St Albans School A GSG School

- St Albans School
Abbey Gateway
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL3 4HB - Head: Mr Joe Silvester
- T 01727 855521
- F 01727 843447
- E [email protected]
- W www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk/
- An independent school for boys aged from 11 to 19.
- Read about the best schools in Hertfordshire
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Hertfordshire
- Pupils: 922; sixth formers: 350 (71 girls)
- Religion: Christian Inter-denominational
- Fees: £28,146 pa (last updated on 13/01/2025)
- Open days: Three Open Mornings throughout the year. Two Sixth Form Open Evenings in the Autumn Term.
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Of the two summary words buzzing round our heads after our visit, extracurricular was buzziest (the other was pastoral, for the record, more of which later). We routinely visit schools with mind-blowing lists of clubs and societies but rarely have we been somewhere where the energetic engagement with – and participation in – said list is so palpable. ‘The opportunities are amazing!’ one pupil gushed, and we couldn’t disagree. Before we’d even signed in...
What the school says...
St Albans is a day school for academically able boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18. Founded in 948, its atmosphere and ethos derive from its long tradition and its geographical position near the historic centre of St Albans, in close proximity to the Abbey and overlooking the remains of Roman Verulamium.
Whilst maintaining very high standards of academic achievement, it offers wide opportunities for development in other fields: the School's sporting record is exceptional and Drama and Music are strengths, with a distinguished tradition in choral music. Emphasis is laid on the use of individual talents in the service of the community, through the Duke of Edinburgh's Scheme and such activities as Community Service; the Partnership Scheme with local primary schools and the flourishing CCF. ...Read more
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Sports
Shooting
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headteacher
Since September 2024, Joe Silvester, previously headmaster of Wetherby Senior School in London. Before that he was deputy head (academic) at Bancroft’s School and before that, assistant head at City of London School. He has experience as a governor and has worked in maintained and independent schools. Married with two young children, he's a keen touring cyclist and golfer in his spare time.
Entrance
Academically selective, although marginally less so than some of its competitors. Oversubscribed with approximately three applicants per place. Main entry points are 11+, 12+ and 13+ and boys can try at more than one of these if they are not quite ready on the first attempt. Admissions model is flexible to accommodate as many – or as few – boys that make the grade; school is able to expand to a seven-form...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
All our pupils are capable of coping with a rigorous academic education carried on at a rapid pace. A pupil with serious dyslexia or dyspraxia would struggle to cope. However, we recognise that even the ablest can experience specific difficulties that could prevent them achieving their fullest potential, and may therefore benefit from some learning support. All new entrants are screened for previously undetected dyslexia and monitoring continues throughout a pupil's career. Where a problem is suspected, a diagnostic assessment is offered, following which, an assessment by an independent Educational Psychologist may be recommended. Sometimes, an able pupil will have developed coping strategies which obscure a problem that comes to light only in later years as the demands of the work become more complex, and staff are trained to spot such emergent difficulties. Various levels of support are available, including one-to-one tuition with a specialist teacher who is freelance but spends all her time at the school. 09-09
Condition | Provision for in school |
---|---|
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
Y |
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
Y |
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
Y |
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
Y |
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
Y |
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Y |
Who came from where
School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aldwickbury School | 2024 | 13 | 4 | Scholarships: 2 Academic, 1 Music, 1 Sport |
Keble Prep School | 2024 | 1 | ||
Lochinver House School | 2024 | 12 | ||
Lockers Park School | 2024 | 2 | Scholarships: 1 sports and 1 art | |
Orley Farm School | 2024 | 7 | ||
Radlett Preparatory School | 2024 | 6 | 5 | |
St Martin's School | 2024 | 7 | ||
Westbrook Hay Prep School | 2024 | 3 | 2 | Academic Scholarships (2) |
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