who we are
BOARDING LIFE
Boarding at St Mary’s Calne is so much more than a place where pupils live. Boarding at Calne is a community built on care, opportunity and shared experiences, specially designed around our unique horizontal boarding houses, where pupils live with others of the same age.
Be Bold, Be Kind and Be You at our full boarding school for girls
Boarding life
Friendship, community and care
Our unique horizontal boarding system, where girls of the same age live together, creates a special sense of togetherness. Our Year 7 and 8 pupils board together in the Lower School and from Year 9 onwards live in one of our year-group Houses, moving up together each year.
As one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK, it’s a structure developed over many year that builds deep friendships and a strong sense of community.
boarding life
Day pupils
Around 20% of our pupils are day girls who fully immerse themselves in school life and enjoy all the opportunities St Mary’s Calne has to offer as a full boarding school. Day pupils are fully integrated into life in their Boarding House, often with a dedicated overnight space, making it easy and natural to stay in House on occasions.
Day pupils are encouraged to join after-school and weekend activities, with flexible arrangements for heading home. Like boarders, they are supported by a our warm and friendly House staff who take a central role in the pastoral care of each pupil.
boarding life
Expert care
Each House is led by boarding staff who specialise in supporting girls of their specific age group. With tailored care, shared experiences and a warm community, pupils feel understood, supported and empowered to grow.
Boarding at St Mary’s Calne fosters lifelong friendships, a deep sense of belonging and the support and confidence to embrace every opportunity.
boarding life
Companies’ spirit of teamwork and friendly competition
Every pupil is a member of one of five School Companies, named after local bishops. Remaining a member throughout her time at Calne, creating a lasting sense of identity and belonging.
The Company system brings together pupils across year groups for activities and competitions in school life including drama, music, public speaking and sport. It’s a chance to collaborate, showcase talents and share experiences with pupils from other years. With its blend of teamwork, camaraderie and friendly rivalry, the Company tradition helps pupils build connections, discover new strengths and contribute to a vibrant school community.
Boarding life
Weekends full of fun
Weekends at St Mary’s Calne are lively, varied and full of opportunities. Lessons are held on Saturday mornings, with sport fixtures in the afternoons. On Free Weekends, pupils may go home after Saturday commitments but most stay to be with their friends and enjoy weekend activities. Weekend outings include ice skating, bowling, go-karting, horse riding, theatre trips, cookery workshops, pamper evenings and cultural visits. At school, pupils enjoy activities from pottery and crafting to tennis and swimming as well as enjoying time with friends in their boarding house.
Pupils in older years enjoy socials with boys’ schools including Eton, Radley and Harrow.
Boarding from Year 5 and 6
Boarding in Years 5 and 6 offers girls aged 9 to 11 a gentle and enriching introduction to life at St Mary’s Calne while attending lessons at St Margaret’s Prep. It’s a carefully designed experience that combines exceptional teaching and facilities with warmth, care and a strong sense of community, helping younger pupils grow in confidence and independence.
boarding life
Partnership between school, parents and pupils
Pastoral care at St Mary’s Calne is a genuine partnership between school, parents and pupils ensuring every pupil feels known and supported. Each pupil is matched with a personal tutor, an academic member of staff who offers personal guidance and academic support. With a full-time Chaplain, in-house Counsellor and wellbeing team, pupils always have someone to turn to.
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.