Working at St Mary's School Ascot

Why work at St Mary's?

At St Mary’s School Ascot, we take pride in our vibrant community and stunning surroundings. On its secluded rural campus, St Mary’s enjoys the serenity of the countryside together with the convenience of being close to London. Direct train routes run from Ascot to London Waterloo, as well as Reading and Aldershot.

Our 55 acres of grounds include beautiful woodlands and a dedicated wellbeing garden, so it’s a peaceful as well as a purposeful place to work. The architecture dates from the late Victorian to the modern, so just like the school, it’s a satisfying expression of progress building on tradition.

Looking after our staff

Our staff love working at St Mary’s, and being a small school truly makes a difference. From the Headmistress to the porters, everyone knows and supports each other, which makes for a warm, inclusive community. We are especially proud of our many ‘boomerangs’, those who return to us having worked in other schools. They are a testament to the positive and very special environment we have at St Mary’s. We truly care about our staff, which is why we take the time to seek out and listen to their feedback. Regular opportunities for discussion ensure staff can share their thoughts openly and honestly. Timetable allocations for teaching staff are generous, and class sizes are small, which allows teachers to focus on the work that matters.

Professional development

We encourage and support all staff to take part in professional development. Whatever your role, and however long you have been in the job, there are always new things to learn, and we are committed to supporting our staff in their career aspirations. We are especially proud that when staff leave us, it is often to take on more senior roles, and we have an impressive record of staff advancing to senior management positions in other schools, including four Headships in the last eight years. There are plenty of opportunities within the school as well, and many of our senior staff have built very happy and successful careers here at St Mary’s.

The St Mary's community

We believe that taking care of our staff extends beyond professional development – it is about creating an enriching and enjoyable environment, whether that’s using our fantastic onsite sports facilities, enjoying our amazing food, or taking part in the events organised by our enthusiastic staff social committee.

Staff enjoy participating in our larger community events, such as the fireworks display, the Charity FunFair, the Pet Parade and the Christmas Market. There is much fun to be had in the popular staff-pupil competitions in tennis, hockey, netball and football, amongst others. 

What is it like working in a boarding school?

Working in a boarding school offers a unique and rewarding experience. For the pupils, it is not just a school, it is their home. And for staff, it is not just a workplace, it’s a community, and that deepens our relationships, with each other and with the pupils. Residential and senior staff live on site, providing a supportive and exciting environment for the girls in the evenings and on weekends.

Unlike traditional boarding schools, we do not have Saturday lessons, but it’s important for teaching staff to understand the boarding lives of the girls they teach, so they do take part in some boarding activities, staying in school on two evenings a term, and coming in on six weekend days a year to support the girls or join in activities. During the week, lessons finishes at 4.30pm, although staff stay on once a week to run extra sessions such as Oxbridge, or host co-curricular events. Staff enjoy staying in to take part in other activities, or to watch some of the fabulous plays, music and dance performances which the girls put on throughout the year.

What is it like working in a Catholic school?

About half of our staff are Roman Catholic, but this is not a requirement for employment. Working in a Catholic school means being part of a tradition of kindness and joyful learning. We welcome staff from all backgrounds who are open to respecting and upholding the school’s Catholic ethos and values, which are inspired by our foundress Mary Ward. Her guiding principles – freedom of spirit, sincerity and a cheerful disposition – form the foundation of the supportive and kind environment that both staff and pupils cherish. All teaching staff are tutors, which includes joining their tutees in chapel on three mornings a week and on occasional saints’ days. Staff are welcome to attend Mass on Sundays if they wish.

Benefits

At St Mary’s, we are committed to providing a workplace that values every staff member’s contribution and fosters wellbeing and growth. The benefits of working at St Mary’s include:

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