Admissions

At St Mary’s CE High School you will always find a welcome that is built on a strong Christian ethos and excellent relationships between adults and students.

We are a happy and inclusive school – in January 2020 the SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection said St Mary’s is ‘An exceptionally inclusive and caring community’. Central to our success is an ethos where we all work together and where individual skills, talents and cultural heritage are respected and valued; where students say they feel very safe and well cared for and where they enjoy their learning.

At St Mary’s we pride ourselves on the very highest standards for everyone in the community. Our work, and the achievements of our students, are regularly recognised as being outstanding and reflecting excellent practice.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the school and sharing an exciting future together.

The Governors welcome applications from students of any faith/non-faith, and families are not required to attend church to qualify for a place at the school.

Secondary Transfer Year 6 into Year 7

Transfer into Year 7 from primary school takes place at 11 years of age. The standard admission number for the School is 240. All admissions to the School are made in accordance with the Governors policy for admissions agreed with the Diocese of St Albans and the Local Authority.

Parents/carers wishing to apply for a place at St Mary’s CE High School should be supportive of the Christian ethos of the school and will need to complete a Hertfordshire County Council form (please click here) together with a school Supplementary Information Form (referred to as a SIF).

The completed SIF must be used for Secondary Transfer applications only and should be sent directly to the school, marked for the attention of the Admissions Office.

Our students recommend St Mary’s because…

“I’m so proud of being a St Mary’s students because of the strong sense of community and the support I received to do well in my GCSEs, achieving Grades 8 in Geography and RS and 7s in Maths, English and Science.”
Peter, Year 13

“Teaching sparks your interest in learning, as a result I was able to get great grades in my GCSEs, including Grade 9s in History and RS.”
Lola, Year 12

“Community is key, everyone feels like a family, including the teachers. The sports facilities, like the field and basketball courts, are great. Students care and support is fantastic.”
Micah, Year 11

“St Mary’s is a place you can feel safe and learn. Everyone is respectful to each other and the teachers help you learn.”
Juste, Year 10

“Great support, great care, great teaching.”
Sam, Year 9

“St Mary’s allows all students to experience new opportunities and helps them achieve their full potential and flourish as fantastic individuals.”
Megan, Year 8

“St Marys has given me the best opportunity that I could possibly have to show my skills, talents and who I really am. Students and teachers are so friendly, they will never hesitate to help you. Our school is so accepting! No matter who you are, we are all equal in everyone’s eyes.”
Poppy, Year 7

2027/2028 SMHS Determined Admissions Policy

2027/2028 SMHS Determined Admissions Supplementary Info Form

2026-2027 SMHS Determined Admissions Policy

2026-2027 SMHS Determined Transition Supplementary Info Form

2025/2026 SMHS Determined Admissions Policy

In-Year Admission

An in-year application is a school admissions request made outside of the standard entry period (such as starting Reception and Year 7). You should submit this type of application if you need to more your child to a new school during the active school year. In-Year applications should be made via the Hertfordshire County Council Admissions Team, who will advise the school of the application and by completing the St Mary’s in-year application form below. If an application is unsuccessful this will be notified to the applicant and the Local Authority, along with information on how to appeal online at http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/schoolappeals.

SMHS In Year Application Form

Admissions Appeals Timetable

To view the Admissions Appeals Timetable please click below.

2026 School Admissions Appeals Timetable

A new timetable for appeals is published after each 1st March allocation day.

Consultation for Admission in September 2027

St Mary’s CE High School consulted on their admissions arrangements for the academic year 2027/2028.

The consultation ran from 27 October 2025 to 7 December 2025 and is now closed.

Responses to these arrangements are invited and should be submitted to admin@st-maryshigh.herts.sch.uk or by post to the school address by 7 December 2025.