who we are
St Mary’s Calne is one of the UK’s leading boarding and day schools for girls. We are a dynamic and supportive community where academic excellence, creativity and personal growth are cultivated every day. Every pupil is celebrated as an individual, encouraged to explore boldly, grow with confidence and take purposeful steps towards the life she wants to lead.
Empowering girls and young women through exceptional teaching and boundless opportunities
OUR ETHOS
What makes St Mary’s Calne special?
Our ethos is built on the belief that every girl should be known, valued and empowered to achieve her full potential. At St Mary’s we call this ‘Win Your Own Race.’
St Mary’s pupils are inspired to think independently, embrace challenges and act with empathy and integrity. Whether in the classroom, on stage, in the lab or on the sports field, we celebrate individuality and nurture personal growth.
A top-ranked school for academic achievement, every year our pupils receive outstanding results at GCSE and A Level.
who we are
Why all-girls?
We are proudly all-girls and have been since 1873, making us one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK. Girls flourish in all-girls environments like St Mary’s Calne and this is supported time and time again by research which shows girls achieve better academically in an all-girls setting. It means pupils in girls’ schools are more likely to take STEM subjects, more likely to participate in sport and have greater confidence and emotional intelligence.
Strong relationships and shared values underpin everything we do, empowering girls to grow into capable and compassionate individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
our mission
Inspiring courage, curiosity and compassion
We empower every pupil to grow and excel with courage, curiosity and compassion, confident in her own potential and open to the diverse ideas and perspectives that enrich and contribute to our world. Life at school is shaped by our Christian ethos as a Church of England school.
In our all-girls’ supportive community and driven by academic excellence, pupils are inspired to become fearless leaders, thoughtful innovators and compassionate changemakers, ready to embrace challenges and discover solutions, creating exciting futures full of possibility, joy and fulfilment.
Vision and values
Our values are at the heart of who we are. They shape how we learn, how we treat one another and how we grow – as individuals and as a community. Rooted in curiosity, compassion and courage, these values help every individual flourish with purpose and integrity.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Inspiring excellence through curiosity and challenge
At St Mary’s Calne, academic life is driven by high expectations, expert teaching with a passion for their subjects and a love of learning.
Our broad and challenging curriculum encourages intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, equipping pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to flourish, both at school and beyond.
WELLBEING
Instilling confidence, resilience and growth
Wellbeing underpins every pupil’s success. Through our holistic Personal Development Programme, we foster self-belief, resilience and emotional awareness. Taught in three stages – awareness, intervention and evaluation – the programme builds confidence and life skills across key areas including emotional health, positive relationships, healthy living, appreciation and positive thinking.
SPECIALIST TEACHING
Expert teaching that inspires ambition
Subject specialists bring depth, passion and expertise to every lesson at Calne. Their enthusiasm ignites curiosity and fosters high achievement, encouraging each pupil to think independently and aim high.
With academic excellence at the core, our teachers create a vibrant and supportive environment where every pupil is challenged, inspired and empowered.
Co-curricular
Empowering students to explore with confidence
Life at St Mary’s Calne is rich with opportunities that go far beyond the classroom. Our co-curricular programme encourages every pupil to explore boldly, uncover hidden talents and develop passions that will stay with her for life. Evenings and weekends are alive with creativity, teamwork, challenge and joy, an enriching part of school life in our full-boarding school.
Campus and facilities
State-of-the-art facilities
At St Mary’s Calne, every space is designed to spark curiosity and support growth. From light-filled studios to state-of-the-art sports facilities, beautiful outdoor grounds and our award-winning Lumi Library, our campus blends tradition with innovation. It’s a place where girls can learn, create, play and discover new possibilities every day.
LOCATION AND TRANSPORT
Convenient location in the heart of Wiltshire
Located in Calne, Wiltshire, we’re easily accessible by air, rail and road. Train services from nearby Chippenham and M4 motorway, provides easy access in just over an hour to London and Heathrow.
For day pupils, we have a minibus network covering Marlborough, Pewsey Vale, Devizes, Melksham, Chippenham, Malmesbury and the surrounding area. We offer an escorted coach service for boarders at half term holidays and exeats.
Our Team
Meet the staff
At St Mary’s Calne, our dedicated staff, governors and leaders work together to create a supportive, inspiring community where every girl is known, valued and empowered to flourish.
OUR HISTORY AND FUTURE
Celebrating our past, inspiring our future
Founded in 1873, St Mary’s Calne has a rich heritage as one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK rooted in our tradition of our Church of England founders. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to academic excellence and providing a warm and supportive community where students can grow, learn and thrive for many years to come.
We are ambitious for our pupils and ambitious for our school. Having just celebrated our first 150 years, we are looking ahead to our next 150 years with plans to expand our already excellent facilities and offer a wider range of bursaries to enable more young girls to benefit from a Calne education.
Latest News
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Inspirational alumnae, Catherine Porteous, shares insight of groundbreaking BBC2 History of Art series, Civilisation
Read more: Inspirational alumnae, Catherine Porteous, shares insight of groundbreaking BBC2 History of Art series, Civilisation -
University of Bath’s Chemistry Masterclass challenges student chemists
Read more: University of Bath’s Chemistry Masterclass challenges student chemists -
Home clothes day raises funds for Breakthrough T1D
Read more: Home clothes day raises funds for Breakthrough T1D
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.