Choosing the right senior school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will make. Whether she is joining at the start of Senior School or preparing for National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher courses, the right school environment can provide the support, challenge and individual attention she needs to thrive academically, socially and personally.
As the only independent school for girls aged 3–18 in the North of Scotland, St Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen offers a supportive and welcoming community where every girl is known, valued and encouraged to achieve her full potential, both in and beyond the classroom.
Our school values of respect, equality, hard work, ambition and community are at the heart of all that we do. Small class sizes, expert teaching and personalised support ensure that each girl is recognised as an individual and encouraged to reach her goals and aspirations.
This culture of ambition, care and achievement is reflected not only in our outstanding exam results year on year, but also in the confidence with which pupils move on to their chosen universities and future pathways.
From individual attention and academic achievement to leadership opportunities, wellbeing support and a rich programme of activities beyond the classroom, here are five reasons why families choose St Margaret’s Senior School in Aberdeen.
At St Margaret’s, every girl is known, valued and supported. Small class sizes allow teachers to understand each pupil’s strengths, interests and learning needs, ensuring that she receives the right balance of guidance, support and challenge throughout her senior school journey.
Our school is large enough to offer flexibility and choice in terms of the curriculum, subject options and extra-curricular activities, but small enough to ensure that every girl is well known and closely supported by her teachers.
St Margaret’s staff are experts in teaching girls and are committed to supporting each girl to be all that she can be, both in and beyond the classroom. Whether a pupil requires additional guidance, encouragement to build confidence, or academic stretch to help her achieve her full potential, teachers can respond to her individual needs.
As pupils move through the senior school, this personalised approach becomes especially important, supporting them in making confident, well-informed decisions about National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher subjects, and the pathways which will best support their future aspirations.
At St Margaret’s, girls are encouraged to use their voice. In a dedicated all-girls’ environment, pupils are supported to express themselves freely, articulate their thoughts confidently and advocate for themselves and others.
This confidence is nurtured both in and beyond the classroom. Girls are encouraged to ask questions, contribute to discussion, develop independent thinking and take part fully in the life of the school. Through structured opportunities such as debating, public speaking and Model United Nations, pupils build the knowledge, skills and oracy needed to share their views with confidence.
Senior pupils also have opportunities to take on meaningful leadership roles within the wider school community. Recent examples include pupils organising and running St Margaret’s Model United Nations Conference, welcoming students from across Scotland for a day of debate, diplomacy and student-led leadership, as well as taking part in the school’s Student Leadership Conference, designed to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills in young women.
As they progress through the senior school, girls learn to lead with respect and empathy, to listen to others and to make a positive contribution to school life and beyond. St Margaret’s helps girls develop the confidence, self-belief and communication skills they need to speak up, lead and make their voices heard, both in school and beyond.
St Margaret’s is proud of its outstanding academic achievements, with pupils consistently performing strongly in national examinations and progressing to their chosen university destinations and future pathways.
This high standard is supported by specialist teaching, small class sizes and a culture of ambition and achievement. In I and II Senior, girls follow a broad academic programme which provides breadth, balance and enjoyment, giving them a firm basis on which to build further study for SQA examinations. As pupils move through the senior school, they are supported in making confident subject choices, from National 5 through to Higher and Advanced Higher level, with individual guidance to help them choose the qualifications and pathways which best support their future aspirations.
The school’s recent exam results reflect this high standard of achievement. In 2025, St Margaret’s celebrated record-breaking National 5 results, alongside outstanding results at Higher and Advanced Higher level; a testament to pupils’ dedication, teachers’ expertise, and the strength of an all-girls’ education built on ambition, personalised support and a close-knit community.
This strong academic performance was further recognised when St Margaret’s was named Highly Commended Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026 in the Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide.
Sixth Year leavers gained places at their chosen university destinations, progressing to a wide range of courses including medicine, STEM, arts, humanities and social sciences.
While we are proud of these results, we are equally proud of the confident, curious and independent young women our pupils become. Throughout their senior school journey, girls are encouraged to work hard, aim high and take pride in their learning, while developing the resilience and self-motivation needed for life beyond school.
At St Margaret’s, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our extra-curricular programme gives every girl the opportunity to discover new interests, develop her strengths and build confidence through a wide range of activities.
Senior pupils are encouraged to work hard whilst enjoying everything else that life has to offer at St Margaret’s. Girls are motivated to participate in extra-curricular activities, events and trips which allow them to develop confidence and self-esteem, as well as to make friendships across year groups.
Activities include sport, music, singing and performance, arts and crafts, STEM, debate and discussion, and a wide range of special interest clubs. Through these opportunities, girls are encouraged to identify and build their individual strengths, develop existing talents and challenge themselves in a supportive environment.
While enjoyable in themselves, these experiences also help girls to develop the skills and personal qualities they will require to be successful and happy beyond school, and to go on to make a positive contribution to the world.
At St Margaret’s, the wellbeing of our pupils is at the heart of our school community.
As a dedicated all-girls’ school, we understand that supporting girls means more than academic excellence. Every girl is known, understood and supported as an individual within a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment.
Our pastoral support model, including form teachers, academic mentoring, a dedicated guidance team and the health expertise of our school nurse, enables us to respond to individual needs as they arise. This proactive approach helps ensure that girls receive the right support at the right time.
Through tailored programmes and initiatives, girls develop emotional literacy and self-awareness, helping them to build strong connections based on trust, empathy and mutual respect. In this supportive environment, pupils are encouraged to express themselves freely, articulate their thoughts confidently and advocate for themselves and others.
Above all, St Margaret’s is a close-knit community where every girl is known, valued and supported. Pupils are encouraged to grow in confidence and resilience, and to develop the ambition they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
Give your daughter the best foundation for future success.
St Margaret’s Senior School offers a warm, ambitious and inspiring environment where girls are challenged and encouraged to achieve their full potential, both in and beyond the classroom.
A limited number of places remain available for Senior School and Sixth Year entry in August 2026.
Our Admissions Office is open throughout the summer.
For more information or to book a personal visit, please contact our Admissions Team on 01224 584466 or email admissions@st-margaret.uk