St Columba's College
St Columba's College is an independent day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Since 1939, the school has provided a Catholic education of 'Head and Heart' helping pupils to 'understand and embrace our values of Courage, Courtesy and Compassion, which are the cornerstone of a Columban education.' In 2021, the school began a phased transition to co-education by first welcoming girls into Reception, followed by all year groups in Lower Prep and the Lower Sixth Form. From September, girls will be welcomed into Year 7.
Key facts
· St Columba's College is a day school.
· It is a pre-prep through to senior school and is for boys and girls (coeducational).
· The school welcomes boys and girls aged 4 to 18 years.
· St Columba's College has 700 to 1,000 pupils.
· The school is located in St Albans in Hertfordshire.
Why choose St Columba's College?
Headmaster David Buxton says: 'When students move on from St Columba's College, we aim for them to leave people and places better than they find them. The world needs leaders with virtues such as courage, courtesy and compassion, who can connect with people and who are able to respond wisely to the many complex challenges we face in an ever-changing society.'
'Our students are academically successful, intellectually curious and crucially, they are happy and empathetic. To this end, St Columba’s College provides a formation of 'head' and 'heart' for students from ages 4 to 18.'
Attain asked the school, what makes St Columba's College different – and why should parents consider it?
St Columba's College is the only co-educational independent school for ages 4 to 18 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. As an independent Catholic school conducted in the educational tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, a core value of St Columba's College is the formation of the whole person.
Whilst St Columba's is one of many schools in this tradition that operate in 30 countries across the globe, it is British in its educational structure, and we welcome and celebrate students of all faith traditions.
Throughout each phase of education, Prep, Senior and Sixth, we create a nurturing environment based on the key Columban qualities of courage, courtesy and compassion. Each pupil is challenged to achieve their own best academic standard, while becoming confident, resilient and compassionate individuals.
St Columba's is known for its strong community values. We work in partnership with parents to provide the supportive care and challenge that will enable our pupils to flourish.
Through a Columban education, our young people discover much about themselves and 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 Speaks to Heart'.
St Columba's College Videos
Governance, Inspections and the Head
When reviewing details about a particular school, prospective parents should always ensure they have looked at the governance details, reviewed recent inspections and read about the Head's vision for the school.
St Columba's College Fees
Leavers' Destinations from St Columba's College
When pupils leave St Columba's College, they go on to a number of senior schools including:
No leavers' destinations information is available.
Feeder Schools for St Columba's College
Pupils who attend St Columba's College have joined from a number of prep schools including:
No feeder prep school information is available.
St Columba's College Open Days
No forthcoming Open Day dates are available.
More about St Columba's College
St Columba's College's address is King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4AW. To discover more, visit the St Columba's College website and contact the Admissions Department to arrange a visit.
Next steps
If you think St Columba's College might be of interest to your child, visit the St Columba's College website and make contact with the Admissions Team to arrange a time to visit.