St Mary’s Commended in Prestigious Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026

St Mary’s School is delighted to announce that it has been recognised in the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, receiving Commended status in not one, but two national award categories: Sporting Achievement and Careers Provision.

The awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the independent education sector, recognising schools that provide exceptional opportunities and outcomes for their pupils. This year attracted a record number of entries from hundreds of schools across 25 categories, making the recognition even more significant.

The commendation reflects St Mary’s commitment to delivering an outstanding all-round education. From elite sporting pathways and leadership opportunities to an ambitious careers programme that prepares students for an ever-changing world of work, the school continues to ensure every girl is equipped to thrive both inside and beyond the classroom.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Lars Fox, Head, said:

We are incredibly proud to have been recognised nationally for both our sporting achievement and careers provision. These commendations are a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students and our commitment to providing an education that develops confident, capable and future-ready young women. It is wonderful to see the breadth of opportunities we offer being recognised on a national stage.

Dr Helen Wright, Chair of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, praised this year’s entries, describing the innovative and life-affirming experiences offered by independent schools as “awe-inspiring”, with the standard of submissions “never higher.”

St Mary’s now looks ahead to the next stage of the awards, with finalists due to be announced in September ahead of the national awards ceremony in October.

This latest recognition follows another exceptional year for the school, reinforcing St Mary’s reputation for excellence in both academic and co-curricular education, where every girl is encouraged to discover her passions, develop her talents and realise her full potential.