St Alban's R.C. High School, Torfaen

St Alban's R.C. High School is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 827 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

12% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (24% in 2020/21); 5% are learning English as an additional language; and 16% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 161 pupils (Year 8) to 172 (Year 9).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,504 per pupil, against £4,941 in 2021-22. It carried forward £81k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2023 inspection summarises St Alban's R.C. High School like this:

"Staff at St Alban’s R.C. High School are committed to providing pupils with the best possible education based on its values of ‘Respect, Responsibility and Resilience’ underpinned by the Catholic faith. The school creates an extremely caring and inclusive environment for its pupils. This is a particular strength and contributes positively to pupils’ well-being, behaviour and engagement in learning. There is a strong working relationship between pupils and teachers, which is based on mutual respect. Teachers’ enthusiasm for their subjects engages pupils in their learning and staff encourage pupils to set high aspirations for themselves. Most teachers have high expectations of what pupils can do and challenge them accordingly. As a result, pupils enjoy being at school and engage well with their learning."

"This helps many pupils to make good progress. Nearly all pupils understand the school’s expectations around behaviour and staff consistently and sensitively promote good behaviour. This contributes positively to the manner in which pupils conduct themselves. They display strong social skills and interact maturely with staff, their peers and visitors. They enjoy being in school and are satisfied with their learning. The school offers a balanced curriculum, which provides for the interests, needs and aspirations of nearly all pupils. It has established a clear vision for the development of Curriculum for Wales and pupils enjoy the new approach to teaching in Year 7 based on capturing pupils’ imagination and stimulating their curiosity. Planning for progress of pupils’ numeracy and literacy skills across the curriculum is developing well."

"The school provides an excellent range of enrichment activities that support the curriculum and develop pupils’ interests. Currently, the school does not provide enough opportunities for pupils to develop their Welsh language skills across the curriculum other than in Welsh lessons. The headteacher, supported by a strong leadership team, shares a clear vision of high ambition and success for all. Nearly all staff promote this vision and consistently reinforce the school’s values. This contributes strongly to an inclusive Catholic ethos that permeates school life. As a result, pupils enjoy school and are very proud to be part of the St Alban’s community. The school has developed strong relationships with a wide variety of partners to ensure the best possible support for pupils. However, the quality of the school accommodation is poor and in need of upgrading."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Increase the range of opportunities for pupils to practise their Welsh language skills; (2) Improve the condition of the buildings.

In its own words: "The Governors of St Alban’s offer 170 places each year. At St Alban’s RC High School, we genuinely understand the importance of the decision you are making in entrusting us with your child. We are a school which always works in partnership with you and your children, so that they feel happy, safe, and enjoy coming to school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At St Alban’s RC High School, we genuinely understand the importance of the decision you are making in entrusting us with your child. We are a school that works in partnership with you and your children, so that they feel happy, safe, and enjoy coming to school."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, cricket, athletics, drama, choir, orchestra, guitar and cooking.

Coming up: an admissions event on Thursday 1 July 2027 and an open evening on Wednesday 7 July 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The nearest other state secondary schools to St Alban's R.C. High School are West Monmouth Comprehensive School (0.4 miles), Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw (0.8 miles), Abersychan Comprehensive School (1.9 miles) and Croesyceiliog School (3.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Pontypool & New Inn Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Park Road (opp bank), 140 metres away.