GirlsIndependent

St Mary's School for Girls

Colchester, Essex, East of England · CO3 3RB

St Mary's School for Girls is a small independent day school in Colchester educating around 419 pupils from age 3 through to 16. With no religious character and a focus that ends at GCSE, it offers a contained, girls-only environment led by Mrs Nicola Griffiths. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school 'excellent' both for the quality of education and for pupils' personal development, and found all compliance requirements met. The intimate size suits families seeking close attention rather than the scale of a larger institution.

419

Pupils

excellent

ISI

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 3-16
Pupils: 419
Location: Colchester, Essex, East of England
Website: www.stmaryscolchester.org.uk
Telephone: 01206 572544

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Mrs Nicola Griffiths

Latest results

Attainment 8

66.5

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

82%

National average 47%

Teaching & academics

Results sit well above national benchmarks: an Attainment 8 score of 66.5 compares with a national average of 46.9, and 82% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national figure of 47%. With teaching geared towards GCSE rather than the sixth form, the school concentrates its energy on these years, and the ISI's 'excellent' judgement reflects that strength. The 11+ entry point gives families a natural moment to join.

Sixth form

Qualifications offered

GCSE

Ethos & heritage

Religious character: None
Boarding: No

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 10 February 2026

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, all-through girls' school whose GCSE results comfortably outpace the national picture. A strong fit for families wanting an academically focused, closely supported education up to 16.

The Passmate verdict