The site on which the school now stands was originally opened as Holy Family School in 1894. In 1996 Holy Family School was amalgamated with the Our Lady of the Rosary School to create St. Mary’s, taking the parish name. The two schools occupied two different sites until May 1st 2002 when, after a major building project, they came together on this one site. Since then the school has had two further major building projects to create a learning environment that meets the needs of the children.

The school is near the centre of Horwich and is a vital part of the Parish community. It is very closely situated to our feeder secondary school, St. Joseph’s, with whom there are excellent links.

The staff, parents and Governors work very closely to offer the very best for the children in our school.​

Our school day begins at 8.45 a.m, however, children are encouraged to enter school from 8.35 a.m allowing them to enter in a calming manner and to help them get settled into class, ready for the day ahead. Our school days finishes at 3.15 p.m and our standard number of school hours are 32 hours and 30 minutes per week.

St. Mary’s offers care for children of working parents. The school opens for Breakfast Club from 7.30 a.m. every morning. Children receive breakfast and are supervised by five members of staff until school starts.
After School Club runs from 3.15 p.m. through to 6.00 p.m. Children are given a light snack and provided with different activities. The school is an integral part of the Parish of St. Mary’s. The children and families benefit from the close links with the Parish. We hold regular Masses in school, which are attended by parishioners, and the children are also taken to join the Parish for many Masses and Celebrations throughout the year.

St. Mary’s School has a very committed Governing Body. The members are made up of 7 Diocesan or Foundation Governors, 1 LA Governor, 2 Parent Governors, 1 Staff Governor and the Headteacher. We work in partnership with the staff and make it our responsibility to ensure our school is a happy place in which children can work and play.

The Governors meet in full at least once a term. There are two committees: Learning and Teaching and Personnel, Finance and Premises, which meet more frequently. The Headteacher reports regularly to each committee, which in turn reports to the full Governing Body.