St Mary's Ascot
Encyclopedia
St Mary's, Ascot is a Roman Catholic independent boarding school for girls in South Ascot, Berkshire, England
founded in 1885. The school now has about 360 pupils.
In 2006, the school opened its new sports centre named The Orchard Centre after the Catholic family from whence the school's two
previous headmistresses came. The Centre was opened by ballerina, Darcey Bussell
. A Performing Arts Centre has also been built named 'The Rose Theatre. It opened in April 2009.
Ascot, Berkshire
Ascot is a village within the civil parish of Sunninghill and Ascot, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting...
founded in 1885. The school now has about 360 pupils.
History
St Mary's, Ascot was founded by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). In 1998 the school had its first lay Headmistress, Mrs Mary Breen, who remains. Mrs Virginia Barker is the Deputy Head. Only two non-lay staff remain, Sister Michaela, a teacher, and Fr Dermot, the school's chaplain.In 2006, the school opened its new sports centre named The Orchard Centre after the Catholic family from whence the school's two
previous headmistresses came. The Centre was opened by ballerina, Darcey Bussell
Darcey Bussell
Darcey Andrea Bussell CBE is a retired English ballerina. Trained at the Arts Educational School and the Royal Ballet School, she was later employed by the Royal Ballet, where she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer and would become recognised as one of the greatest English ballerinas of...
. A Performing Arts Centre has also been built named 'The Rose Theatre. It opened in April 2009.
Notable former pupils
Notable school alumnae include:- Caroline, Princess of HanoverCaroline, Princess of HanoverCaroline, Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco , formally styled Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover , has been heiress presumptive to the throne of Monaco since 2005, a position which she previously held from 1957 to 1958.She is the wife of...
- Pamela Brown, actress
- Lady Antonia Fraser, writer
- Sarah Hogg, Viscountess Hailsham, economist/journalist
- Zena MarshallZena MarshallZena Moyra Marshall was a British actress of film and television.She attended St Mary's, Ascot and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art...
, actress - Marina Warner, writer