Independent Secondary Schools Admissions Guide – St Mary’s Calne

January 21, 2022

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St Mary’s Calne is an independent boarding school for girls aged 11-18. St Mary’s is based near Chippenham in Wiltshire on a 25-acre campus. There are approximately 360 pupils currently attending the school of whom around 80% are full boarders and 20% are day pupils. St Mary’s Calne accepts pupils at 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Year 12). Around 35 Girls join in Year 7 and 20-25 join in Year 9.

Visit St Mary’s Calne:

St Mary’s Calne hosts four Open Days in the year which take place on Sunday mornings. These Open Days give families the opportunity to meet staff and students as well as tour the grounds.

Admissions:

Year 7 (11+) and Year 9 (13+) Entry:

Parents may register their daughter at any time prior to 11+ or 13+, although early registration is advised due to the popularity of places. Parents usually register interest around 3-4 years ahead of entry for 11+ girls and 5 years prior to entry for 13+ girls.

Girls who have reserved their places will then be invited to a Taster Day at St Mary’s Calne which is an informal event where girls get to know each other and take part in a host of activities around the school. The Taster Day takes place in the summer term of Year 5 for 11+ girls and summer term of Year 6 for 13+ girls.

Following the Taster Day, girls are then invited back to St Mary’s Calne for Pre-Assessment the following September. St Mary’s will also ask for a reference from students’ current prep school.

11+ Girls will sit the CEM Select assessment which consists of Verbal, Non-Verbal and Numerical Reasoning. While it is difficult to prepare for these tests, familiarisation with the types of questions asked in the test can go a long way in increasing confidence. Skills such as Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning can also be practiced, and improvement is possible. This something which, if required, Kings Tutors can support.

After this stage, Pre-Assessment places will be offered. Girls that show exceptional performance will then be invited to take the scholarship exams at a later date. Places are offered subject to satisfactory performance at examination, whether that be the 11+ or the 13+ exams.

Year 12 (16+) Entry:

Parents usually enquire, register, and visit 2 years ahead of entry.

Registration is followed by Entrance Day, which usually around the middle of November a year prior to arrival. Candidates are invited to St Mary’s Calne for a series of assessments and interviews. Scholarship examinations for those wishing to apply also happen at this time. After Entrance Day firm places will be offered, subject to a suitable school report and good prediction of exam results.

For more information visit: https://www.stmaryscalne.org/index.php/admissions