Address: St Columba’s College, King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4AW
Website: stcolumbascollege.org/
Founded: 1939
Ages: 4-18
Pupils: 820 across prep, senior and sixth form
Termly Fees: From £5,722.80 (reception to prep 2) to £8,842.80 (senior & sixth form)
Head Teacher: Mr Karl Guest
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Entrance Procedure: Entry for all ages is by assessment
Contact: Prep school office: 01727 862616; Senior school office: 01727 855185. Email [email protected]
School Visits: Private tours available weekly
The Curriculum
Education at St Columba’s College is not about fitting young people into a mould, but rather about creating a new shape around each one of them and then celebrating what they become – in the school’s case, Columbans. And this means that staff recognise that they each succeed uniquely; that the school demands excellence from them but exclusively in relation to their personal journeys; that they are deeply known by the school community so it values and treasures the people they become: successful, resilient and kind – the result of true holistic education. St Columba’s’ academic results speak for themselves, but the school believes true success goes far beyond grades.
Games & The Arts
Sport is an integral part of school life at St Columba’s. Staff aim to foster an interest in physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, which in turn supports pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. Students are encouraged to get involved in a wide range of musical ensembles that cater for all abilities and tastes.
Pastoral Care
The school’s pastoral care inspires staff to see the best in every student and to be constantly available to meet their needs. In this, the school seeks to educate both head and heart. The pastoral programme is designed to develop students’ emotional intelligence, complementing their academic growth with the kind of personal growth that will enhance their lifelong happiness and effectiveness.
University Places
100 percent success rate for degree apprenticeship applicants. 78 percent secured places at Russell Group or top ten UK universities. Competitive sports scholarships achieved at US institutions. (2025)
Head Teacher’s Philosophy
St Columba’s College is a community where all our young people are known, valued and treasured. Our school prides itself on the value of its community, and an education where heart speaks to heart. To be a Columban is to be distinctive: academically ambitious and successful yet individually nurtured by an education that is highly holistic and underpinned by our religious values.
Outstanding Characteristics
St Columba’s College offers parents the opportunity to provide their children with a solid moral foundation within a nurturing environment. Young people from four years old are welcomed and developed through personal attention and a conviction that education is far more than teaching young people how to make a living – more about creating a life. With fantastic facilities and over 220 co-curricular activities to enjoy, this supports students’ growth and enables them to excel in their areas of passion.
