St Mary’s Calne Review
An Exceptional All-Girls Boarding School
Overview of the School
Founded in 1873, St Mary’s Calne is one of the UK’s leading independent all-girls boarding schools. Located in a small town within picturesque Wiltshire countryside, it combines a long tradition of academic excellence with a progressive, nurturing approach to education. The school is relatively small by UK standards (around 350 pupils, with most boarding), which creates a close-knit community where every girl is known and supported.
Academic Strengths
St Mary’s has an outstanding reputation for academic results. It regularly achieves top grades at both GCSE and A-Level, and its leavers progress to leading universities in the UK, US, and worldwide. The school is particularly strong in the sciences and humanities, while also offering excellent creative and performing arts programmes. Importantly for international families, the school has experience supporting students for whom English is an additional language, with structured support where needed.
Pastoral Care and Community
What sets St Mary’s apart is its pastoral strength. Boarding life is warm, inclusive, and well-organised. The size of the school means girls quickly feel at home, and the house system creates a strong sense of belonging. Staff know their pupils individually and provide careful guidance not only academically but also socially and emotionally. For many international families, this reassurance is especially valuable when sending daughters overseas for their education.
Co-Curricular Life
Life at St Mary’s is rich and varied. The school offers a wide range of sports, from traditional hockey and lacrosse to individual pursuits such as equestrianism and tennis. Music, drama, and art thrive here, and many students pursue creative passions alongside academic studies. Opportunities for leadership, charity work, and international trips further broaden the girls’ horizons.
Why We Recommend St Mary’s Calne for Our Students
We particularly like St Mary’s for our students because of its balance of academic ambition and supportive atmosphere. Some top UK girls’ schools can feel highly competitive; St Mary’s, while academically excellent, manages to combine ambition with kindness. Girls here grow in confidence, independence, and resilience, but also remain grounded and happy.
Parents can also take comfort from the school’s secure location in a safe market town, with easy transport links to London and Heathrow. The school’s ethos - cultivating curious, confident, and compassionate young women - aligns closely with what many of our families value in an overseas education.
Final Thoughts
St Mary’s Calne is a school where bright, motivated girls can truly flourish. Its strong academics, outstanding pastoral care, and well-rounded opportunities make it a first-rate choice for international families. For international students in particular, we believe it offers an ideal balance of challenge and support, helping them grow into confident global citizens.