academic life
year 7 and 8 curriculum
The Lower School curriculum offers a broad, balanced foundation that blends tradition with innovation, nurturing curiosity from the very start. Inspiring creativity and resilience, St Mary’s Calne prepares pupils to embrace challenges with assurance and imagination.
Inspiring creativity and resilience, pupils are prepared to embrace challenges with assurance and imagination
A foundation for confident, curious learners
Pupils enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum encompassing academic tradition such as Latin, English and mathematics, with forward-looking subjects including critical thinking and computing. These foundations help each girl grow into a confident, curious learner with a love of discovery.
Unique to St Mary’s Calne, the Friday Futures Programme enriches the curriculum with tailored activities that build confidence, digital literacy and employability skills.
Creativity and cultural awareness
Developing creativity is central to Lower School life. Teachers nurture individuality and confidence while helping pupils to collaborate, experiment and reflect on their achievements.
Creative arts such as drama, music and art encourage girls to explore ideas and express themselves in different ways. In history and geography pupils develop curiosity about the wider world, while languages – both modern and ancient – encourage cultural awareness and open doors to new perspectives.
The Lower School provides a wide range of performance opportunities, culminating in an uplifting annual summer production.
Curiosity in science and global learning
Science is taught as three distinct subjects, with specialist teachers sparking curiosity through interactive lessons in biology, chemistry and physics in dedicated science labs. Pupils are encouraged to question, explore and develop a deep understanding of the world around them.
In mathematics, pupils learn essential principles combined with problem-solving and critical thinking, bringing the subject to life with real world stimuli.
Year 7 also study Global Dimension, which strengthens their understanding of global citizenship and their role in shaping a diverse, interconnected future.
Year 9 curriculum
Year 9 is a stimulating step up academically, with new choices, independence and further opportunities.
Year 10 and 11 curriculum
Focused pathways, expert teaching and strong support guide girls through GCSEs.
Sixth Form curriculum
Sixth Form life combines academic challenge, enrichment and futures support. In the Sixth Form students develop independent learning skills, learn about research and focus on their academic passions.
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.