Upper Prep School for Girls Aged 9-11 Years
In the Upper School at St Mary’s, we follow the National Curriculum and supplement this with the Independent Schools Examination Board curriculum.
Our Upper School is a highly regarded all-girls school that has been providing quality education to its students for decades. Located in the affluent neighbourhood of Hampstead, our school boasts impressive academic results and a diverse range of extracurricular activities. St Mary’s school places great emphasis on empowering young girls to excel both academically and personally. In the Upper School at St Mary’s, we follow the National Curriculum and supplement this with the Independent Schools Examination Board curriculum – meaning we are able to offer an extremely broad and balanced curriculum focusing on individual strengths and talents. We believe that this broad curriculum allows for great enrichment across the whole school.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for all children to learn and achieve, promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepares them for the many opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
The Upper School includes children aged 9 – 11 years and covers Years 4, 5 & 6.
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science *
- Art and Design *
- Design Technology
- Information and Communication Technology
- History
- Geography
- Music *
- Physical Education *
- Personal Health & Social Education
- French *
- Non-Verbal and Verbal Reasoning
* denotes subject taught by a specialist teacher.
With a strong focus on developing leadership skills and promoting self-confidence, St Mary’s aims to prepare its students for success in all aspects of their lives.
Aside from the outstanding academic program, St Mary’s also offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities to enrich the students’ learning experience. These activities include sports teams & music. For further information please see Extra-Curricular > Clubs.
The curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire, with a focus on deepening knowledge across core academic subjects such as English, Maths and Science, while also encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Teachers at this stage emphasise independent learning and responsibility, helping girls develop the study habits and organisational skills necessary for future academic success. The broad and balanced curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities, including music, drama, sports, and modern languages, ensuring that each girl has the opportunity to explore her interests and talents.
In addition to academic rigour, St Mary’s places great importance on personal growth and leadership development. The independent upper school fosters a supportive environment where girls are encouraged to take on new challenges, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self. Opportunities for leadership are abundant, with roles such as school council representatives, house captains, and peer mentors allowing students to contribute to the school community and develop their leadership skills. The focus on character education, empathy, and resilience helps to prepare the girls not only for the academic demands of senior school but also for the broader challenges of life. By the time girls leave us, girls are well-equipped, both academically and personally, to step confidently into the next phase of their educational journey.