Student Support

High staff to student ratio

Sixth form class sizes at SMHS are deliberately designed to be small so that teachers have more time for each student and can tailor teaching materials for each individual learner.

Specialist Sixth Form Subject Teachers

All of our sixth form teachers are highly qualified, subject specialists. Many of our sixth form teachers are also specialists in sixth form teaching. This includes for example, Maths, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Geography, History and RE, Business and IT.

High Prior Attaining Students

Whilst we expect all of our students to be challenged by their sixth form studies, high ability students have access to bespoke stretch and challenge programmes including Oxbridge support, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and a Personal Research Project (PRP).

Oxbridge & Russell Group University Applications

St Mary’s students who are applying to top universities have access to specialist support with university visits and expert knowledge to enhance applications. This will include subject/progression route specific advice and guidance. For example:
BMAT and UCAT: Specialist support for students wishing to study medicine after sixth form.
Royal Veterinary College (RVC): SMHS students have access to the RVC Outreach Programme to support prospective veterinary students.
University Application (UCAS) Support: All SMHS students can use our UCAS tutor experts for advice and support with their university applications. Dedicated UCAS workshops, practice interviews and support with Personal Statements, along with university visits and visiting university speakers all provide degree specific information and high quality support with applications for university.

University & Apprenticeship applications

Progression to University: 100% success rate for St Mary’s students making applications for universities for more than five years.
Progression to Apprenticeship: 100% success rate for St Mary’s students making apprenticeship applications (since apprenticeships introduced nationally).