St Mary’s School has a long story to tell; in fact research has shown that we can trace back our ‘roots’ to the late thirteenth century, as a school founded by the Guildsmen of St Neots for the education of their sons.

In 1805 the school moved from the Church where it had been from mediaeval times to buildings in Church Walk, a site where it remained for 150 years. In 1961 plans were now put in hand for the rebuilding of the school on a larger site with all the advantages that this would give. This meant, however, that the school had to leave the centre of the town. In May 1966 the school buildings were dedicated by the Bishop of Ely.

In May 1994 the building was destroyed by a devastating fire. Between June 1994 and October 1995 the school moved down the road and shared a site with Winhills County Primary School. The new building was completed in October 1995 and the school was rededicated by the Bishop of Huntingdon on 15th November 1995.

The School

The school was designed on the basis of the old building but the opportunity was taken to redesign parts of the school. We now have a building that has the space of a school built in the 1960’s but with the facilities of a 1990’s school. We have a school which is superbly equipped. Each year group has its own classroom area with some shared facilities between classrooms. Within each class area there are computers for the children to use. The school is carpeted throughout with acoustic ceilings giving a very quiet learning environment for the children. The nursery is in a separate classroom unit with a play area. This is opposite the reception classroom to allow the natural progression of the children into the main school. In the centre of the school is a peaceful garden area which provides a focal point for the building. This area can also be used for teaching. Around the outside to the school area are places for the children to sit which have been designed as quiet areas. The school field is used for games and PE and there are also wildlife areas around the perimeter. The school benefits from a large hall which provides a variety of sports facilities for the children. The library is placed at the centre of the school in between the two key stages. It is very well resourced with a full range of books. It also benefits from a computer system to access wider information.