St Columba’s College is located twenty-five miles from central London in the Cathedral City of St Albans, Hertfordshire. SCC is a thriving 4-18 Catholic, independent, coeducational day school comprising 800 pupils.
Originally founded in 1939, the school was re-established by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart (United States) in 1955. Its educational philosophy emanates from the traditions and religious values of the order. The College welcomes children and families of all faiths as well as those of no particular persuasion. The school prides itself on its family, community ethos, engaging with parents and pupils on a personal level, so they are known, treasured, and valued. It is a welcoming, dynamic, forward thinking school. Formation of the whole person is at the root of its educational ethos and mission.
Columba’s is an academic and aspirational school with a mixed ability intake devoted to scholarship and the holistic development of each individual child. Its pastoral provision is exemplary. Academically, the College has exceptional value-added results, with pupils largely performing beyond their predicted grades particularly at GCSE. The College challenges students to be the best they can be in intellectual achievement and their person and character. It has just undergone an ISI Inspection, in May 2022, and judged in every respect as excellent. “Quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent” ISI Report
Whilst confident that this will continue to be the case, the College is now embarking on a significant teaching and learning development in the phased introduction over two years of 1:1 devices using surface pro laptops to be completed for September 2023. The College is transitioning from an all-boys establishment to one that is coeducational, and currently has girls in the Prep school, a small number in Form 1 (yr7) in the senior and with a significant cohort in Lower and Upper 6th. Our hope is that those who enter the College will remain with us until 18.
We aim to provide an educational environment which will motivate and captivate students so that they develop a love of learning and enquiry, becoming truly independent learners who take control of their educational pathways. “Pupils have strong study skills and demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning.” ISI Report
Individuals are encouraged to regard challenge as healthy and something to manage and control rather than something to prevent growth. The development of a strong moral compass is also a significant priority as part of the holistic education. Individuals develop a “strong understanding of right and wrong… develop a deep moral compass” ISI Report
The College’s atmosphere, in which healthy relationships are based on respect and the three Cs of Courage, Courtesy and Compassion, is underpinned by the belief that if children are happy then they will be successful. They are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them, directed to engage in activities and interests to extend their experiences and skills within and beyond the curriculum.
This diet is wide and engaging whether immersed in academic research, participating in charitable activities, supporting local community and international initiatives, acting, playing music in various ensembles and choral activities, involvement in the multitude of clubs and societies, or by engaging in the wide range of sporting activities, our children are challenged to extend themselves and learn by experiencing the breadth of in school life. Every individual is required to contribute to this vibrant community in action and spirit.
Columba’s believes in traditional values, underpinned by its religious roots of Catholicism. It is determined to be forward looking and engaging to the 21st Century parent and pupil. We have a diverse intake of pupils of mixed ability, valuing pupils and staff, of differing race, sexualities, religious persuasion, gender, learning needs and academic strengths. One of the core strands of the success of the College is that of community, and unity, irrespective of individual uniqueness whilst respecting those characteristics and talents that make us different. Students develop a “deep spiritual understanding and a profound appreciation of non-materialistic aspects of life.” ISI Report
Columba’s values inclusion because of the benefits of roundedness that this can bring to an individual’s life. In this way we develop individuals who are confident but never arrogant about themselves and their life chances. “Students develop notably strong levels of self-belief and esteem.” ISI Report
The College stands in its own grounds overlooking the picturesque St Albans Abbey. In recent years, extensive improvements have been made to include a state of the art Science Centre, English suite, Music and Drama facilities, a spacious and bright Art Department and a complete modernisation of the Sixth Form Centre. The Prep has upgraded the Science and Laboratory provision, the soft-play and playground and reconfigured and upgraded teaching classrooms to enhance the learning environment. Improvement to the sports facilities continues with A Multi Use Grass area (MUGA), an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and seeded grass pitch which came into play in April 2023.
Entry. St Columba’s College admits pupils from 4–18, and there are currently 800 students in the Prep and Senior School. Whilst the main entry point for the Prep tends to be Reception, we welcome applications throughout the year, places gained being dependent on assessment and suitability. The main entry point for the Senior school is September at 11+, by entrance test and interview, with a smaller group being offered entry at 13+. Internal and external entrants to 6th Form must have a minimum of six grades at 6 or above. Applications for places occasionally available in other year groups and times of year are welcome.
Scholarships. Academic and Music scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and Lower 6th. Drama and Sports Scholarships are also available at 13+ and Lower 6th. Means-tested Bursaries are offered at all levels of entry.
The Curriculum. The Prep school follows a framework designed to implement future world skills via the Prep School Baccalaureate (learning skills trust). The Prep offers a broad curriculum providing Subject Specialism in Sport, Music, Science, Languages, ADT, Computing, and Life Skills alongside excellence in core subjects. In the senior school the curriculum is kept as broad as possible up to GCSE, pupils usually taking 9 to subjects from the traditional range of Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Modern Foreign Languages and Science options. There are twenty-two A Level subjects currently on offer, and the Sixth Form is complemented by an enrichment course which prepares students for extra qualifications including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and Personal Finance. Oxbridge potentials are provided with support of their application by an individually tailored programme. Almost all of the Sixth Form students go on to universities including the Russell group, as well as Oxford and Cambridge, and diverse other institutions as individual choices are followed. High quality apprenticeships to prestigious companies are part of the career progression for a number.
Careers. The College has a qualified Head of Careers and Higher Education who works from a fully equipped Careers Centre using the latest technological software, search engines, and reference and application packages, to support students in discerning their career pathways. High-quality individual guidance is provided to ensure students make fully informed decisions about subject choices and university courses mindful of potential subsequent career options.
Pastoral Care. The Pastoral life and care of the students is a significant priority in ensuring that schooling is enjoyable. “Excellent personal development.” ISI Report. Prep school care is based around their class groups whilst a House system does operate for purposes of competition. In the Senior school, the six Houses operate vertically and continue to operate in the 6th Form where the team is augmented by the Head of 6th and two Deputies. The Houses and their teams are supported by a Ministry Team. Relations between the staff and parents are open – a strength of the College – they are in regular contact with each other in monitoring the progress of the students in seeking to nurture the academic and personal talents of each individual. The College operates an age specific tailored Pastoral Programme addressing social and moral issues as well as education on health and well-being, internet safety and respond dynamically to address contemporary issues.
Sporting Provision. All students participate, and the College has a strong sporting reputation. It seeks to offer the opportunity to participate in a wide range of disciplines, promotes competition, and actively encourages high performance both in individual and team sports. A rich variety is available at all levels, including Rugby, Hockey, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Cricket, Netball, Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, Dance and Golf. Facilities include a large gymnasium, a fully equipped fitness suite and all weather and grass pitches on site. The Sports Department makes extensive use of significant local facilities of soccer and rugby pitches, an athletics track, swimming pool and a golf course which are all immediately adjacent to the College site.
Extended and Extra-Curricular Activities. The College offers a wide variety of activities both at lunchtime and after school. These fall under the SHAPE (Service, House, Pastoral and Extra-curricular) portfolio of activities designed to engage and challenge all pupils into participation. These include clubs such as STEM, Maths Challenge, rugby, football, basketball, cricket and athletics, drama, art, chess, computing, Young Enterprise, Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many others, as well as a variety of academic and social clubs and charity work opportunities.
There are a number of music ensembles, including a choir, barbershop group, orchestra, flute quartet, jazz band and bell choir. Cultural, adventurous and sporting trips are part of this programme and there are strong associations and joint ventures with the Brothers schools in the United States to add to the international dimension of the opportunities. “Students participate with obvious enthusiasm in the broad extra-curricular programme” ISI Report
Charities & Service. Part of our ethos is a commitment to charitable giving and action. Central to this is educating the whole community to an appreciation of the differing social and economic circumstances in the world, and an engagement in the ways and means of supporting those in some way disadvantaged. Service opportunities are available at all ages and compassionate service is lived out according to the College motto of ‘Cor ad Cor Loquitur’ – heart speaking to heart. “Service is a key part of the school’s ethos” ISI Report
Preparatory School. The Preparatory School is on the same site as the Senior School and shares many of its facilities. The Prep has a strong family atmosphere, providing a secure and purposeful environment in which expectations are high. It admits students by assessment into the Lower Prep and Upper Prep. In their final year, most Preparatory School pupils are offered unconditional places at St Columba’s College Senior School, following recommendations by Prep School staff.
Alumni. St. Columba's College Alumni is an engaging, thriving and committed arm of the school which continues that familial engagement and strength of the College. It naturally welcomes former students, staff and governors to interact with its many social, community and networking events throughout the year. It also provides access to the College business directory to build a lifelong network of friendships and call upon Alumni members for career development. Alumni are active in charitable events, specialists talks to school members, Inspirational Days, work experience, apprenticeship placement and offer careers advice and mentoring amongst many other offerings.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School £6,446, Prep 4–6 £5,502, Prep 3 £4,998, Reception–Prep 2 £4,238.
Charitable status. St Columba’s College is a Registered Charity, number 1088480. It exists to provide a well-rounded Catholic education for pupils from 4–18 years of age.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mrs Barbara Elliot, MA Cantab (Acting Chair)
Mr Oli Adams, BA Hons
Mr Stephen Byrne
Br Ronald Hingle, SC, BS, MEd
Br Joseph Holthaus, MA
Mr Dominic] Keogh
Br Ivy LeBlanc, SC, BS, MEd, MPS
Ms Beth Sharpe
Mr Eugene Van Dijk
Bursar and Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Rachel McHattie, BA Hons, ACMA
Headmaster: Mr Karl Guest, MA
Deputy Head, DSL: Mrs K Marson, MA
Assistant Head (Director of Studies): Ms Lucy Cronin, MA
Assistant Head (Learning, Teaching & Professional Development): Mr Nick Hele, BA
Assistant Head (Student Formation): Mr J Tatham, BA
Head of Sixth Form: Mr D Waters, BA
Head of Prep: Mr Richard McCann, BA
Deputy Head of Prep: Mr K Boland, BA
Deputy Head of Prep and SENCo: Miss C Maton, BA
Administration:
Headmaster’s PA: Mrs N Ormondroyd
Head of Prep’s PA: Mrs E McConachie
Bursar’s PA: Mrs M Clinch
Admissions Registrar: Mrs R Wilson