St Albans School is among the most ancient educational foundations in the world and can trace its history back to its foundation in 948AD. It is a multi-dimensional institution: academic excellence, intellectual development and strong pastoral care lie at the core of an exceptional holistic education, enabling us to identify and nurture each pupil’s potential. Our fundamental and unremitting focus on our pupils’ wellbeing gives them the self-confidence and self-belief to do, and to give of, their best. Inspirational teaching ensures strong intellectual development whilst outstanding provision and achievements in the wider curriculum enrich each pupil’s experience. Our pupils develop important values, qualities and skills, as well as learning an awareness and understanding of the wider world as they determine the contribution they intend to make to it in their adult lives.

We believe that a good education comprises so much more than just academic work and intellectual development. Significant emphasis is placed on wellbeing and pastoral care (organised by section and year group): the warmth and friendliness of the School community is one of its great strengths and most distinctive features. The School’s vision is to help each pupil flourish intellectually and personally, developing self-knowledge and self-confidence in order to find meaning and purpose in life. 

The School has an excellent reputation for academic achievement yet we see examination results as means to an end rather than an end in themselves and the importance of the learning journey is prioritised. The focus of teaching and learning is to ensure pupils are educated in the fullest sense so that they may be productive in their communities in the spirit of the School motto (non nobis nati – born not for ourselves) and fulfil their potential. St Albans School pupils are holistic learners who take responsibility for their own education. We equip them, via our Learning to Learn (LTL) programme, with the theoretical, practical and creative skills to thrive in any environment, including in higher education and the workplace. Our teachers are subject specialists with a commitment to developing transferable skills as well as excellent subject knowledge; they are innovative and creative in their pedagogical approaches and have high expectations for their pupils. Support and training are provided by the Teaching and Learning Team who aim to develop and extend the professional community within and beyond the School.

The extensive co-curricular programme with over 200 clubs and activities plays a vital role in developing values, skills and qualities in preparation for adult life: drama, music, sport, CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme are all thriving as is our extensive partnership scheme with 16 local state-maintained schools.

The vast majority of our leavers are successful in securing places on competitive courses at Russell Group universities. The most popular destinations in recent years have been Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Warwick and York.

At the last ISI Inspection in 2022 the School received the highest possible inspection grading with ‘Excellent in all Areas’. The School also received a glowing review from The Good Schools Guide (February, 2024): "A school that does exactly what it says on the tin – brilliantly. Academics are a given – it’s the pastoral care, participative ethos and outstanding extracurricular offering that makes St Albans stand out."

The School is heavily oversubscribed at all levels of entry. The main ages of entry are ages 11 and 13 for boys, and girls and boys are admitted into the Sixth Form. Scholarships are offered at all ages of entry, and the School is able to provide assistance to some families, in cases of proven need, from its own bursary fund. Entry at 11+ and 13+ is by competitive examination and interview. Many 13+ joiners secure their place through 12+ assessments in the Summer Term of Year 7. Entry into the Sixth Form is by interview and conditional upon GCSE results.

St Albans is a beautiful Cathedral city, with a lively cultural life, surrounded by countryside but only 20 minutes from London by train, with easy access to motorways and airports.