In Year 7 and Year 8, students are not required to follow a specific curriculum towards externally set examinations. Consequently, many of the subjects can offer a bespoke St Mary's Calne programme of study to ensure the girls are perfectly prepared for the start of UIV and their GCSE courses. Pupils are still academically challenged as all students study:

  • Art
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computational Thinking
  • Computing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Drama
  • English
  • French, Spanish or German
  • History
  • Latin
  • Mandarin
  • Maths
  • Music
  • Physics
  • Personal Development
  • Religious Studies

Class sizes are kept small so all of the girls have the opportunity to contribute in lessons and be fully supported by the teacher.

The Lower School academic programme culminates with the ISEB project which the girls prepare for independently. This is similar to an EPQ which they will do in the Upper Sixth, where they choose their own topic and research their question over the course of the year.