St Mary's School Ascot (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​St Mary's School Ascot is a leading selective independent school for girls in Ascot, Berkshire. Established in 1885, it serves 390+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, St Mary's School Ascot consistently delivers stellar academic results. It has been awarded the highest possible rating of 'Excellent' in its Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) evaluations, reflecting its outstanding educational quality and pastoral care.

Embracing the Mary Ward values of freedom and sincerity, St Mary Ascot cultivates confidence through professional-standard productions in The Rose Theatre. Students benefit from unique co-curricular ties with Eton College and Harrow, balancing academic rigour with exceptional character development.

In this guide, I leverage my 18-year education consultancy background to simplify St Mary's School Ascot 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
  
• Boarding Type: Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Girls
  
• Religion: Roman Catholic
  
• Age Range: 11-18
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 390+
  
• St Mary's School Ascot GCSE Results (2025): 94% achieved Grade 9-7
  
• St Mary's School Ascot A-Level Results (2025): 63% achieved A*- B
  

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 40
  
• Exam Board: Bespoke Assessment
  
• Number of Stages: 2 (Bespoke + Interview)
  
• School Catchment Area: No
  
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
  
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

I have compiled the definitive schedule for St Mary's School Ascot, ensuring you are fully prepared for the upcoming St Mary's School Ascot open day. This overview details the crucial St Mary's School Ascot 11 plus exam dates and the specific 11+ Exam date to guide your planning.

These 11 plus exam dates are arranged chronologically to assist your academic year planning.

St Mary's School Ascot is a top choice among Independent schools in Windsor and Maidenhead. As stated in the St Mary's School Ascot Admissions Policy, the process involves a rigorous assessment for the 11+ Exam.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Submit the online 11 plus exam registration form and pay the fee. The school strongly advises doing this at least two years prior to the year of entry (Year 5).
  
• Request a confidential reference from your daughter's current Headteacher to support the St Mary Ascot application.
  
• All registered candidates are invited to sit the school's own entrance examinations (English, Mathematics, and the General Paper) on a single assessment day at the school.
  

What exam board does St Mary Ascot follow?

The papers are set internally by the school.

How long is the 11+ Exam for St Mary Ascot?

The assessment comprises a 1-hour English paper, a 45-minute Mathematics paper, and a 1-hour General Paper.

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at St Mary's School Ascot.

The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is designed to identify candidates with academic potential and a curious mind. Students entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examinations in November 2025.

As stated in the St Mary's School Ascot Admissions Policy, the school conducts its own entrance assessment. All registered applicants are invited to the school to sit these formal papers and attend an interview on the same day.

11+ English

The 11+ English assessment is a 60-minute paper designed to test literacy skills and imagination. It assesses how well a student can interpret texts and construct their own written responses.

• The paper typically begins with a reading comprehension task based on a fiction or non-fiction passage.
  
• Candidates must answer 11+ exam questions that require them to analyse character, setting, and themes.
  
• The second section involves a creative writing task where students must write a story or description.
  
• Markers look for accurate spelling, varied vocabulary, and clear paragraphing.
  

11+ Mathematics

The 11+ Mathematics paper lasts 45 minutes and is based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. It aims to evaluate numerical fluency and the ability to apply concepts to solve problems.

• The questions cover standard topics such as number operations, fractions, decimals, and basic geometry.
  
• It includes multi-step word problems that test logical thinking rather than just calculation speed.
  
• Students are encouraged to show their full working out to gain method marks.
  
• The difficulty increases progressively to identify the most able mathematicians.
  

General Paper

St Mary's School Ascot includes a unique 60-minute General Paper to assess logic, critical thinking, and general intelligence. This assessment falls outside the standard English and Maths curriculum.

• This paper often includes elements of Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Students may face puzzles, ciphers, or logic problems that require abstract thinking.
  
• It tests a child's ability to process new information and spot patterns quickly.
  
• The St Mary's School Ascot 11 Plus Test uses this paper to find potential beyond learned knowledge.
  

The 11+ Interview

All candidates attending the assessment day will also have an interview with a member of staff. This session helps the school understand the child's personality and interests.

• The interview is a friendly, conversational exchange lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
  
• Topics may include hobbies, favourite books, and current school life.
  
• Parents should review 11+ interview questions to help their child feel confident and relaxed.
  

St Mary's School Ascot does not publish a specific cut-off score for the St Mary Ascot assessments. Offers are made based on the overall strength of the 11 plus exam results compared to other candidates.

While the school does not have an official pass mark, if the child is able to achieve 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers, they will be able to ace the St Mary's School Ascot 11 plus exam.

St Mary's School Ascot is the premier choice for Catholic girls' boarding education in the UK. However, with roughly ten applicants competing for every Year 7 place, the odds are steep.

Most high-achieving students will need a brilliant backup. I have coached students for over 18 years and seen families caught off guard.

Many focus solely on St Mary Ascot, only to face disappointment on offer day. I always advise parents to keep a portfolio of 2 Grammar options and 3 Private options.

This strategy ensures your daughter lands in an elite environment, even if St Mary's isn't the final result.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting St Mary's typically look at the Slough Consortium for state options and other Berkshire boarding schools. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

*Results estimated based on recent 2024/2025 academic trends.

Why these schools are the top alternatives to St Mary Ascot

• Wycombe Abbey: This is the closest academic rival in the private sector. It offers a similar high-pressure, high-reward boarding environment but without the specific Catholic admissions criteria.
  
• St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School: For parents prioritizing the Catholic ethos, St Bernard’s is the premier state alternative. It is part of the Slough Consortium and requires a priest’s reference for priority.
  
• Kendrick School: Located in Reading, Kendrick is a "super-grammar" producing GCSE results that rival top private schools. It is ideal for families wanting academic rigour without school fees.
  
• Downe House: This school offers a traditional full-boarding experience similar to St Mary's School Ascot. It focuses heavily on holistic development and is located nearby in Berkshire.
  
• St George’s School Ascot: Situated practically next door, St George's is a nurturing alternative. It is less academically ferocious but offers excellent pastoral care and small class sizes.
  

Professional Summary: While St Mary's is the "Gold Standard" for Catholic boarding, the competition is extreme. A robust strategy must include the Slough Consortium (St Bernard's) or Kendrick to ensure your daughter secures a place in an academically selective school.

St Mary's School Ascot sets its own bespoke entrance examinations for the 11 plus exam. Candidates sit traditional written papers testing skills in Mathematics, English, and a unique General Paper. 

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the 11+ maths papers reveals a distinct weighting towards specific topics. Numbers and Geometry account for a significant portion of the questions.

Try our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. It includes a complete 11+ Maths planner, worksheets, and formula sheets.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our analysis, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are critical areas. The 11+ English past papers indicate a strong focus on SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar) as well.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning past papers shows that Word Meaning and Making Words are primary focus areas. These sections account for the majority of marks in the reasoning paper.

Elevate your score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers resources, featuring topic-wise questions. This pack includes detailed answer hints and worksheets.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non - Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning papers shows that Odd One Out and Analogies are critical focus areas. Spatial reasoning also carries significant weight in the online test.

Prepare for success with our 11+ NVR Practice Papers. This pack provides structured exam practice to master logical patterns.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for St Mary's School Ascot?

Our targeted 11+ practice papers help students familiarize themselves with the School own exam pattern. We recommend specific resources to ensure comprehensive preparation.

St Mary's School Ascot is highly competitive, making targeted practice essential for success. Sitting a St Mary's School Ascot 11 plus mock exam helps students acclimatise to the rigorous testing environment. Regular 11 plus mock tests are crucial to identify weak areas and improve speed under time constraints.

As the school uses its schools own exam pattern, we recommend the following resources:

Parents can access our free 11 plus mock test to evaluate their daughter’s current level. Booking an 11 plus mock test Windsor and Maidenhead ensures your child is prepared for the St Mary Ascot admissions process.

For the 2025/26 academic year, the boarding fee is £21,912 per term, and the day boarding fee is £15,600 per term. This inclusive fee typically covers tuition, accommodation (for full boarders), laundry, and meals for pupils.

St Mary's School Ascot Scholarships and St Mary's School Ascot bursaries are available for eligible applicants. A successful St Mary's School Ascot bursary application depends on financial need and academic merit. You can view our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to see similar schools.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Tuesday 2^nd September 2025 to Friday 17^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Sunday 2^nd November 2025 to Friday 12^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Sunday 11^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Sunday 22^nd February 2026 to Friday 20^th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Sunday 12^th April 2026 to Friday 22^th May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Sunday 31^st May 2026 to Friday 3^rd July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and St Mary's School Ascot Official Website.

Independent school admissions involve direct applications, distinct registration deadlines, and bespoke pre-testing. Review these official inspection reports and testing guidelines to prepare your child for St Mary's School Ascot.

• UK Govt. - Get Information on St Mary's School Ascot Page

• St Mary's School Ascot ISI Report

• St Mary's School Ascot Admissions Policy

• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data

• ​St Mary's School Ascot - Charity Commission​