It then moved to its current site in Benton Park Road in Longbenton where it continued to be a boys-only school until 1977.

New buildings for the school were completed in September 2011, including an atrium, the chapel, the main hall and sports facilities.

In July 2007 the school was awarded Humanities College status by the government, and given an additional £500,000 to develop further expertise in English, religious education and the performing arts.

[2] The Fleur-de-lis contained within the arms of St Mary's is the symbol most commonly used by the school, and is used on letterheads and newsletters as the logo.

The present arms of the school were designed by the long serving ex Art teacher John Croney and replaced an earlier version.