In our dynamic, supportive school community, every girl is known, valued and inspired. Founded in 1898, we offer an education built for girls, that allows their intellectual and social confidence to flourish.
A St Mary’s girl is known for her confidence and curiosity, her community spirit, her agile mind, her resilience and drive. Our approach to learning empowers girls to aim high in life, to follow their dreams and to make a positive contribution to society

Our school has a history that goes back more than 400 years, to our foundress, Mary Ward (1585-1645), who dedicated her life to providing educational opportunities for girls.

Mary Ward is a personal heroine of mine: radical and strong, she was the prototype early feminist believing that by God's grace, women in time to come will do much: this is the mantra by which we live at St Mary's and by which I seek to encourage our girls to do and be all that they can both at school and beyond.

As many schools in Cambridge have turned away from their founding roots as boys or girls' schools, I feel strongly that there is a place for single-sex education alongside co-educational schools, since it offers the student and parent a choice.

Educated myself at St Paul's Girls' School, and thereafter at St Anne's College, Oxford, I joined St Mary's School, Cambridge as Headmistress in 2007, having spent two decades of my career focusing on how best to serve the educational needs of young women. I am consequently delighted to have been peer elected as the President and Vice-President of the GSA Schools’ Association.

In Senior School, we offer a dynamic, nurturing environment, in which every girl is valued, supported and inspired. Our approach to learning allows intellectual and social confidence to flourish, empowering girls to aim high, to follow their dreams and to make a positive contribution to society.

As a Mary Ward School, we balance tradition with innovation. Traditional Christian values such as integrity, justice, hard work and freedom sit at the heart of our forward-looking approach to education.

Life at St Mary's is full of joy and opportunity; whether through drama, rowing, music, debate, archery, Japanese or the Duke of Edinburgh Award horizons are definitely expanded and life-long friendships are forged.

A St Mary’s education

Empowers girls to dream big. As a World Class High Performance Learning (HPL) School, we place no limit on what your daughter can achieve.

Is built for girls. As an all-girls’ school our education is free of gender stereotyping. Whatever your daughter’s future path, we believe YES SHE CAN. Everything at St Mary’s is built for girls and we excel at engaging and supporting girls through every stage of their development.

Offers specialist teaching from day one. All our girls benefit from specialist teaching in STEM, music, art, drama, sport and more, with a focus on supporting and extending achievement.

Is grounded in a nurturing community. Caring is part of our school DNA. Our ethos places courage, respect, compassion and integrity at the heart of school life. Our supportive community goes a long way to ensuring our girls are happy. Our caring teachers know girls only achieve their best, if school is a happy place to be.

Inspires curiosity, creativity and confidence. Our specialist teachers bring energy, passion and dedication to learning. We explore subjects creatively, connecting ideas across our curriculum.

Offers every opportunity to shine. Whatever your child’s interests, from sport, drama and LAMDA, to coding, music, learning Mandarin or STEM, our co- and extra-curricular choices inspire every girl.

11+ Assesses
* online adaptive assessment covering: Vocabulary - word fluency and understanding, Mathematics concepts, Non-verba, Skills - including proofreading, perceptual speed and accuracy
* Creative Writing 
* interview with a member of our Senior Leadership Team

12+ Assesses
* English paper (comprehension and creative writing)
* Mathematics paper
* interview with a member of our Senior Leadership Team

13+ Assesses
* Take an online adaptive assessment covering: Vocabulary - word fluency and understanding, Mathematics concepts, Non-verba, Skills - including proofreading, perceptual speed and accuracy
* Creative Writing 
* interview with a member of our Senior Leadership Team

Year 7-9 Also Assesses:
Exact screening test which evaluates literacy levels. This digital test takes approx. 30-40 minutes and identifies students who may be eligible for exam access arrangements for GCSE examinations.