gender.
The GDST Girls’ Futures Report
43% of GCSE results achieved were 2 or more grades higher than targeted on entry.
Academic Rigour
We deliver an exciting education which is innovative and ambitious, to encourage every student to explore new learning opportunities, to develop a lifelong love of learning and aspire to be the best they can be.
There is a special relationship between teacher and student which promotes trust; it initiates a willingness to push their boundaries of learning. In VI Form the new bespoke curriculum draws on wider learning and allows for further qualifications through our enrichment programme which includes Leadership, Business French and Elite Sports. EPQ and Further Maths remain key qualifications to add to the choice of full A Levels.
We offer extra opportunities for extending every learner’s academic experience with flagship programmes such as our Aim Higher sessions which deliver topics to encourage debate and critical thought. This independent learning helps our students develop key future skills in areas such as teamwork, research and public speaking. Students also access opportunities to be involved with MACE debating competitions and the Model United Nations. This year has also seen the launch of the Marist Diploma, an initiative that focuses on the development of learning beyond the curriculum.
We have a robust Scholars’ programme in which student leadership is an essential cornerstone and every year the schedule is overseen by the Year 13 Scholars.
They also have access to the ‘Lecture Series’, a bespoke programme of talks, which exists to stretch students in their perception of and exposure to different subject disciplines which run alongside our Aim Higher events. Our external links have allowed us to further develop the Oxbridge, MedSoc and LawSoc so that we are ensuring full preparation for this highly competitive arena. We operate a personalised learning programme where feedback is individual and designed to further learning, and where a ‘challenge for all’ culture operates in every classroom. We plot and track the progress of every child through Achieving Excellence in Learning (AEL) meetings so that we can instigate a small boost whenever needed.
Success in Prep
Our success is multifaceted and can manifest in various ways in the Prep and Nursery, with our youngest cohort transitioning into Reception well above age-related expectations and fully ready for a more formal approach to education.
The girls have teachers who are experts in all-girl’s education, have access to subject specialists, ‘senior school’ facilities and resources. They become well-rounded individuals who are academically prepared, confident, empathetic, and ready to make positive contributions beyond the classroom. With exciting initiatives such as our ‘Aim Higher’ projects, the Marist Diploma and ‘Wow’ questions, we ignite their potential.
Success at the Prep goes beyond striving for academic excellence and includes the holistic development of our girls. This includes them being part of our through school inter-house programme, taking on challenges in a safe and supportive environment, formal leadership roles across all year groups, driving community initiatives such as the work of the Mini Vinnies or utilising our 55 acres of woodland space as we become a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Outdoor Learning.
We encompass physical, mental, emotional and social growth with the girls having opportunities to explore their interests, develop critical thinking skills and engage in co-curricular activities. Recent examples include our production of Frozen, the fantastic Book Festival and our ‘Fiver Challenge’ where they have raised over a thousand pounds for charity.
The girls are empowered to recognise they are all leaders and advocates for themselves and others. They celebrate different cultures, perspectives and backgrounds, addressing biases and inequalities that are seen throughout the world.
Our Year 5 STEM Day is a wonderful example of us breaking global stereotypes. Success is evident when the girls develop confidence in their abilities, have a positive self-image and are comfortable expressing themselves.
The positive relationships between the girls, teachers and parents with events such as ‘Share my Learning’, help contribute to a supportive environment which I believe prepare the girls for life beyond Year 6.
Will May
discover her talents, enable her success and build a strength of character that will stay with her for life.
Moving in to Senior
The most obvious benefit of a through-school education is the personalised learning on offer, with the knowledge and familiarity of how to help your daughter reach her potential.
Staff get to know every pupil and their family, as they progress from Nursery through to VI Form, forging long-term, supportive relationships, having guided the girls through their development and provided detailed handovers from one phase to the next.
The Marist Transition programme is unique. From Year 5 Taster Days, leading to the 11+ entrance assessments, girls are invited to a series of events to help familiarise themselves with our process, meet staff and the external cohort of joiners. They get together for socials, team building events and induction days which provides a real sense of security ahead of starting Senior School in
September. Indeed, it is this sense of security that enables Marist girls to look forward with confidence and conviction.
The younger members of our school benefit from the role modelling the older girls provide, and equally, the older pupils develop their empathy and leadership skills. Shared traditions such as House Singing and The Santa Dash cement a sense of community and togetherness and as they move in to Year 7, our vertical Lily Groups allow further unity between year groups.
In September, nearly 80% of Year 6 Students move up to the Senior School, 27% of whom were awarded scholarships for 2024.
Of the 643,000 children who sat their GCSEs last year in England, only 125 achieved grade 9s in all subjects taken, when sitting 11 or more subjects.
2 of them were Marist girls.
Life in VI Form
Our whole school vision is Excellence as a habit, not an action. Excellence in who we are; Excellence in what we do; Excellence in our service of others.
Our VI Form is dedicated to academic excellence and our new VI Form Centre creates a vibrant learning environment where students thrive both intellectually and personally. Focused on achieving outstanding A Level results, we aspire to empower our girls with critical skills, creativity, emotional maturity and leadership, preparing them to be resilient, excel globally, and contribute meaningfully to society.
VESPA (Vision, Effort, Systems, Practice, Attitude) training forms the start of our A Level provision. Students begin their VI Form journey with an informative session that embraces their aspirations and
visualises their goals alongside a positive mindset. These sessions are led by the VI Form team and introduce students to implementing their route to success. We recognise that each pathway will be as individual as each student. By beginning the year cementing study skills at the core of their learning, we ensure that they are equipped with the necessary tools to succeed.
At our Higher Education event we host speakers from a variety of Universities and plan to grow this to include guests offering information on Medsoc, Oxbridge, Law Humanities, InvestIN, Super Curriculum opportunities, MOOCS and the importance of work experience.
Your daughter will be inspired, challenged, supported and encouraged throughout her Marist journey. We will provide her with a compass for life and she will know that she belongs to a larger community of like-minded individuals.
STEM Vision
We strive to give our students a myriad of opportunities to build a passion for STEM subjects and to ignite their curiosity.
We aim to provide an inspiring curriculum, delivered to the highest standard by specialist teachers who help the students celebrate their academic achievements.
It is important girls see the STEM subjects as valuable and how they can be applied in the real world. By participating in the national Crest Awards (British Science Association), they engage in independent science investigations, explore their interests, conduct research and present their findings. Our girls leave the Marist ready to embrace the diverse career paths within the STEM disciplines. Regular talks from professionals keep the curriculum relevant and engaging. The MedSoc and Aim Higher programmes equip students with the ability to embrace super-curricular opportunities needed to access the top universities.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are key. We offer a range of competitions from House STEM to the UKMT Maths Challenge and the Oxford University Computing Challenge (OUCC), engaging students in real world problem solving and the opportunity to celebrate academic excellence.
STEM is a quickly evolving field and it is important we continue to put our students at the forefront of this and give them the skills they need, whichever path they choose.
Placed 10th out of 750 schools in the CyberFirst Girls’ Competition 2023/2024.
Embracing a Digital Future
The world is changing rapidly, driven by technology and globalisation. To succeed in this new environment, students need to develop advanced skills beyond traditional academic knowledge.
These skills, often referred to as 21st-century learning skills, include critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, digital literacy and global citizenship. They enable students to become adaptable, flexible and innovative learners who can thrive in an ever-changing world. They also prepare them for the workforce, where employers increasingly demand employees who can work effectively in teams, solve complex problems, and use technology to their advantage.
Blended learning offers a range of benefits, combining traditional classroom teaching with online resources, fostering a dynamic learning environment. The girls receive a personalised learning experience, which caters to a range of abilities, whilst equipping them with the skills they need in the future. It encourages their collaborative and communication skills and also enables teachers to actively track progress effectively and provide timely and personalised feedback.
In today’s digital age, technological literacy is essential and it is important that education helps students understand and navigate technology confidently. The new Marist Maker Space has been an opportunity for our students to engage with technology beyond the curriculum and enable them to get creative with coding, app design, 3D printing and robotics. The popularity of these clubs has soared, and girls from Year 5 upwards are able to design and code their own solutions to real world problems.
Outdoor Learning
We are passionate about Outdoor Learning and we are fortunate to have 55-acres of beautiful woodland to explore on a regular basis.
From Nursery up to VI Form, our girls’ get to embrace this natural space and develop a wider knowledge of the great outdoors.
In 2018 The Marist Friends, firm supporters of Outdoor Education, helped fund a bespoke outdoor learning classroom, called Hillview. Hillview is fully equipped allowing us more flexibility with our teaching and is a constant hub of activity.
During our Forest School training, the girls develop key skills; resilience, perseverance and leadership, making learning more memorable and further extending their overall Marist experience.
The Outdoor Learning curriculum covers a broad range and includes STEM subjects, Art, Literacy, RE, PSHE, Topic and more. We link the outdoor learning lessons to the national curriculum and our ‘Creative’ curriculum. This could be cooking teriyaki noodles or pizza over the fire with Year 2 or Year 4 building 2D Robots from sticks and measuring the perimeter as part of their ‘Rise of the Machines’ topic.
Our Community
The sense of community and belonging has long been central to The Marist’s history, and our value of Family Spirit epitomises a Marist education. The Marist is about the whole family.
Parents, grandparents and siblings are encouraged to attend our community events; cheering from the sidelines, supporting at musical performances, manning a stall at the Christmas Fair, to playing weekly parent netball and football matches. Family involvement is integral to our culture and The Marist has been the foundation of lifelong friendships for generations of Marist girls and their families. We were delighted that so many could attend our annual Cheese and Wine event in the autum term and enjoy both the outdoor cinema and our wonderful summer music concert.
Our aim is for parents to also build relationships with staff so that both groups can support the girls’ personal growth and academic development. The Prep school host ‘Share My Learning’ sessions every
term so that parents can enjoy a hands-on experience with their child in the classroom. The partnership between parent, school and your daughter offers 360˚ support, giving every opportunity for your child to flourish academically and socially. As a small school, teachers know each student really well, and therefore know how best to personalise their learning.
The Marist Friends’ are our active parent group who help organise fun social and fundraising events that directly benefit the students. Recent projects have included the Sports Pavilion, Outdoor Learning Classroom and lighting for our Drama department. Class Reps, who have volunteered to help aid communication of key messages and organisation of school events, meet with our Leadership team for termly Coffee Mornings and their feedback is valued and actioned.
Where could The Marist take you?
For over 150 years, The Marist has influenced thousands of successful women’s careers. We are incredibly proud of our Maristines who now work in an inspiring variety of industries and professions:
Suzie Liverseidge
Suzie is now in her final year at Loughborough University, studying BEng Sports Technology. She spent her placement year working in the sports clothing industry. In addition to her undergraduate studies, she now plays for Severn Stars Superleague Netball and was part of the England Netball Future Roses programme. We are very lucky to have Suzie back at The Marist hosting a netball camp at Easter.
Rumneeq Dhaliwal
Rumneeq attended the Marist from Year 7 - 13 and went on to study History at King’s College London. After graduating she started work with the British Army and went on to become a Policy Adviser in the Cabinet Office where her work focused on domestic and criminal matters and crisis management. Rumneeq is now Private Secretary for the UK Ministry of Defence.
Sophia spent Years 10-13 as part of the U17, U19 and U21 England Netball squads. She studied Psychology, PE & Maths at A Level and went on to Loughborough University to study Psychology. Whilst here she captained Loughborough Lightning Superleague Squad and gained her first full England Roses Cap. She went on to teach at Wellington College and become Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Psychology and is now Housemistress of Wellesley House. She currently plays for Surrey Storm in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
Eva Viskovic
Eva studied History of Art at the University of Warwick with a 10 week placement in Venice. She went on to work for Frieze, the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art moving to become Museum Events Officer at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London which is globally considered the leading museum of art, design and performance. Eva has been Museum Events Manager at the V&A for the past four years.
Anna Palmer
Anna went on to study Medicine at Imperial College London, intercalated in Management at Imperial College Business School. Alongside this she also represented Great Britain at Canoeing and competed most recently at the multiple sport European Championships in Munich and at World Cup 1 & 2 events. Anna says that the Marist taught her how to balance her academic studies alongside her sporting commitments and passions, and staff instilled in her that it is possible to balance doing everything you love.
Hannah Goodison
Hannah went on to study a BSc at the University of Exeter gaining First Class Hons, a Master of Science Distinction from UCL, followed by a DClinPsy at the University of Oxford. She also trained as a specialist CBT therapist and has worked in prisons, inpatient wards and community teams to treat patients with mental health difficulties across the lifespan.
Amy Simpson
Amy attended The Marist from Year 7-13 and studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A Level. She then applied via UCAS to study Medicine and is now a Junior Doctor working in Derbyshire. She is completing her Foundation Training before deciding which specialty to focus on; either General Practice or Geriatric Medicine.
Hannah Ducas
Hannah is now a qualified Civil Engineer working at an Engineering Consultancy Company called WSP. After leaving The Marist she went to the University of Portsmouth where she gained a First Class Honours MEng in Civil Engineering with a year in Industry (overall being 5 years). She went travelling for 6 months before joining WSP as a graduate engineer. She is now a Senior Structural Engineer and UK National Lead for STEM at WSP.
Eilidh Quinn
Eilidh took Maths, Chemistry, French and History at A Level and went on to St Andrews to study Chemistry. She completed a 1-year industrial placement with the chemicals solution company, William Blythe, followed by a summer internship as a research analyst at Aurora Energy Research. She is now a PhD student at the University of Oxford researching new materials for sustainable energy harvesting.
Sophia Candappa
Sport, glorious Sport
We fielded 131 teams across 10 different sports.
100% of girls in Y3-6 represent the school in weekly fixtures.
75% of girls in Y7-13 represent the school in weekly fixtures.
County Champions
U14 Handball
Regional Finalists:
U11 Netball, U12 Hockey U16 Netball, U19 Netball
National Finalists:
U15 Athletics, U16 Netball U15, U17 & U19 Cross-Country
Going the extra mile
A Marist education is about so much more than academic success.
The wealth of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities on offer at The Marist enhances children’s learning and self-confidence outside the classroom and we aim to support all students to reach their potential, wherever it may lie. We build a wide base to our participation pyramid, with 90+ weekly clubs, and encourage students to progress further up the pyramid and achieve excellence, to push themselves and unearth new talents.
Our extensive range of worldwide trips provide not only long-lasting, positive memories but also increase independence and confidence, contribute to a wider world perspective, make classroom topics feel new and exciting and help stretch the girls outside their comfort zone. This year, international trips included Years 11 – 13 Biology and Geography trip to Iceland, Netball tour to Barbados, History trips to Berlin and the Battlefields, the Year
6 residential to France, Classics trip to Pompeii and our annual ski trip to Austria.
All year groups have taken day trips to ignite passion and learning around their termly topics (Prep) and subject areas (Senior) and we look forward to celebrating the end of the school year with our annual Activity Week, action packed with opportunities to try new things and celebrate our achievements.
My time at The Marist has helped me grow in to a confident, strong woman by giving me an excellent environment that encouraged me to learn and gave me the support to share my opinions and find new interests. I’ve developed the confidence to approach challenges knowing I have the skills to succeed. I’ve also made friendships for life!
