Case study: St Mary's Calne
Strategic alumnae research
Many girls’ school alumnae associations struggle to have the same impact as their boys’ or co-educational counterparts. St Mary’s Calne, a girls’ boarding and day school for 11-18 year olds, approached us to look at how their alumnae association, Calne Girls Association, could ensure they had a relevant and impactful offering for old girls and to investigate ways in which to increase support for the school.
Alumnae relations activities were felt to be good but with room for improvement. With lower-than-expected levels of historical philanthropic support and engagement from Calne Girls, and with the school’s 150th anniversary being celebrated in 2023, it was the perfect opportunity to seek the views of alumnae on a range of issues, including:
- future strategic direction for development activities
- next steps relating to alumnae relations and fundraising
- levels of interest and support for their 150th anniversary