St Columba's College A GSG School
- St Columba's College
King Harry Lane
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL3 4AW - Head: Mr Karl Guest
- T 01727 855185
- F 01727 892 024
- E admissions@stcolumbascollege.org
- W www.stcolumbascollege.org/
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 4 to 18.
- Read about the best schools in Hertfordshire
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Hertfordshire
- Pupils: 826; sixth formers: 161
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Fees: £16,830 - £25,570 pa (last updated on 16/01/2025)
- Open days: Sixth Form Open Evening: 9th November
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
No pupil mould, though perhaps not the best place for the single-minded scholar or more alpha types. Those we met were charming and without a smidgeon of arrogance. More mixed ability than the local powerhouses such as St Albans School, St Albans High School for Girls, Habs, Merchant Taylors’ etc – making the results all the more impressive. But while for some parents, this is the obvious backup, for others it’s a clear first choice – including some parents of high-flyers. Socially softer than some city-based schools, but by no means a backwater feel. Lovely cross-year friendships – so nice to see older pupils high-five younger ones and ask about their day. Those who...
What the school says...
At St Columba's we provide a broad, high quality education and have students in the College from a wide variety of religious traditions. We aim for each student to achieve their own best standard. At each phase of education, Prep and Senior, we nurture the key Columban qualities of courage, courtesy and compassion. We strive for academic excellence whilst realising that it is whole person education that best prepares students for the world and workplace of tomorrow. As a school under the trusteeship of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, we recognise that moral and spiritual qualities are equally important in that roundness of character.
St Columba's is known for its strong community values. We work in close partnership with parents to provide the supportive care and challenge for our students which enables them to flourish. Through a Columban education your child will discover much about themselves and also about the contribution they can make to society at large. This quality of compassionate service is borne out in the College motto of Cor ad Cor Loquitur -- heart speaking to heart.
Our community is vibrant and our students are the best evidence of what a Columban education can produce. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Fencing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2023, Karl Guest. Born and bred south Londoner (home is still Crystal Palace, where he heads at weekends), he was educated by the De La Salle Brothers and ‘always wanted to teach’. Degree in theology, master’s in philosophy and Old Testament theology and PGCE all from St Mary’s University, Twickenham – ‘They pretty much had to kick me out!’ After more than a decade working in both state and independent schools, including in Australia, he spent seven years as deputy head of Sydenham and Sutton High Schools (both GDST) before taking up his first headship at Alton School in 2020.
Upbeat, mild-mannered and not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, parents feel he’s an excellent fit for a school long known for its pastoral emphasis and family...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
In the Senior School, we are committed to the development of the whole person in keeping with our inclusive and supportive ethos. All students on the SEND register have an individualised programme of support with their IEPs reviewed every half term. We work closely with parents and also outside agencies where relevant so that all students can thrive and make progress as valuable contributors to our community. All lessons throughout the College are differentiated to cater for different levels of need; we pride ourselves on knowing our students and helping them to maximise progress whatever their starting point. This is also done through our extensive pastoral programme and tutor support. Interventions for students with SEND may include one-to-one support sessions with our SENCO, small group or in-lesson support with our team of LSAs, mentoring and ‘buddying’ from older students and opportunities to attend individual subject-based study sessions.
| 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 |
Y |
| 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 |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
Y |
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldwickbury School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Heath Mount School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 All-Round |
| Keble Prep School | 2024 | 6 | ||
| Lochinver House School | 2024 | 2 | ||
| St John's School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Westbrook Hay Prep School | 2024 | 3 |
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