St Mary’s Calne

Outstanding pastoral care
The school is known for its outstanding pastoral care and every girl is known
and cared for as an individual. Every girl has their own personal tutor to
support her through all aspects of school life – from organisational skills and
prep skills, to GCSE/ A Level subject choices and university applications – and
the tutor stays with them as they progress through the school. Uniquely,
girls at St Mary’s Calne learn and board as a year group, meaning their
House teams are specialists in that age range. The Lower School (Year 7 &
8) provides a two-year transition from prep or primary school into a senior
school environment offering a small, caring and nurturing surroundings with
large ambitions for all pupils. In the Sixth Form, the purpose-built centre,
bespoke lecture programme, careers advice and leadership roles, and much
more, prepare the girls for university and beyond.

Academic excellence
St Mary’s Calne is committed to providing an education that will challenge
and inspire its pupils, as well as helping them to achieve outstanding
examinations results. In The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools’ Guide
2023, St Mary’s Calne was ranked 1st independent school in Wiltshire and
3rd in the South West. St Mary’s Calne was also the first independent school
in the UK to be awarded the Platinum Science Mark Award and is on the
journey to achieving the Artsmark.

Beyond the classroom
Life at St Mary’s is about much more than what goes on in the classroom, and
the true ‘added value’ comes in the wide range of co-curricular activities and
opportunities available in the evenings and at weekends. The girls love Music;
almost 80% of students play musical instruments, play in ensembles and
offer the school ofers a diverse range of performance opportunities. In Drama,
productions are held in the school theatre and are of the highest standard. In
Year 9, students perform at a professional theatre and senior students perform
annually at the Edinburgh Fringe. Art enjoys a high profile, with pupils’ work
exhibited throughout the school. On a triennial cycle, senior girls can take part
in an international trip and exhibit work in the school’s own London-based art
exhibition. Girls have won numerous awards for their work and exhibited with the
Royal Academy of Arts, SPoKE and Young Art, London.

Sport plays an important part in school life and all the students are encouraged
to participate, whatever their ability. Several girls represent the county in
Lacrosse, Athletics and Swimming, and many have gone through county
development for Netball and Hockey. Girls have represented England, Ireland
and Wales in Lacrosse, trained for GB Eventing Teams and competed in the
English Nationals for Swimming. The Tennis Academy gives over 280 individual
lessons every week and was a National Finalist in the LTA’s prestigious ‘School of
the Year’ Awards in 2021. Many pupils complete the Tennis Leaders course as part
of their DofE commitment. In addition, a huge range of co-curricular sports, such
as ski racing, climbing, badminton and ultimate frisbee are available.

Location
Less than two hours west of London. Escorted travel to and from Chieveley,
Reading, London and airports for all holidays and exeats.

“Pupils are well-rounded, articulate and selfconfident young people who leave the school able
to face the future with confidence.” – ISI Inspection

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARY AWARDS At 11+ Scholarships available • Academic • Art • Drama • Music • Sport Candidates shortlisted at Entrance Day for the Academic Scholarship will sit papers in English, Mathematics and Science in the January of the year of entry. These examinations are sat at St Mary’s Calne. The Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarship Auditions and Assessments take place in the second half of the Autumn Term of Year 6 and are conditional on good performance at either Common Entrance or St Mary’s own entrance examination in January. Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarship candidates may alternatively choose to sit the Academic Scholarship papers if they wish to be considered for an Academic Scholarship as well. In addition to the full Academic Scholarships, Academic Exhibitions may be offered to candidates showing outstanding ability in a single subject. For more information on these scholarships, please contact the Admissions Department. At 13+ Scholarships available • Academic • Bodinnar All-Rounder • Art • Choral • Drama • Music • Sport Candidates shortlisted at Entrance Day for the Academic Scholarship will need to be registered with the ISEB by St Mary’s Calne and will sit the Common Academic Scholarship Examinations (CASE) in February of the year of entry. The ‘Bodinnar’ All-Rounder Scholarship will be awarded to a girl who excels both academically and in two or more disciplines selected from Art, Drama, Music and Sport. The ISEB Common Academic Scholarship papers will be sat and candidates will need to be registered with the ISEB. The Assessment Day for Art, Choral, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships takes place in the February of the year of entry and scholarships will be offered by the end of the Spring Term. All Art, Choral, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships are conditional on good performance in either Common Entrance in June or St Mary’s own entrance examination in January. Art, Choral, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarship candidates may alternatively choose to sit the ISEB Common Academic Scholarship papers if they also wish to be considered for an Academic Scholarship. In addition to the full Academic Scholarships, Academic Exhibitions may be offered to candidates showing outstanding ability in a single subject. For more information on these scholarships, please contact the Admissions Department. Value of Awards Academic Scholarships are worth up to 40% of a scholar’s boarding or day fees, as applicable. Awards are granted solely on merit as the result of a competitive examination. To be able to allocate funds to those girls who would most benefit from them financially, only a proportion of the percentage offered - 5% - is awarded automatically. The remaining 35% - or a proportion thereof – is allocated, subject to a means test, at the Governors’ discretion. This process remains entirely confidential and parents may request the relevant forms when the scholarship has been awarded. Academic Exhibitions may be worth up to 10% of a scholar’s boarding or day fees. Only 5% will be awarded automatically, the remainder being subject to a means test at the Governors’ discretion. Music Scholars will be offered free tuition in two instruments; Choral Scholars will be offered free vocal tuition. Art, Drama and Sports Scholarships are honorary awards, for which the recipient will receive £1000 per annum. All awards are retained to the end of Sixth Form and are reviewed at regular intervals. Candidates who are successful in gaining an award, but require greater remission in fees in order to be able to take up their place may apply for a means-tested Bursary. Forms are available from the Admissions Department and should be returned to the Bursar. Sixth Form Two internal Academic Scholarships will be awarded to current pupils in their final GCSE year at St Mary’s for the duration of the Sixth Form. In addition, one Academic Scholarship may be awarded to an internal or an external candidate. Scholarships for Art, Drama, Music and Sport may be awarded to an internal or an external candidate for the duration of the Sixth Form. Girls accepting one of these awards are expected to take the subject to A2 Level. In addition to the full Academic Scholarships, up to two Exhibitions will be offered to internal or external candidates. Academic Scholarships are worth up to 40% of a scholar’s boarding or day fees, as applicable. Awards are granted solely on merit as the result of a competitive examination. To be able to allocate funds to those girls who would most benefit from them financially, only a proportion of the percentage offered - 5% - is awarded automatically. The remaining 35% - or a proportion thereof – is allocated, subject to a means test, at the Governors’ discretion. This process remains entirely confidential and parents may request the relevant forms at the time of the scholarship award. Academic Exhibitions may be worth up to 10% of a scholar’s boarding or day fees. Only 5% will be awarded automatically, the remainder being subject to a means test at the Governors’ discretion. Art, Drama and Sports Scholarships are honorary awards, for which the recipient will receive £1000 per annum. Music Scholars will be offered free tuition in two instruments. Foundation Scholarships One Foundation Scholarship is available annually at 11+ and one at Sixth Form to particularly gifted and talented pupils from the state education sector who, for reasons of financial restriction, might otherwise be prevented from applying to the school. All Foundation Scholarships are retained to the end of the Sixth Form. The Scholarships are means-tested and could reduce the fees by up to 100%. At 11+, the Scholarships are granted solely on merit as the result of competitive examination and require the support of a their Head Teacher.  At Sixth Form, Scholarships are made subject to academic record, interview, reference and personal statements. Although they are not exam based, work relevant to the A Levels you to wish to study must be submitted with the application form. Sixth Form Adelman Foundation Scholarships Financial awards are also available from the Adelman Foundation to assist particularly bright young women from the state sector who might not otherwise be able to afford the fees. Consideration will go particularly, but not exclusively, to girls whose parents have not themselves been to university or higher education, but who strive for this for their daughters. All Foundation Scholarships share the same application process. Applicants should register interest in the Scholarships in September of the year preceding entry. CGA Bursaries Bursaries from the Calne Girls' Association Bursary Fund may be available. This fund was set up to provide a means-tested bursary or bursaries for the daughters of former pupils wishing to enter the school. Once awarded, bursaries are usually paid termly, and reviewed annually to confirm that the parents' financial situation is unchanged. HM Forces Discount Members of the permanent Armed Forces (or reservists on full-time duties, for the duration of those duties) a means-tested discount up to 20% is offered. Please contact the Admissions Department for more information.