discover our independent girls school
A Boarding School Near London Empowering Girls To Flourish
Nestled within 27 acres of Wiltshire countryside, St Mary’s Calne is a full boarding school near London that offers academic excellence for girls ranging from Year 7 to Sixth Form. For families seeking a prestigious British education away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, our school provides the perfect sanctuary. Girls benefit from a safe, expansive green environment to focus on their growth, while remaining close enough to London to enjoy its rich cultural offerings, exhibitions, and weekend trips.
“Our vibrant full-boarding ethos creates a warm and welcoming community where day girls and boarders alike share a passion for learning, developing the independence and confidence to shape their own futures.”
Convenient location
Easily accessible from London and Heathrow
For London-based and international families, St Mary’s Calne offers the ideal balance of idyllic country schooling and convenience. Situated less than two hours from London by road or rail links, the school is easy to access for exeats, weekend visits and school holidays. For families based overseas flying into Heathrow, St Mary’s Calne is just over an hour by car along the M4 motorway. Choosing a boarding school near London means your daughter gains the space to breathe and focus, without feeling disconnected.
academic excellence
Academic excellence where girls stretch without stress
As a leading day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, our innovative and rich curriculum from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form is designed to ignite curiosity and foster deep academic ambition. We offer a bespoke educational journey where girls are encouraged to push boundaries, question the world around them, and excel with particular strengths in STEM, the arts, and the humanities. Our exceptional track record of Russell Group Oxbridge and international university placements ensures that every student is thoroughly prepared to step confidently into global higher education and future careers.
horizontal boarding structure
Boarding houses that build lifelong friendships
Our warm, nurturing boarding houses are at the heart of school life at St Mary’s Calne, where more than 80% of pupils board. Full boarding enables girls to immerse themselves fully in school life. From a busy weekend programme to structured homework and study time and from diverse extracurricular activities to deep peer support, living and learning together builds a unique sense of camaraderie and lifelong friendships. Our dedicated house staff within our ‘horizontal boarding structure’, where girls live with their year group creates an environment where every girl feels secure, valued, and motivated.
Why choose St Mary’s Calne when looking for a boarding school near London?
St Mary’s Calne stands out as one of the best British boarding schools near London. Located on the edge of a traditional English market town, the school is surrounded by stunning quintessential English countryside, just south of the Cotswolds. St Mary’s Calne is the ideal school for bright, enthusiastic girls who want to achieve outstanding exam results – opening doors to exciting university and career choices. – while throwing themselves into the huge range of activities and experiences available. As one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK, St Mary’s provides an education specifically tailored to how girls learn best. Students at St Mary’s Calne enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, extensive sports fields, and a supportive, all-girls environment that champions female leadership. We provide a rich, holistic education that balances rigorous academics with unparalleled pastoral care, ensuring each pupil doesn’t just pass exams but truly flourishes.
Just over an hour from London, based in beautiful Wiltshire, St Mary’s Calne is easy to access by rail, train and plane. For rail travel, our closest station is Chippenham (a short 15-minute drive from Calne), which features direct, fast train services to London Paddington in just over an hour. This makes coming down for weekend sports matches, school plays, or picking up your daughter for the holidays incredibly convenient.
ST MARY’S CALNE BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL
Start your journey
At St Mary’s Calne, one of the UK’s leading schools for girls, every pupil is known, supported and inspired to achieve her best academically and personally. We would be delighted to welcome you to our community and show you how your daughter can grow, learn and flourish with us.