St Columba's College, St Albans
St Columba's College is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 19 in St Albans. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a non-routine inspection in January 2026.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Columba's College in detail
St Columba's College in its own words
In its own words: "Our story began more than 200 years ago, when André Coindre founded the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Lyon, France. His vision was simple but powerful: to care for and educate young people, particularly those in need of support and guidance. That mission soon spread across the world."
From the headteacher's welcome: "We welcome you most warmly to the Prep School, a unique and happy place to learn in the heart of St Albans. We are proud of our reputation for high academic achievement with first-rate pastoral care."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, dance and forest school.
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.
Coming up: an open day on Friday 27 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Hertfordshire
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for St Columba's College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to St Columba's College are St Albans School (0.6 miles); St Albans Independent College (0.8 miles, Good); St Albans High School for Girls (1.2 miles, selective); and Abbot's Hill School (4.1 miles).
St Albans SchoolSt Albans Independent CollegeSt Albans High School for GirlsAbbot's Hill School
Where pupils go next
Of the 82 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 85% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 1% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 373 pupils (45.4%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is St Albans Abbey Rail Station, about 570 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Columba's College (near), 110 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Columba's College stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 276 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Non-Routine Inspection
27 January 2026
Routine Inspection
29 April 2025
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
10 May 2022
Regulatory Compliance
13 December 2017
Integrated
25 November 2014
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for St Columba's College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby all-through schools
Latest from St Columba's College
St Columba’s College Announces Partnership with St Albans City FC
30 Sep 2026
St Albans Football Academy
25 Sep 2026
Pilates Class
25 Sep 2026
Pilates Class
25 Sep 2026
St Albans Football Academy - Reception Football Class
16 Sep 2026
Celebrating another year of incredible A Levels
13 Aug 2026
From St Columba's College's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with St Columba's College
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near St Columba's College.
- Code Ninjas at St Columba's CollegeAt the school · Not yet graded
- FizzBug Holiday Club @ Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre420m away · Not yet graded
- Vaks Ltd At Marlborough Science Academy530m away · Not yet graded
- Jousters at The Abbey720m away · Not yet graded
- Club Kidz Limited770m away · Not yet graded
- Fun Fest St Albans Abbey770m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 19
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 17 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
822 pupils
865 places
43 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - St Albans
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for St Albans
Across Hertfordshire council
Places available
15,222
Applications
13,456
Got 1st preference
77.5%
Got preferred school
94.9%
All secondary applications across Hertfordshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
373
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
45.4%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
822
Total Pupils
648
Boys
174
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
St Columba's College
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about St Columba's College
What are GCSE results like at St Columba's College?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for St Columba's College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was St Columba's College last inspected?
St Columba's College is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a non-routine inspection in January 2026.
How many pupils go to St Columba's College?
St Columba's College has around 822 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to St Columba's College?
St Columba's College is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does St Columba's College have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Code Ninjas at St Columba's College (registered, not yet graded). There are 5 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near St Columba's College?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 17 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Columba's College?
St Columba's College is at King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4AW.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)