Following a period of consultation with current and future parents, St Mary’s is pleased to confirm that boys will be welcomed once again into its Pre-Nursery and Nursery from September 2026.
This decision follows an internal consultation process, which received an extremely positive response from current and prospective families. The Trustees have carefully considered this feedback and agreed that reintroducing boys into the Early Years will offer valuable support to families, while remaining fully aligned with the School’s ethos and long-term vision.
St Mary’s will continue to operate as a girls-only school from Reception onwards. This change relates solely to Pre-Nursery and Nursery and does not represent a move towards becoming fully co-educational.
The EYFS department at St Mary’s has a long and successful history of educating boys and girls together, and the team is highly experienced in both single-sex and mixed-sex environments. Welcoming boys into Pre-Nursery and Nursery will enrich children’s early learning experiences by supporting social development, communication skills and empathy through inclusive, play-based learning. Our EYFS provision will remain nurturing, structured and firmly rooted in the School’s Catholic ethos, ensuring that every child feels secure, supported and valued.
St Mary’s remains deeply committed to its identity and mission as an all-girls prep school. From Reception to Year 6, the school will continue to provide an environment designed to meet the specific needs of girls during their formal education, supporting academic achievement, confidence and aspiration.
Families who would like to find out more or enquire about places in Pre-Nursery or Nursery from September 2026 (or beyond) are warmly invited to contact Mr Tom Wood, Head of Marketing & Admissions (admissions@stmh.co.uk or 0207 435 1568).
