INTRODUCTION:

Founded by Abbot Wulsin in 948, St. Albans School is a coeducational day school in Hertfordshire that serves boys in grades 11 through 18. The St. Albans Abbey Church and Cathedral are deeply connected to the school. It has changed through time while maintaining its ties to the Abbey. With courses ranging from science and technology to design and languages, the curriculum aims to spark students' interest and help them become self-assured members of the intellectually stimulating school community. Sports, theatre, and dance are just a few of the many activities available through the co-curricular program. Recognized for its state-of-the-art amenities, including a 25-meter swimming pool, St. Albans School is a popular option for pupils in the vicinity.

The pastoral care program at St. Albans School is highly valued, and parents and staff work together to provide thoughtful, compassionate support for each student. A key factor in the school's success is its dedication to creating a friendly competitive culture that strikes a balance between ambition and companionship. This culture instills high expectations for behavior and academic performance in all facets of school life. With 81% of grades lying within the remarkable 9–7 range, the school's latest exam record demonstrates its dedication to academic success. With its distinctive approach to education, St. Albans School distinguishes itself by creating well-rounded, accomplished people by fusing tradition, cutting-edge facilities, and a caring community.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

It is recommended that you visit St. Albans before registering your boy, as the school hosts four Open Mornings each year. Booking as far ahead of time as possible is advised because spaces are frequently oversubscribed.

Oversubscription Criteria:

• Looked after and previously looked after children, particularly those who have received Roman Catholic baptism.
• Baptized Roman Catholic children in a Roman Catholic Primary School.
•  Baptized Roman Catholic children not in a Roman Catholic Primary School.
• Non-baptized children attending a Roman Catholic Primary School.
• Children in Church in Wales schools with support from a Christian Minister or Head Teacher.
• Those seeking Faith-based education with support from a Christian Minister.
• Children of other faiths seeking Faith-based education with baptism/dedication and support from their Faith Leader.
• Children of other faiths seeking Faith-based education with support from their Faith Leader.
• Children seeking Faith-based education at their parents' request.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

You must register your son by the deadline in November of the year before arrival for him to be considered for a spot in St. Albans' Year 7. This can be accomplished by depositing the non-refundable registration cost and filling out an online registration form.

The St Albans selection procedure consists of two parts: a customized online test for 11+ admissions is required of all applicants, and this will be followed by an interview by a senior staff member. A spot in February may be offered to boys who do well on the exam and in the interview.

CATCHMENT AREA:

There is no defined catchment area.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES:

Means-tested bursaries covering up to 100% of the fees are available in a restricted quantity. This allows students from a variety of backgrounds to have access to the school's education. Please be aware that families are normally deemed ineligible if their annual gross income is more than £85,000.

Academic scholarships are given to all 11+ applicants automatically and are determined by the outcomes of the admission exams. Candidates who score at the Grade 5 standard or higher are eligible for music scholarships, which are also awarded (for greater amounts).

EXAM FORMAT:

A customized online test with the following elements makes up the St Albans 11+ entrance exam:

Part 1: Based on the students' responses, this section of the online test adjusts the level of difficulty of the questions. It evaluates Verbal and Nonverbal Reasoning, Math, and English skills.

•  The Mathematics questions assess knowledge in topics like calculation and understanding and some of them include graphs or charts.
•  The English portions comprise multiple-choice questions designed to assess the candidates' knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and reading comprehension. The Verbal Reasoning portions evaluate contextual comprehension and vocabulary.
• The assessment of Non-Verbal Reasoning comprises multiple-choice questions on 2D Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning, which gauge the student's ability to reason using forms, spaces, diagrams, and images.

Part 2: This portion of the online exam consists of questions with a predetermined level of difficulty that is broken down into the following components:

•  Interactive puzzles precede a question that needs a written answer in the Puzzles & Problem Solving module. Multiple-choice questions will also be included in the module.
• A variety of elements, including texts, maps, diagrams, timetables, and charts, are the basis of multiple-choice questions in the Creative Comprehension module.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

Making use of practice exams is a very successful tactic for getting ready for difficult entrance exams. These assessments function as useful tools, helping students improve their time management skills while becoming familiar with the format and range of questions they may encounter on the real test. The St Albans School mock tests are a great study tool and are available for instant download upon purchase. These assessments cover every essential skill, allowing students to identify any points of weakness that need more work before the test.

Students who regularly achieve a score of 75% or above on our 11+ practice exams should be prepared to pass the 11+ exam at St Albans School. This has historically been a pretty good indication that your child should perform highly in the St. Albans School 11+ exam, however, there are no promises. 

Summary:

Name: St. Albans School

School Type: Boys’ independent day school

School Website: https://www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk/

County: Hertfordshire

Address:  Abbey Gateway, St. Albans, AL3 4HB

Email:  admissions@st-albans.herts.sch.uk

Phone: 01727 515182

Number of Places Available: (Unknown)

11+ Exam Date: January of Year 6

Exam Format: School’s own

This information was last updated in December 2024.