St Mary’s College receives commendation for academic excellence

We are delighted to announce that we have received a formal letter of congratulations from the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.

The letter highlights the "excellent outcomes" achieved by the most disadvantaged pupils at SMC at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. She states that the performance of pupils at SMC places us among the very best nationally, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to provide exceptional, world-class education for every child, regardless of background.

In her message to Mrs Stead, Ms. Phillipson noted that this success is a direct reflection of the "dedication of staff and the hard work of pupils," stating that the results demonstrate exactly what can be achieved when "ambition and commitment come together."

Beyond celebrating our current success, the Department for Education has encouraged SMC to take a leading role in the wider educational system. The Secretary of State invited the academy to:

• Engage with regional networks to partner with nearby schools.
• Contribute to regional roundtables to share the "St Mary’s way" with the broader professional community.
• Continue our unwavering focus on sustaining excellence for disadvantaged pupils.

We would like to extend our own thanks to our dedicated staff, our resilient students, and our supportive community. As the Secretary of State noted, even the strongest schools can go further, and we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence together.