ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT ANNUAL REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Company No." 01844327 Charity No: 290286 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTENTS Pago Review of thg Year by the Headmistress Coundl Memb8rs. Govemors, DlrectOTS. Officers and Advisers 2-3 Report ol Ihe Governor8 {Incorpor8llng the Slralèglc Report) 4-21 Indewnd•nt Auditor'8 Report 22-24 Consolidated Statement of Fingncial Advllles 25 Consolidated and CharSty Balanca Sheet 26 Consolidated Slalement of Cash Flows 27 Notes lo the Financial Statements 2843 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REVIEW OF THE YEAR BY THE HEADMISTRESS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 REVIEW OF THE YEAR BY THE HEADMISTRESS Wailing to hear a verdict on one's endeavours is n9ver easy whelhei you're a Year 7 pupil anticipating your maths leacher's fèèdback, or an Upper Sixth sludènl awaiting A Level results. I was reminded of that familiar sense ol anlicipallon earfier this year as we awailed the oulcorne of the Independent Schools Inspectorate IISII visit in February. Despite my deep confidence in our community and ils readlneys lo meet the challeng8 of such a rigorous, independent review, that small voice of uncertainly lingered as il does for every diligent pupil. I needn't have worKied, When the repori arrived. we warè absolutely d&lighled. The Inspectors offered glowing praise across every dimension of School life.. academic. co-curricular and pastoral. These passages from the report parbcul8rfy stood out to me.. 'T&ach6rs engage pupils in Ihought-provoking and inl&lleclually rlch leaching which furthers th8ir prog￿￿5 and develops Iheir skills and knowledge well . Leaders provide pupils with an environment whera kindness pr8vails, pupils enjoy léarning, and Ih8y achieve well. The School s aims and C8lholic élhos guid8 leaders in Eheir decision-making, which promotes pupils, w&llbeing. "Lessons ènd co-curricular aclivilies engag8 pupils deeply In me8ningful discussions aboul issues curr8ntly affe¢ling soGi8ly. Pupils use Ih&ir knowledgè 8rtd skills to cheGk Ibe validily of facts ané consideraltern8live vi6ws lo help them form Ehgir own opinions, Pupils lind meaningful ways to respond to issues ol in8qu8lily in Iheir local community and beyond. Thg d8V8lopmenl of pupils. sociel undersl8nding is a sigrtilic8nl slr&nglh of the SGlJool. Th81 lin31 remark, highlighting the dèv8lopm•nt ol puplls, soclal understandlng as a signific8nl slrenglh, was esp&cially rneaningful. 11 affirms so much ol what we stnve lor al St Mary's. My heartfelt Ih8nks go lo every member ol our School community - pupllg, parents. staff and Governors - whose shared dedlcalion made Ihls outcome possible. Sl Mary's continues lo delivgr a broad. balanced, ambluous and knowledge-rlch eurriculum. At IIGCSE. 690 of grades were aw8rded al Grade 9. 86°/D al Grades and 94(*A al Grades 9-7. Within these exceptlonal outcomes. 23°k ol pupils a¢hleved slraighi Grade 9s, 31 % s8curÈd len Grade 9s, nearly 40'h achieved nine Grade 9s, and over half allained a full sel of Grades M. Al A L&v&l. 30Qh ol gr8des werè al A, with 63°A al A'_A. lrnpresslvgly, 42Qh of the cohort achieved a complete set of A. or A gr8des, wlth 500/0 also Colobrallng an A. or A in the EPQ. Thè School is extr&m8ly proud of tha pupSls who worked so hard and so cheerfully. Out of an UVI year group of flfty two, fifty one pupllg received offers of placos to continue lo unlvergily wllh 88Vo achieving either their firm or insurance places with one girl opting lor a gap year. Offèrs were SecU￿d for a wide range ol subjecls from many of the world's leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Of the pupils golng to UK univgrsilies, 80°/0 are taking up places al Russell Group Universities rislng to 89°k when Inclu(Jing Sl Andrews and Balh. All four medical applicants achieved plac8s lo study rnedi¢ine. From this year's leavers. seven pupils are heading to universities in the USA, 81 Yale, Columbia, NYU, Swarthmora. Parsons and Notre Dame. In addition, four pupSls wlll be heading to Europe lo yludy. at IE Madrid. Bocconl. Trinity College Dublin and Sciences Po. Our post applic8nls secured places al UCLA, Imperial College London and Ex8t8r University, WB do not tske Ihege successes for granted. As I notod in last year's review, the independent schools sector continues to facg Considerable challenges. Recent political d&ci5ions- the imposillon of VAT on school fee5. removing business rates relief and unexpected changes lo employer N8liDnal Insurance contributions- have created a financially demanding environment. I want to sincerely thank our parents fortheir unwavering loyally, positivity, and support during Ihese turbulent limes. Our partnership with parents enables us lo continue lo offer a world-class Catholi¢ b08rding edvcalion. In Ihe spirit of our loundress IAary War(J who bèlieved that ￿Ornen should and can provide something more than ordinary" we remain resolute in our mission lo nurture excellence, faSth and eharaet•r In 8very pupil. Mrs Danula Staunton Headmisiress Page 1 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOVERNORS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Council M•mbers The lollowng serv8d as Council Memb8rs in the year ended 31 August 2025 and up to th8 date ofthis report.. Mat* Amiour Nicholas Davidson Barongss Sarah Hogg Clare Colacicchi Peter Davi8 Lord Hemphill (Chair The Hon Olga Polizzi Board of Governorn The govemors ol Sl Mary's School Ascol are the School's charity truste85 under ch8rily law and the directors ol the charitable cornpany. The members ol the Board of Governors who $8rved In officg a5 govemors during the year and subsequently are listed below. During the year the acliviliey ol Ihe Board of Govemors were supported by the work of eight committees. The membership ol each commillee is shown b81ow with Ihe Chair annotated ty an astsrisk. F&GP Dev Educ Bur Norn Sal SG P+H&S Christopher BeSrne De ut Chalr Melissa Belhell From1S lember 2025 ice Clemenli Annie Casey Samantha Coutinho Martin Hattrell Relirgd 4 Ju 2025 101 Peter McKenna Susannah Meadway Angus Neil Simon Nicholls From I S8 lember 2025 Sr France5 Orchard Alex Polizzi Sr Micha8la Robln80n Rellred 4 Jul 2025 Gillian van Maaren Clerneniine Vaughan Chair James Wèaver K•y- F&GP= Finance G8ner81 Purposes.. Dev= Dewbprnenl." Educ- Edurallon,. 8ur= Bur8ar*$.' Nom Nominatlws.. S81 Salaries,. SG- Safeguarding". P*H&S- Property and Health & Safety. Page 2 ST MARY'S SCHOOLASCOT COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOVERNORS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Offlcers (key managemgnt p•r8onno1 currently and throughout th• y•ar) Mrs DA Sl8unlon- Haadmistre Mr GK Brand - Bursar, Clerk to Council and Clerk lo the Govemors Prfnclpal •ddrn88 Sl Mary's School Ascot Sl Mary's Road Ascot Berkshire SL5 9JF Advl••r• Bank•rn Lloyds Bank PIC 10 High Slroel 8racknell RG12 18T Audltor Crowe U,K. LLP R+ Building 2 Blagrave Stre81 Reading 8erkshire RG1 1A2 8ollcltor8 Farrer & Co 66 Lincoln'8 Inn Flelds London WC2A 3LH In•uranc• Br¢)k•¥* Marsh 8rok8rs Llmile¢J Capital House 1-5 Perymounl Road Haywards Heath We81 Sussèx RH16 3SY Hardson Clark Rlckerbys Ellenborough Housa Wellinglon Sl Chellenh8m GLSO 1YD W•b8h• www.gtm8rysascol.com Pagg 3 ST MARYS SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 The members of the St Mary's School Ascot Board of Governors present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2025 underthe Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Praclice'AccounUng and Reporting by Charlbes" SORP 2015 IFRS 1021. induding the DiTeclors' and Strategic Reports, undor tha Companies Act 2006, togethor with the audited financial st8t8m•nts for the year. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION The group conslsts of St Mary's School A5COt Ilhe'school. or'st Mary's'l, a registered charity (charity number 2902861 and St Mary's A5coI Trading Company Limited 1￿MpanY number 26337071, a whollywned subsidiary Company. The School Is consfjtuled 86 a comp8ny limlted by guarantee. incowaled In 1984 and registered in England (company number 018443271. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Govevnlng docurn•nt The Charity is govemed by its Memorandum and Artlcles of Assoclollon1851 amendad on 19 May 2016. Councll M•mb•r• •nd Governorn Th8 Council Member8, who meet 8nnually, act aB the guardians of the ethos of the Scthool and, amongst other duties. 8ppolnl thè govemors of the School. Ttte Chalr of Coundl Is requlred lo glve wrlllen consent lo the 8ppolntrnenl ol a new Headmlslress. The GL)vernor5, who under Charity Law are the trustees of the charity, meel three tim8s a year and are responsibl8 lor the strategic le8dership, mAnag8menl and administraJon of the charity. The Memor8ndum and Artlcles ol As8odallon Sel out the legal poslllon of the Councll Members and governors whlch Is SUMMA￿sed a8 lollow8'. Coun¢ll Momb•r* M8mb8rs of the chari Board Df Governor* Directors of the charil Tnjstees of the charil Com an Law Charil Law The govemlng éocumen15 articulate the powers oflhe 8oard ofGovernots In delall 8nd only requlre the Board to Teler back to the Council Members should they wish lo clos8 Ihe School or borrow over £7,000,000. All Councll Member8 and governor8 give of thelr tlme freely with no remuner811on. No govemor or pernon cunnectèd ￿th a governor received any benefit from eit￿r means•lesled bursaries or scholarship5 awarded lo pupils. The Bursar is the Clerk lo the Councll Members and the Board of Goverriors. He is responsible for coordinaung tha work of the govemors and thoir committees. preparation of p8pers and managernenl accoun15 reviewing the mallers ari8ing. R•uultmeTrl and tralnlng of goY•rnor* The Articlos of A5SOCi8llon provide ¥Jetsil on the procedure for the appointment of Council Members and govemors. The Board ol Governors I￿11 consist of no less than three and no more then fifteen governors and the majority of governors must be practssing Roman Calholics. The governors may Co-opt an individual lo join the 808rd bul they will only hold officè unb'l the next Council Annual General Meeb'ng when the apwinlment of the co- opted governor musl be ralllied. A governor is appointed for up to nine years ond B govemor who has held office for nin8 years may hold office for a further three years In special circumstances. Pag8 4 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Thè Board of Govemors requires breadth and deplh ol experi8nc8 lo carry out ils dut18s 8ff8dvety and efficiently. The Board will always seek to appolnl governors who have a passion for education, an empathy wilh th8 full boarding nature of the School and an understanding of the ethos of the School. It is critical that all govemors empathise with the objects ol the char61y, the vision, faalures and ethos of tha School. Appointment of new governors is overs88n by the Norninations Committee. The committee wll se8k new governors by considering Individuals who eith8r meke themselves known lo the Board or who the Board actively seek to recruit to fill a particular skill gap. The committee wll always seek diversity when recornmending potential governors lo the Board in line with guidance in the Charity Governance Code (March 20211. They will also consider the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Associab'on as well as a mix of the following axpgrience and sklll8'. educallon, 88feguardlng, leg01, financelaccounling. IT and 18ciliueslcon5truclion. On 8ppoinlrn8nl of a new gDV8mor, th8 Headmistress and Clork lo the Governors are responsible IOT inducting the newly-appoinled governor 8nd Ihls is carrled out through 8 tailored programme ol visits lo the School as well as wrilien and verbal briefings. The Board ol Governors is provided with forrnal training periods throughout the year Inomally associated with meetings ol the Board) which includes 5afeguardlng Iraining. In addllion, govemors are encouraged lo attend extemal Iru51ee training and information courses designed to keep them informed and updated on current issues in the 8ector and regulalory requiremen15. This includgs 8ven15 sponsored by ISC, AGBIS, HMC, GSA. CISC and the ISBA. OrganlBatlonal man•g•ment The 808rd ol Govemors (who are the charfty Irusteesl 18 legally re&pon¥lble lor the overall management and control ol the School. 11 meets three times a year. The work ol Implemenilng Its pollcles18 carried out by eight commlllees.. FSnance and General Pur Se8 Cornmiltee "F&GP' . F&GP scrutinlses revenue, the budg&l and capital expenditure prior lo consideration by the Board. This committee meets 8nnually wllh the auditors and finalises the audited financial statements and annual report for approval by the Board. Th8 committee also considars any ganeral issues raised by the Headrnislress, Bursar and Finan¢8 Bursar, all of whom allend the meelSngs. uc81ion Commill The Education Committee. which ffleets ￿Vice a year, works with the Heaém151ress and her senlor academic staff on Bll strategic education Issuos and revl&ws publ1¢ examination results on an annual b8818. illee. The role of the Bur50ry Committee is to delerrnlne who should receive means- tested bursaries and tha value of the bursaries lo be award8d, Members meet annually And oulryOI- committee as wquired. nation mmitlee. The Nominations Commillee is responsible lo the Board for ov8rs8eing the recruilmenl and appointment of nèw govemors and meets biannually. Commillee. The Development Committee oversees the fundraising CO￿1￿￿ uvt by the Sthool and meets on an as requlred basi8. Salaries Committee. Thg Salaries Commillee meeis annu8lly lo consider staff remuneration. Al this meellng the committee will also meet with the Staff Union Represonlalives in a Joint Negolialing Commitlee IJNC) forurn. uardin Commlttee. The Safeguarding Committee meets with the Headmistress and Designated Safeguarding Lgad IOSLI lerynly Ihroughout the year to review safeguarding policy and practsce wilhln the School. ert and Hoallh & Safe Commilt The Property and Health & Safely Commillge meels biannually lo provide support to th8 Sthool with Property and Health and Safely issues. Page 5 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Th? Board ol Governors delègates the day to day running ol Ihe School lo the He8drnistress. The Headmistress chairs the Senior Management and Education Team which ￿nsists of the following stsff.. Headmistr8SS Senior Deputy Head Pa5Loral D8puty Head Academic DepLJty Head Co-curricular Deputy Head Dbrector of Sixth Forni Dire¢tor of Communication5 Direclor of Human Resource5 Bursar (also acts as Clerk to Council and to the Governors) Within th• School each departm•nt (both academic and support) h88 8n appointed Head ol Department. This not t)nly provides an efficient structure for the operational m8nagemenl of tho School and communication within the School, It a150 provides an effectlve structure through which budgets are formally delegated. Thè rarnunerallon of key manag8menl personnel (Headmlslress and Bursar) is $81 by the 8oaré, wllh the policy objedive of providlng 8ppropriate incentives to 8ncourage enh8nced performance and of rewardlng them fairly and respon51bly for Iheir individual contrlbulions (o the School's succ855. The appropriateness and r8levance of the r8muner8lion Policy Is revlewed ragularly, including reference to publlcly available data with other independent schools, lo en5ur8 that the School r8mains sensillve to the broader i8sue$ of pay and employment conéits'ons elsevthere. Safeguardlng The Board of Governors places a V•Ty high priority on IheSr duly lo safeguord the pupils. Governors ènsure Sl M8ry'5 is fulty compliant with $8fegu8rding leglyl8llon an¢J guldance In Ilne with the requirements of 'Working logelher lo safeguard chlldren ID8cember 20231. and 'Keeplng children safe in education Iseplembgr 20251,. Thè Board ha5 appointed one governor wilh experience ol safeguarding to have a leadership responsibility lor the School'8 safeguardin9 arrangements. In addilion, lo support thi5 governor, the Board hgs created 8 saleguarding 5u&commiltee which meets up lo twice a term with the Hcadmlstress, Pastoral Deputy Head and the School's Designated Safeguarding Leaij IDSLI and reports back to the 8oard al èach Board meeting. The Board formally review5 the Saleguardlng Policy on an annual ba515 a5 well as 8nsuring that staff training and saler recruitmgnt is taking place. The Boord is salislied that wllhln the School there Is a strong 5aleguarding culture and that the School is compliant wth both 'Worklng logelh8r to safeguard children. and 'Keeping chlldren sale In èducabon.. Group stru¢tur• and r•latlon$hlpi Sl Mary'8 School Ascol13 connected wlth St Mary's School Ascol Charllable Fund Ithe "Charllable Fund"). a regislered charity number: 800450. The objectives ol the Charitable Fund are to promote the charitable work carried on, promDled or supportad by the Congregation of Jesus and lo help develop Sl Mary's School Ascot. The Charitable Fund provldes funding for bursaries and scholarships lor present and luluro puplls of the Sthool. Sl Mary's A5coI Trading CompBny Limilgd Is wholly owned by the School. The Imdlng a¢livilies of this company chiefly comprise a retail oullel known as SMASH ISI Mary's Ascot Shopl, the leltin9 01 the swimming pool and revenue from the lolling of the School prernisès to community and commercial groups during the School's Easter and Summer holidays. The Tradlng Company results are incorporal8d in Ihe financial statements lo comply with the requirements of the Statement ol Recommend8d Practice "Accounting and R8porting by Charilles. SORP 2015 IFRS 1021. The Board of Govemors has noted the Charity Cornmis5ion's document 'Guid8nce for charilies with a connection lo a non-chari1￿ and can confirm Ihatlhe relationship between the School and the trading company is compllant. Page 6 ST MARYS SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Based on this assessmènt of the subsbdiary's future trading po8Otlon, the 8oard continues to assess the investment In the trading company as appropriate from 8 risk perspectlve and that the investment 'makes S8nse'. Further. the Board assert5 that the investmenl is pemilled by the School's governing documanls, that it is an effective use of charitable fijnds, Ih8t there is no personal benefit or confllcl ol interests and that the School is 8pplying proper m8nagement charges for use of charitable resources. Employmont pDIIcy St Mary's School Ascot is an equal opportunities employer and this is ath'culate¢J in the School's empbymenl policies. Full and falr consideration is given lo job applications from disabled persons and dua consNleratic is given to their training and employment negds. Communlcation and consult8ts.on with employees is a priorlty at Sl Mary's School Ascot. In S8ptemb8r 2023 the School enler8d Into a Voluntary Recogniti(￿ Agreement IVRAI with the NEU anii NAsuwf. This agreement provides for collecllve bargolnlng In respect of teachlng $laff (less meM￿r9 of the 8enl¢y managernenl t8am) over pay, hours, holKlays and pensions. On an annual b8sl¥. the Clerk lo the Governors formally meets with 8 8elecllon Olsupport $t8ff repr98enlallve$ who ale eno)uraged lo ralsa any concems regardlng r8muneration they mlghl have. Prior lo each 8C8demlc teim all academic staff, residential staff and key adminlslratlve staff attend INSET during which brlefingg and staff tralning takes place, During the Christmas holid8ys the Bursar organises o Bimilar training 8n(i briefing event IOT ihe support st8ff whlch includes safeguarding Iralnlng, health and safety Ir8ining a8 well as more 8lr8taglc briefings on the School'y performance. The Governors can rèport on the Gender Pay G8p in accordance with The Equality Act {G8nd8r Pay Gap Infomalionl Regulation8 2017. A8 81 S Aprll 202515 Aprll 20241, the School's workforce congis18 of 72.7% 12024.. 71.4Vo} women and 27.3% {2024.' 28.6%) men. Al St hrt8ry's the Mean gender pBy g8p Is 8.4%12024.' 6.50/•l and the median pBy gap is 4.3%12024.. 12.7%}. The percentago ol males and females in the different eamlno8 qU8rtlles are as follows.. Quartll• er Quartilg r Middle Quartlle Lower Middle Quartile Lower Quartile Mal• 36.5Q 32.60 20.5% 30.6% 28.8Vo 20.8% 23.3% 30.6% F•mal• 63.5° 67.4% 79.5Vo 69.4Vo 71.2% 79.2% 76.7% 69.40A These figuros indlcale that the split between men and women in all four quartll8s ar8 broadly In pioportion lo the overall gender split In st8ff. There are yllght but not malerlal change5 in the split b¢lween quartiles Since 2022 and Ihis represents a movement of a very few m8mbers of staff between categori8s. The report Is pub1I8hed on the School's w8b8118. Ch•rSty Governanc• Cod• Govemors noted the publlc8llon of the Charity Govem8nc8 Code In 2U17 by the Charlty Commi8slon and its gubgequenl updates. Govomors have ￿vieWed the seven ar8as cov8red by the code lorganisalional purpose,, leadershlp., decision making, risk and control.. board effecliv¢n¥ss, equality, ¢Jiversily and inclusion.. 8nd openness and accounlabllltyl and are sallsfied that the chority meets the principles and outcomes articul8tod in the code. Employe• •ngagernent In line the r8quirements of the Companies {Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, the Board of Govemors 15 pleased to report that il continues lo engage with employees throughout tho year. Ex8mple5 of direct engagement Include meeting wlh Staff Union Representatives as part of the annual remuneration review, engagement between gov8inor5 who are parents of pupi15 within the School ¥￿th staff from acr065 the School anLI the observation oflessons by govemors. Page 7 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 31 AUGUST 2025 On behalf of tha Board, the Headmistress and her Senior Monagement and Educatlon Tearn have B strong Cultu￿ of consultation wllh staff before inlroduryng signfflcanl change and these Issues are reported back lo Govemors at Board meetings. The Headmistress and Bursar brief staff on an annual basis on th8 overall p8rformanco of the School. This is not only financial reporting bul also how the School has perfomied in public examinations and university offers. The briefings include forward-lookn.ng assessments of the School's future plans so that staff are appr8ised of strategic goals. The culture of openness and tr8nsparency wrth the staff h88 bred a pos(tive spirit of mutual trust and genuine concern by all employe8s in tha long tarm success ol the School a$ a charitable Inslllulion. From September 2023 Ihls culture was further enhanced by the voluntary rgcognilion agreement that has been agreed the NEU and NAsU￿. Buslne4• r•latlon8hlps Th& Sthfx)I conllnuos io engage with a18rg8 nUM￿r of stakeholders. the m05t important of v*hich ar8 tha pupils and their parents. The work of our 18achlng staff, pasloral staff and support staff. a8 directed by the Board of Govemors, the Headmlslre5S and her Senlor M8nagement and Educallon Team, focuses on providing the pupils and parents wlth 8 high quallty academic educallon Lsnderpinn8d by B sirong Roman Calhollc 8thos set within a slrong boarding culture with first class pastoral care. The success ol this Is oulllned in thg Slrateglc Report below. The govemors contlnue lo place 8 slgnlficanl 8mpha818 on th8 need for strong and posllive ralallonships with self employed staff such 85 peTlpalellc vislling music leachors and sport5 coachès. Although the relationship with so118mploy8d slaff is neces8arlfy different to that of 8mployed staff, the School Is proud that many of these individuals have remained Ioy811o tho School for so many year5, reflectlng the strong and homonlou8 relatlonship Ih8t the Sthool foster8. The govemors also value positive rolalion6hips wth suppli8rs whose work in support ol the School 18 Invaluable. Governors require the 8ur$ar to $eek value lor money when engaglng 8ny Suppligr bul this Is tempered with forging strong relationships thot 8fe ullirnalely beneflciHI lo both pA￿eS. The Bursar alBO takes inlo account envlronmBntal credonlials, when appropriate, when choosing a n9w suppliar. The School Is also proud lo place a priority on local businesses such a5 in the supply ol m8at and other provisions lo tha School kitchens and second Ilne electrician ¥upport durlno school holldays. OBJECTS. FEATURES, VISION, ETHOS AND STRATEGIES Charltabh ObJ•¢t• The formal obhects of the charfty are.. to promote and prowdo for such charitable works wheres09ver and whalsoever as gdv8nca the Roman Colholic ￿l￿10n,. and to advanco education by the prowsw 8nd conduct of an ind8pend&nl Roman CBtholic school or schools for children of any cr88d (with preference to the children of th& Roman Catholic lailh) and. in particular, but without prgjudi¢e lo Ihe generality of the foregoing, far the education of girfs. and by gncillary and w￿rdenIal 8du¢81ional activities 8nd other assoctt8ted 8Ctlvltles for tho bonofjt of the community. The Board of Govemors inlgrprets and engages wth these charitabla objects by running a first cl8SS independent gids. Romgn Catholic boarding school. Featur•• The Board defines the School through five features.. Catholic Girfs Boardin Small size Academic Pag8 8 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Vl8lon 'To a modgrn and hollstlc Calhollc ed￿￿tiOn of outstandlng qualty for young women to Inspire nd8m ower th&m to la their full art in the lobal Communit To ￿SUre rhe Board can reali¥e this V￿10￿, Govemors view the school through four lenses: A￿deMIC VSslon We want to deliver 8 foNtsrd thinklng educallon which prepares gir18 for lile in th8 21at century. cr8ab.ve problem solving, curiosity. discove innovats'on and r8siliènce are the ke 5 10 success. Happy girts are those who thrive and succeed. Supporting pupils. mental wellbelng is becoming even more import8nl. Our current slruciure la¢ilil8les strong relab'onships within y88r gruups bul there is sco e lo enhance Ihls. Boarding is an education81 m¢xl61 where leamlng doosnl lusl happen behind a desk. The breadth and opportunities avallable through boarding are distinct from th8 day school experienca. Skills and lessons learned through co-currlcular acllvilies are erninent translerrable and Smprove academlc progress. Co-curriculor 9ctl￿tI8s hel lo dèvelo the character Irails necessa for success. W8 want lo safeguard the lulure ol the sthool and improve our bursary fund. Giving the gift of 8 Sl Mary's educalion to Ihos8 who might not otherwlse be 8ble 10 8fford il Is an Important way to glve back 8nd chan un erson's lifg. Pastoral Vision Boarding and Co- curricular Vlsion Ajumnae Vislon 5t Mary'• In 2030 Sl Mary'8 wlll be achlevlng excellence In ac&demlc dellvery, outcome¥ and university d98tinatlon8 through tho dellvery ol 8 curriculum which ensur85 pupllg 8r8 re8dy lor unlv&r81ty and the changlng worfd. Sl Mary's wlll be providing a world-class boarding experi8nc8 wllh outstanding pastoral carg. Sl Mary's will have 818ff who are motivated and traln8d to tleliver the best. Sl Mary's will have facilities whlch support the dallvery of excellence in all aspecly of lif8 ot school. Sl Mary's will b8 flnancially SUBlainable wSlh a full pupll roll. Sl Mary's will have strong governance and leadership lo support delivery of the 8tr8tegy. Publlc b•n•llt Sl Mary's School Ascot remaln8 commllled to the aim of providing publlc benefit 8nd, In accordance with Seclk*n 17 01 the Charitigs Act 2011, the Board of Governors conflrms that they have paid due Tegard to Ihe Charity Commlssion's statutory guldance on public benefit in deciding whi¢h activilles the charity should undertake. The awardlng ol bursaries for those unable lo afford the feas at Sl Mory'518 a m985urable me8n8 ol provlding public benefit and the 8oard of Governors places great importance and priorily on th8 School's m&8n8-lesled bursBry scheme. The School has a long history of providing financial support lo children who would othe￿iS8 not be able lo afford a St Mary's education. The School's bursary scheme Ss designed to 3351st parents or prospaclive parents who, for financial reasons, are unable lo send or conts'nue to send Iheir daughter lo the School. The Scheme includes (wo types of means-les18d bursaries - access and hardship. To ensure 811 bursary awards are well-focused and only the most dgserving benefit, the Bursary Commiltge wll taka nurnb8r of factors Into conyideralion, in addit￿￿ to currenl eamings, when assessing rneans. Thgse fathr8 indude property holdings, investments. savings, family holidays, cars and family rArcurnstances such as dependent relatives and the number of siblings. Each case is assessed on ils own merits by the Bursary Committee and awards are made accordingly. subject to the Sth(J(4'5 ability lo fund these within the contexl of its overall budget. Inform8licm about fee assistanc8 through mean5-lested buT5aries is provided to all applying lo the School and is published on the School's website. Page 9 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 This year Lh8 value ol rneans-tesled bursary awards totalled £991,635 12024.. £868.4881. Thls provlded sslstanee to 33 pupils of whom 16 benefited from at least 70% remission of fees and 12 from 900A or more remi55ion ol feès. The m8ans-lesled bursarles were funded by the School and the Sl Mary's School Ch8rilable Fund (charity number.. 8004501, which was astablished for the purpose of providing funds for the St Mary's School Ascot scholarship 8nd bursary programme. The School has made ¢harftable donations to th8 capital fund of the Charitable Fund in exeess of £1.9m since 1994. In the year ended 31 hJgLJsI 2025 the Charilable Fund donated £220k12024.' £231 kl lo contribute to the funding of bursarles and scholarships. The Board ol Governors beligves that the work and activities for the public benefit that lake place Ihroughoul the year with ¢hildr6n Irom local schools and with th8 local community 8re fundBmental to the Catholic ethos and splril ol the school and in line with the charitable objects, These aclivllies are a focus for staff and puplls who not only welcome them as part of day lo day Ilfe bul they are widely perceived as being a Core activily for the School. The Significant investment in time, energy and rèsources into our work with local 51ale schools reflects th8 Govèrnors. ￿ller that these aclivibes are the most effe¢tiv8 way of broadening and widening access lo Sl Mary's resources to the publlc, Including thos8 In poverty. In 2024-25 the School has continued lo d•v•lop our close relationship wilh the two local 8tal8 schools wit whom wo have formal Memoranda of Understanding Charters School and Sl Francis C8tholic Primary School. St Mary's engagement with Ihese schools 1$ a matter of normal day lo day sthool life 8nd involve8 both the sharing of resources 8nd the dua1 us8 of teaching staff.. CharteT8 pupII8 8ttend a len-week cours9 in Mandarln aB an enrlchment 8ctivlty. Charters puplls attend 8 ten-week aftor-school Russlan club run solaly lor them. St Froncls pupils use our swlmming pool every wgak Ihroughoul the year, together wlth three members of $taff who sup8rvl$e and leach swimming. St Francls pup115 Use our woodlands for their forest school and a150 hav8 weekly u8# of our loolball pitches. Support lo Oxbridge an(i medical applScants, indudin9 interview practice and wrillen feedback. lor 42 students frorn Chartars School as well as Mulberry Girf5 School In Tower Hamlets. Our Dlreclor of Sixth Form produced a vldeo ol Oxbrldg8 advice frir these puplls. 21 students from Charter8 Schod and Kings Academy 8infield attgndgd a UCAT trBinlng day, lully funded by St Mary's. Sl Francis pupils coma lo our sci8nc8 laboratorie5 for 3 ¢Jemonslration and workshop run by our selence Blaff, and havg the opportunity lo cary out an expedmenl in pairs, in a fully aqulpped laboratory. The Maths departm8nl hosts pupils from Holy Trinity and Sl Francis schools for th• Primary Math8 Maslercla58 run by St Mary's leachlng stsff. Our theatre ho8led the St Francls Year 6 scttool producllon, whlch we 81so recorded forlhem. We provlded Costumes, props and technical sUPPOrt for IheSr show, including full tèchnical lighting and sound. We also provided a lick8ting system and trained their staff and p8r8nl team for front of house duties. Sl Mary's Estsles department continues lo provide a broad r8nge ol practical help lo Sl Francis, helping them wlth groijnds work. maintenance and Ihe 5erviGing of equipment. and the use of our gazebos, Our Calerlng departmtrnl made available our barbecue, gas and thafing dishes for Lheir school fete In July. A member of the Senior management learn serves on Charters Members ITru81eesl commlllee. Sl Mary's Ss an active 8UPPOrt8r of Ihe Thames Valley Learning Partnership Iwww.tvlp,org.ukl, an equal partnership of slate and independent secondary schools in Berkshire. Events hosted by St Mary's in 2024-25 induded.. Our annual Intern8tlonBI Women's Day conference hoslad by Sl Mary's lor all parinership schools Lectures by visiting speakers which are made available online. A Student Leadership day of tslks and workshops for Sixth Fom puplls The inaugural TVLP dance festival for local schools, creatèd and hosted by St Mary's Students from the TVLP group ofschools were invited to a careeT5 talk on Entrepreneurship byJo M81one. CBE Page 10 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 St Mary's also provldès 8 range of support for pupils from other schools.. St Ma￿S pald lor 11 pupils from Ioc81 state schools lo take port in a UCAT prepar8llon day delivered by an gxlernal Provider. Sl Mary's ac15 as a voluniary local centre for Modem Foreign Language oral examlnab"on8. which involves hosting state schools, providing chaperonès and administering Ihe examinations. Oxbridg8 interview Practice and f88dback for pupils from All Hallows Catholic School in Farnham. The C13551cs department supports pupils and the Classics department at Sl Bernard's Catholic Grammar School In Slough, including a weekly Greek club, and a weekly online class for a pupil preparing for Classical Greek GCSE. These sessions inclu¢Je all materials and resources. They 8lso gave Interview practica to a Sl Bernard's pupil who w8nl on to secure a place at Oxford University. St Mary's slatt act as County Sècretary for the B8rk5hire County ESAA and organise Ihe district alhletlCS competition for local stale and independent schools, which is the qualifying cornpetilion lor the county toumamenl, Kings Ac8demy medlcal students come lo weekly sessions at St Mary'8 to support their medicine applications. St Mary's teachers conducted practice Oxb￿dge intervlews lor $late school pu￿.1$ 81 an afternoon arranged al Godolphin and Lalymer School. Provision of facllille5 to pupils from local schools lo lake Ihelr ABRSM music exams. Sl Mary'3 has 8 very high number of puplls who path'cipate in the Duke of Edlnburgh's Award - almost the whole of Y8ar 9 complete Bronz8. about Iwo-thirds of Year 10 complet8 Silver, Bnd a third of the Sixth Fom complete Gold. The Award's Head Office esllmales that our puplls have conlrlbuled 2.522 hours ol voluntèering in the yaor gnding March 2025, with a social value of nearly £15,000. Olher 8x8mples of aclivlues carrfed out Ihls year for the public benefit include.. St Marys donated 'bock lo school, boxes lo the Goedgedacht Trust uslng money rals8d 81 gchool events. Sl Mary's made facllitie5 avaSlable for Macmlllan Cancer Support to wn a p81ienl focus group. The Sports department loaned fllness 8quiprnenl lo A$￿t Heaih Prlrnary School for a glep climblng fundraiser that they were hosting. 27 pvpils travelled lo South Ind18 lo carry out a developmanl project wth a rural community in Haripad. K8ralB region. The Sl Mary's comrnunity r8ised or donated £20.000 lor charitable causès in the year 2024-25 through V8rSely of fundr81slng 8Ctivlties Including 8 charlty lunf8ir. a sponsored sleepoul, a charity lenniy tournament, a swimalhon. concerts, bake s81es and a sludenl-produced magazln8. Pupi16 bake food each week lor homeless and vulnerable people in R08dlng. Pupils volunt88r al Ascot Day Centre and A8coI Grange care home Puplls donate ChrislmBS boxes to tho Calhollc Chlldren's Soclety Members of slaff are qualifled school Inspectors and are pemiitted Ilme off from Ihelr St Mary's role to carry out inspoclion5 01 oiher schools. The School hosts coffee mornings and support sessions lor HeadWrapp8rs, a charity Icharlly nurnber.. 11779811 dedic81ed lo providing support lo cancer sufferers who experienc& h8lr Ioss 8s a result of Iheir Irealmenl. The School is developing 8 relationship with Berkshire Vision and Guide Dog5 allowing them lo use the Orch8rd Centre and the Food Technology room free of charge for a¢livity days for vlslon-impaired children and young adults, A momber of senior managem8nt serves on the Parish Council in Ascot and Windsor Catholic parish. One of our History of Art teachers works ￿th the charity Art History Link Up ihat offers a free A Level in the subject to young people who cannot acces¥ il otherwise. Governors nola th8t it is unfortunate that Council planning condlliefis restrict the use by others of the Orchard Centre (sports cgntrel and the athletics and hockey facilities. Page11 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 STRATEGIC REPORT ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE The Board of Govemors is pleased lo report that academic year 2024-25 has been another hlghly succe88ful year for the School when measured against the charity's objects, the Board's interpretation of the objects Ilo run 8 first class independent girls. Roman Catholic boarding school) and the stral8gie5 S81 oul by th8 Board forlhe School in 2024-25. Thls section of the Report highlights key elements ol the aclivilie5 and achievements of the School whith have contributed to the success. Duty under Sectlon 17211) of tho Comp•nle$ Act 2006 The Board Is able to report that it has complied with 118 duty lo have regard lo the matters in Section 17211 laFIII of the Cornpanies Act 2006. This duly sets out that tho govomors, as dir8Ctors of the charitable company. mu818ct in the way ihey consider, In good lallh, would be mosl likely lo promote the successful achievement of the objects of the charity in the current period and in th8 long term. In discharging their dutiès, th8 governors carefully consider amongst other mattèrs, the impact on and interests of other stakeholders in the School and factor these into their decislon-making proc989. In particular.. Parents and pupll• Tho govornors commlt considerable tim?, effort and resources inlcj understanding and responding lo the needs of our pupils and parents. All Governor decision5 are 18ken with tha impact on the pupils and their p8rents firmly in mind and Beeking to achieve the highest standards. When necessary, the governor8 work quickly to resolve any18olaled dlgagreemenis Ih81 m8y arige frorn tlme to time. Employ008 The Board of Governorsls kept fully Inform•d of any employee concems through regular fomi81 and infomial b￿efingS from the Headmistress 8nd Bursar. The governors are commllled lo promoting o positiva and healthy environment for Ihe loaching. residential, administrative and 5UPPOrt stall for boih physical and mental w8llbeing. Th8 govamors promo18 inclusion in the workplac8 and provide resources for training and development opportunities for all staff. The governors encourage r8cruitmenl and developmenl strategies whlch seek to allracl 8nd rètain lalenled staff and this is complemented by an expanded ernployee assistance programme, which now Includes "Doctor Hand" The Director of Human Resoufces acts as a focus for employee issues. The School has In place a Voluntary Recognition A9reernenl with the NEU and NAsU￿. Suppll•rn The governors promote the need lo develop long-lerm and mulually-benefici81 relationships with 8uppli8rs, r89ularly te51ed against prevailing market conditions and, in porticular, are supportive of the development ol rglalions with local suppliers 8nd those with gtrong environmental credentials. Communty and the •nvlwonment The govemors are conscious of the SchoDI's importanl role within the community. The School 18kes ils role within the community vtsry seriously and promote$ and encourages cornmunity and tharitable contn'bulion as part of the overall public benefit pmvidad by the charity. Although few of the pupils are drawn from Ihe immediate local ¢ommunlly. the S¢hool is on important kjcal empleyer and has an Influential position in the local communlty. The School also recognises the importance of Its environm8ntal responsibilities and has measur8s in place lo monitor and control ils impact on Ihe1gG#I environment and its Compliance with any regulalory environrnental standards. The SCI￿01 s6eks lo implement policies aimed at reduclng 8ny potential detrimental environmental Impact of its activities. Standards and conduct The School se15 115elf the highest ol standards in the way il manages ils relationship with parents. staff and suppliers. This approach. founded on the School's Roman Catholic ethos, Is characterised by faimess and transparency. These stsndards are clearly comrnunicaled lo every 8tsff mèmb8r on induction and lo which adherence is expected and enforced. Page 12 ST MARY'S SCHOOL ASCOT REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS (CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Pupll nuMI￿r* and •¢ademic achievem•nt St Mary'5 provides an envirunmenl not availabk in the maint81ned Sector.. academic, residential. girls ￿lY and Catholic. The cora activity has been the education of 385 children.. 368 boarders and 17 day boarders. St Marys continues to deliver a broad. balanced. ambitious and knowledge rich curriculum. This summèr. pupils at both A Level and IIGCSE achieved impressive public eKamin8lion rosults. Al IIGCSE, 69Yo of grades were awarded al Grade 9, 86°h al Gra¢Jes 9- 8 and 94'h at Grades 9- 7. Wilhln these 8xceptional outcornes, 23.￿ of pupils achieved straight Grade 9$, 31 % secured ten Grade 9s, 390/0 achleved nine Grade 9s. and over hBlf allained a full Sel of Grades 9- 8. Al A L&vel, 30% of grades were at A. with 63% Èt A'.A. Impressively, 42V• of the cohort achieved a complele 861 ol A. or A grades, With 50% also celebrats'ng an A, or A in the Extended Project Qualification. The school is extremely proud ol the pupib who had worked so hard and $0 cheerfully. Out ol an UVI year group of fifty fity one pupi15 recelved offers of plgce8 to contlnue to unlverslly with 88Vo acthi8vlng either IheSr firm or insur8nce places. Thirty seven pupils are startsng this year with eight dafgrring Ih&ir places lo 2026. Seven pupils hav8 decided lo make a post A Level appllcauon In thè oming year. Offers were secured for a wide range of subjects Irom many of the worfd's leading univergltl88, including Oxlord and Cambridge. Of the pupils going to UK universilie5, 80% are taking up places at Rus6ell Group Universiti&s rislng lo 89% whèn including St Andrew8 antj 8alh, AJI four medical applicant$ achievad pl8cas lo study medlcine. Our post applicants secured placeB al UCLA, ImperSal College London and The University of Exeler. From th15 year's leovers, seven pup118 are headlng to unlversllley In the USA, al Yale, Columbia, NYU, Swarthmore, Parsons and Notre Dame. In addition, four puplls will be he8dlng lo Europe to Study al IE Madrid, Bocconi, Trinlly College Oublin and ScS8nce8 Po. Co*urrl¢ul•r ActlvllS•• Pupils oncg agaln eng8ged enlhusi8slrcalty wllh 8 wlde range of co