Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/st-marys-school.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/st-marys-school.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/st-marys-school-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/st-marys-school-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/st-marys-school-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>St Mary’s is a co-ed independent preparatory school for children from Nursery (2.5 years) to 11 years in central Henley. Founded in 1926, and now part of the global Cognita School Group, the school is set on a relatively small site, in a residential street in an attractive brick and turreted Victorian building with additions. The USPs at St Mary’s are its excellent academic outcomes and the nurturing and inclusive atmosphere (the school values are Honesty, Independence, Collaboration, Respect and Courage), with the 130 kids given plenty of attention in small classes of 16-18.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities"><strong>FACILITIES</strong></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sports"><strong>SPORTS</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-437.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158587" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-437.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-437-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-437-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s not unusual for a town-based school to have an issue with space, and St Mary’s gets around its acreage deficit with a refurbed sheltered courtyard playground. For the older children, offsite PE lessons include&nbsp;clever use of local sports clubs’ and schools’ facilities.&nbsp;Football, Rugby, Hockey and Netball, as well as swimming, cricket and tennis are all played at offsite locations close to the school. The school encourages the children to participate in all sports, so you are as likely to find the girls playing football and cricket as the boys to be playing hockey and netball.</p>



<p>Meanwhile the school offers smart sports onsite that need little space – archery, gymnastics, dancing, fencing, parkour and judo are just some of the&nbsp;extracurricular programme of 30+ activities each term.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Clearly there are advantages and disadvantages to small school numbers – with a small cohort, success depends on the luck of the year. I’d say that while their children really enjoy their weekly competitive fixtures, St Mary’s feels comfortable choosing inclusivity and joining in over raging regional success.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creative-arts"><strong>CREATIVE ARTS</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6365-667x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-173176" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6365-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6365-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6365-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6365.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>Arts are particularly strong here, with a hefty take-up for individual music lessons at around 66%. There’s a dedicated music room, well stocked with a variety of instruments (drums being the most popular with the kids for obvious reasons). There is a school orchestra and several choirs, as well as teachers delivering piano, singing, guitar and flute lesson . Drama has its own specialist teacher, with impressive productions such as Matilda and Peter Pan, performed in the hall that also moonlights as gym, dining hall and assembly space. There’s also a light and airy stand-alone art studio with onsite kiln.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general"><strong>GENERAL</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6156-667x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-173178" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6156-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6156-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6156-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6156.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>The bright science lab is popular with the kids, where dissection in Y6 is the gory highlight and children as young as Y3 learn to use Bunsen Burners. The younger children also take part in weekly outdoor learning sessions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-littlies"><strong>LITTLIES</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158589" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-4-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-4-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The nursery is bright and well-equipped with its own in-out flow, with children free to have creative and messy play outside, as well as phonics, French, Music and PE. The Nursery Manager is a real asset, plus Y6 children visit regularly to support the transition to Reception Class </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics"><strong>ACADEMICS</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A5529-667x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-173180" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A5529-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A5529-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A5529-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A5529.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>Like all independent schools, St Mary’s knows it has to deliver academically, and it does: Y6 students are consistently offered places at the most prestigious senior schools in the area, with a number of academic, sport and art scholarships also awarded. The students are heading on to the likes of Abingdon School, Queen Anne’s, Headington, Shiplake College, Pangbourne and Reading Blue Coat School. Not bad! As well as the specialist teaching in French from Nursery, they also offer music and PE for the littlies, adding specialist drama from Reception onwards, and specialist Maths and Art teaching from Y1.</p>



<p>Cursive writing is learned from Reception onwards (assisted by groovy handwriting app Kaligo) and, as a Microsoft showcase incubator school, iPads are used from Reception and individual laptops are given to all children from Y3 upwards.</p>



<p>The preparation for the grammar school 11+ and independent senior schools&#8217; entry exams is taken seriously, with cognitive ability tests in Years 4/5, interview practice and philosophical questions posed to all pupils from Y2 (for example, is it more important to be rich or happy?) to allow the children to think their way around age-appropriate concepts. However, I would say that St Mary’s, though hot on academics, is even stronger on the pastoral side of things – it’s a very calm and happy atmosphere here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral-care"><strong>PASTORAL CARE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-424.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158592" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-424.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-424-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-424-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Front and centre. St Mary&#8217;s is proud of its reputation as a &#8216;family&#8217;, village-style school, and if you unpack that idea, what it&#8217;s really about it is childhood, fun and nurture. There&#8217;s a Buddy Bench, peer support at breaktimes and lunchtimes in the playground with Y6 children as &#8216;wellbeing ambassadors&#8217; in bright tabards. The vibe of kindness and inclusivity seems genuine here, with the children taking roles as anti-bullying ambassadors, teachers sending out tests to gauge how the children are feeling, and St Mary&#8217;s becoming the first school to win a silver award with Stonewall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head"><strong>THE HEAD</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-172617" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/6M8A5308-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stephen Blundell has taken over the hot seat from previous head Rob Harmer, who was with the school for 20 years, so his initial approach is about building on St Mary&#8217;s many successes and not doing anything too rash! Friendly and clearly energised by his move South with his young family, Blundell has already made moves to strengthen ties further with the parents, with gates opened five minutes early so parents can mingle, concerts every half term and good news notes coming back to parents more regularly. As an independent school with no affliliations, he&#8217;s also looking to strengthen ties with a whole range of Senior schools as well as reach children from further afield with a mini bus route across Twyford, Caversham, Shiplake and Shiplake School, starting from Sept 2025.  His eye is on developing the playground and if dreams come true, you may even see the school on a split site under his tenure. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks"><strong>QUIRKS</strong></h2>



<p>Family Camping, via the PTA, is a fun tradition, reflecting the strong community feel to this school and lack of pretension (note, it ain&#8217;t glamping!). Not exactly a quirk but still relatively unusual, the uniform is now fully gender neutral. It&#8217;s also great to see St Mary’s becoming a single-use plastic-free school and placing the pupils centre stage on that journey. The School Council has children from each year group and meets regularly to discuss charity fundraising and other ways to enhance their time at school.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care"><strong>WRAP AROUND CARE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-129.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-158593" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-129.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-129-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/ST_MARYS_GENESIS_LR-129-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You’re not going to be waving your kids off for 12-hour days here, but&nbsp;there are extra-curricular clubs before and after school&nbsp;and Tea Club after school from 3.30 – 5.30pm, and with the recent addition of school holiday clubs on site in partnership with SuperCamps extending provision by an additional 10 weeks, working parents are well catered for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report"><strong>ISI REPORT</strong></h2>



<p>The latest report is happy reading as the school received a double excellent &#8211; excellent for the quality of pupils&#8217; academic and other achievements and excellent for the quality of pupils&#8217; personal development. Read the full report <a href="https://www.stmarys-henley.co.uk/about-us/inspection-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees"><strong>FEES</strong></h2>



<p>Good value comparatively for the area I&#8217;d say, at £4,879 (inc VAT) per term for Reception, £5,334 for Y1 &amp; Y2, and £5,756 for Y3-6. Nursery places are flexible – from £45 for ad hoc sessions through to £4,160 full time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6437.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-173182" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6437.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6437-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/6M8A6437-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Children wanting a nurturing, pastorally strong school, with an absence of hot-housing. The school has a lot of warmth and a homely, lived-in feel that won&#8217;t please design mavens but I&#8217;m sure makes little&nbsp;people feel very comfortable.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Lack of space and architectural grandeur might not appeal to all. The small cohort might not suit super-boisterous kids, and extra-curricular is more about inclusion than super-success if medal hauls are important to you.</p>



<p><strong>Dare to disagree?</strong> Be my guest! The <a href="https://www.stmarysprep.co.uk/book-an-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Week</a> is 24-28 March 2025, or <a href="https://www.stmarysprep.co.uk/admissions-process/?_ga=2.239394307.1452462882.1741780346-2312666.1741780346" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">register for a personal tour</a> with the Head to find out more.</p>



<p><em>St Mary’s School, </em><em>13 St. Andrews Road</em><em>, Henley,&nbsp;RG9 1HS. Tel:&nbsp;</em><em>01491 573118. <a href="https://stmarys-henley.co.uk?utm_campaign=directories&amp;utm_source=muddystilletos&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_content=websitelink" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stmarys-henley.co.uk</a>.</em></p>


St Mary’s School, Henley, Oxfordshire

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