At St Mary’s School, we continually challenge ourselves to provide the best possible all-round educational opportunities for all our pupils.
Our Ethos
We are committed to delivering the most up-to-date and stimulating teaching environments at the school. A key priority has been incorporating the latest technology to bring learning to life and this can be seen in our Global Learning Centre; the space includes a cutting-edge Engineering and Robotics Lab, Virtual Reality Launch Pad, Art and Design Studio as well as a Green Room. This modern, innovative centre has been specially designed to promote STEAM at St Mary’s and provide the girls with advanced skills for the next stage of their education.
We balance this focus on technology with an emphasis on creative and physical development. Music, drama, art and sports are an essential part of school life and involve everyone. Pupils also benefit from our extensive and leafy outdoor space.
Perhaps what makes our school so unique are the spiritual and moral principles that are actively nurtured daily and that pupils will carry with them throughout their lives. At St Mary’s School, everything we do is for the benefit of the children. But, as a forward-thinking, modern school, we also have a responsibility to educate pupils about their obligations to care about wider society and the environment.
Our St Mary’s ethos endeavours to ensure that every opportunity is taken to emphasise that tolerance, understanding and compassion are essential to living in a vibrant and caring multi-cultural society. We advocate that our pupils try to put the needs of others ahead of their own without expectation of reward.
This principle of promoting the common good is wide-ranging. The School fundraises for two charities each year chosen by the parents, staff and pupils. This is supplemented by non-monetary fundraising, such as the January Unwanted Gift Drive, the Spring Fundraising Fair, as well as collecting men’s clothing and provisions for local organisations. Children are also empowered to fundraise independently and take part in charity events outside of school which builds essential skills beyond the curriculum.
Our central location has allowed us to invite more guest speakers to talk about their charity work. The visits allow the children to extend their knowledge, but also to understand what inspires these people to care for the common good. This is coupled with an opportunity to articulate the positive outcomes and tangible benefits that our community can achieve when we work together.
In addition to our visible fundraising efforts, our whole school community is encouraged to be reflective and generous to those around us. Parents and staff perform a vital role in leading by example in terms of values, attitudes, and actions, as well as providing many opportunities for pupils to practise these behaviours.
We have established a formal programme of opportunities for pupils and staff to become more active beyond the School gates and within the local community. Furthermore, we support local organisations, such as hospitals and local care homes at events throughout the year. St Mary’s also assists other schools by inviting them to use our facilities and by making significant donations to specific development projects.
We have extended a shared goal to reduce our environmental impact and protect what we value today for future generations. This has been demonstrated by a conscious move to purchasing more sustainable and traceable materials. We continue to transform our approach to reduce, reuse and recycle school waste and procuring eco-friendly products wherever possible. Other student-led initiatives include expanding our Walk To School Week to help reduce air pollution and growing more fruit, vegetables and herbs in our grounds.
Finally, inclusivity is a critical tenet of our approach to social responsibility. As a charity ourselves, the School endeavours to extend access to our high quality Catholic education by offering full bursaries.
We believe that instilling these long-term values of social responsibility and awareness is crucial. In turn, what a delight it is to witness our pupils begin to discover the inestimable rewards of being kind, considerate and compassionate to others.
