Admissions Process

St. Mary’s offers an outstanding and inspirational Catholic education for girls aged 2 ½ to 11 years.

Our Head of Marketing & Admissions is very experienced in advising local families throughout the admissions process, as well as those who are relocating to London.

The Process

1 - Visit Us

Nothing can replace stepping through our doors, saying hello, and seeing St. Mary’s in action. Prospective families are always welcome.

Please join our upcoming Open Mornings or book a private tour for another time. If you are currently abroad, we will be pleased to introduce you to St. Mary’s and answer any questions via an online meeting.

Why not browse our Prospectus prior to visiting?

2 - Registration

Parents are warmly encouraged to register as early as possible. Registration requires submission of the registration form and payment of our £180 registration fee.

The main points of entry are in Nursery (from age 2 years 6 months), Reception (4+) and Year 3 (7+). Occasional places in other year groups may be available on an ad-hoc basis; please enquire with our Head of Marketing & Admissions.

Once submitted, you will receive confirmation of receipt of your application from the Head of Marketing & Admissions. Please note, registration does not guarantee a place.

3 - Taster Visits & Assessments

Your daughter will be invited to join us for an informal taster visit (Nursery and 4+) or day (for 7+ and occasional places) in the year prior to entry, to ensure that the school is able to meet her needs. Our 4+ and 7+ taster visits take place in the January prior to September entry and include a mini assessment.

All visits are designed to be informal at St. Mary’s, to allow the girls to say hello to the school in a relaxed and welcoming environment, experience interaction with her year group peers, and for us to be able to ensure we can tailor our teaching to meet her needs. No prior preparation is required for these taster visits.

For families abroad at the time of the taster visits, we can accept a copy of a recent school report in lieu of an in-person visit.

4 - Offers

Offers of places are made in the year prior to entry following these visits, in line with our admissions policy.

We give priority to Catholic families or those with siblings in the School before others on the registration list. If there are places available beyond these criteria, the list operates according to the time of registration.

If a year group is full, you may be allocated a place on a Waiting List. The Head of Marketing & Admissions actively manages this list and you will be informed as soon as possible should a place become available.

Acceptance and confirmation of a place is subject to the receipt of a signed acceptance form and deposit within 10 days of the offer being made.

We are also proud to support pupils whom would not otherwise benefit from a St. Mary’s education via our Bursary fund.

5 - Joining the School

In the term before your daughter is due to start at St. Mary’s, a Welcome Pack will be sent to you alongside an invitation to join us for a Welcome Visit.

The Welcome Pack contains essential information you will need about joining our happy community. At your Welcome Visit, you and your daughter will have the opportunity to visit their new classroom and meet with her teachers.

Welcome to St Mary’s School, Hampstead

Our school strives to nurture an active partnership between home, school, parish, and the wider North London community. Situated in one of London’s most affluent and scenic areas, our school is an excellent choice for families in North London who want their daughters to receive a premier education in a safe, nurturing, and inspiring locale.

“Our St Mary’s Way is the spirit by which we live: to treat other people as you would like to be treated, to do your best to be your best, to be honest and truthful, to listen to each other, to be kind and helpful, to forgive, and to share.”

Charlotte Owen, Headmistress