who we are
A warm welcome from our Head,
Mrs Anne Wakefield
Mrs Anne Wakefield has been Head of St Mary’s and St Margaret’s Calne since 2024. A girls’ education specialist, Mrs Wakefield has worked in a number of leading schools including Benenden and Queenswood.
‘At St Mary’s Calne, we believe that education should be both ambitious and deeply personal. It is a journey of discovery where every girl is supported to become her most confident, capable and curious self. I am proud to lead a school where academic excellence and personal growth go hand-in-hand.
We are ambitious for every pupil, not only in what she can achieve, but in who she can become. This belief in individual potential inspires every pupil to ask bold questions, embrace challenges and engage fully in a learning environment that is intellectually rigorous and deeply supportive. Our Calne Culture – Be Bold, Be Kind and Be You – sits at the heart of school life at both St Mary’s and our Prep School St Margaret’s, shaping how we live our lives every day. Established in 1873 by Canon John Duncan, St Mary’s Calne continues to be guided by our Church of England foundation.
Our inspirational teachers bring passion and expertise to every lesson, and our diverse co-curricular programme offers students valuable opportunities to discover new talents, pursue passions and find joy in stretching their potential beyond the curriculum.
What sets us apart, is our ability to balance high expectations with wholehearted care. Every girl is known here, not just for her achievements, but for her unique individuality and contribution. We are a supportive and inclusive community where our Calne Values of curiosity, compassion and courage are woven into the fabric of daily life. These values are not just words on a wall; they guide how we learn, how we lead and how we support one another.
Year after year, our pupils make excellent progress and achieve outstanding academic results supported by a personalised academic programme and a community that believes in their ability to excel. We are proud that our students leave us to join top universities and thrive in exciting careers, but just as importantly, they leave us as thoughtful, confident and grounded young women, ready to make their mark on the world and embrace their future.
We often say that at St Mary’s, “You can at Calne”. And our pupils do – every day.
As one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK, we are experts in teaching girls. We are ambitious for our pupils and our school. We recently celebrated our 150th anniversary and, as we plan ahead as a school with no debt and modern buildings on our 27-acre campus, families can be reassured that school fees go towards providing an outstanding and life-enhancing education for their daughter.
I warmly invite you to visit us and experience the strength, spirit and joy of our school for yourself. You will find a community that will welcome your daughter for who she is and help her to become everything she is meant to be.’
Mrs Anne Wakefield
Head, St Mary’s Calne
ST MARY’S CALNE BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL
Start your journey
At St Mary’s Calne, every girl 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.