Alumnae included Ida Margaret Graves Poore and Blanche Athena Clough.
Conscious that a degree course would be more difficult than the secondary education the students were used to, Metcalfe pushed for improved health care, defined tutorials and developing processes to assist the women facing the new challenge.
Both Metcalfe and her sister Anna sat on the Westfield council at various times, and the college was located a short distance from Highfield.
Metcalfe had poor health in later life but remained involved and active until she died on 30 May 1897 in Marylebone, London.
Alumnae from Highfield school set up a prize for medieval and modern languages in her memory.