Student Support

High Staff to Student Ratio

Sixth Form class sizes at St Mary’s are intentionally kept small, to enable a more personalised educational experience, giving teachers the opportunity to offer individualised support and tailor learning materials to maximise each student’s potential.

Specialist Sixth Form Subject Teachers

Our Sixth Form is taught by highly qualified subject specialists, many of whom are experienced experts in A Level and Post-16 education. Specialist teaching is available across a broad curriculum, including Mathematics, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Geography, History, Religious Education, Business, and Information Technology, ensuring students receive expert guidance in their chosen subjects.

High Prior Attaining Students

Whilst all students are encouraged to engage with a challenging and intellectually stimulating Sixth Form curriculum, high-achieving students have access to tailored stretch and challenge programmes. These include specialist Oxbridge support, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and the Personal Research Project (PRP), providing opportunities for advanced study, independent research, and academic enrichment.

Oxbridge & Russell Group University Applications

Students at St Mary’s applying to highly competitive universities benefit from specialist guidance and support throughout the university application process. This includes tailored advice on subject choices, career pathways, and progression routes, helping students make informed decisions and submit the strongest possible applications.

Our specialist support includes:

• Medicine Applications (UCAT and BMAT): Dedicated guidance for students aspiring to study Medicine, including support with admissions tests, application preparation, and interview techniques.
• Veterinary Science: Through our partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) Outreach Programme, prospective veterinary students have access to expert advice, enrichment opportunities, and support throughout the application process.
• University Applications (UCAS): All St Mary’s students benefit from the expertise of our experienced UCAS tutors, who provide personalised support with every stage of the application process. This includes dedicated UCAS workshops, personal statement guidance, mock interviews, university visits, and talks from visiting university representatives. Together, these opportunities provide valuable subject-specific insight and help students prepare competitive applications for a wide range of degree courses and institutions.

Through this comprehensive programme of support, students are exceptionally well prepared to secure places at leading universities and pursue ambitious academic and career goals.

University & Apprenticeship Applications

University Progression: St Mary’s has maintained a 100% success rate in securing university places for students who submit university applications, a record that has been sustained for more than five consecutive years.

Apprenticeship Progression: Since the introduction of apprenticeships as a national pathway, St Mary’s has achieved a 100% success rate for students applying for apprenticeships, demonstrating the strength of our guidance and support for a wide range of Post-18 destinations.

Outstanding Progression Outcomes: Whether pursuing higher education or an apprenticeship, St Mary’s students benefit from expert advice and personalised support, resulting in an exceptional track record of successful progression to their chosen next steps.