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St Albans, United Kingdom Day only · Co-ed Age range 419 830 pupils Founded 1939

St Columba's College

St Columba's College offers a nurturing environment where academic excellence and personal growth are prioritised. With a strong commitment to developing w...

Founded 1939 by the De La Salle Brothers — 87-year historyCo-educational ages 4-18 (Sixth Form co-ed 2014; full co-ed 2017)≈830 pupils with substantial sixth formSet on a 30-acre campus in St Albans, HertfordshireHMC and CISC memberSubstantial bursary programme via the De La Salle Trust

About St Columba's College

St Columba's College was founded in 1939 by the De La Salle Brothers — the Roman Catholic teaching order founded in France in 1680 by Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle — as a Catholic boys' day school in the cathedral city of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The school operated as a boys-only Catholic school for over seventy years before introducing a co-educational Sixth Form in 2014 and becoming fully co-educational in 2017. The school today educates around 830 pupils ages 4-18 across an integrated Prep, Junior and Senior School structure. The Headmaster is David Buxton.

The school is a member of the HMC and the CISC (Catholic Independent Schools Conference) and is inspected by the ISI. The school operates in close proximity to St Albans Cathedral and maintains its De La Salle Catholic foundation through the De La Salle Trust. The school's academic profile is strong mid-tier Catholic independent — solid A-Level results and a strong Oxbridge / Russell Group pipeline reflecting the substantial bursary programme. The school operates a substantial bursary programme via the De La Salle Trust, intended to provide educational access for Catholic and other families across Hertfordshire regardless of family means.

Programmes & strengths

TheologySciencesMathematicsModern languagesMusicSport (rugby, cricket)

University destinations

OxbridgeRussell Group (Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh)Pontifical universitiesMedical schools

Memberships & accreditations

HMCCISCDe La Salle BrothersISI

Pupil breakdown

Boys
702 (85%)
Girls
128 (15%)
SEN support
358 (43.1%)

Notable alumni

Old Columbans active in Catholic ministry, the professions and the arts

Address

King Harry Lane, St Albans, AL3 4AW

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Frequently asked questions

What type of school is St Columba's College?

St Columba's College is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 4 to 19, located near St Albans in Hertfordshire. The school offers education from Pre-Prep through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.

How do I apply to St Columba's College?

The admissions process usually starts well in advance of entry and may involve assessments and interviews. The school admissions timeline guide outlines key stages and deadlines. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/uk-private-school-admissions-timeline

What are the fees at St Columba's College?

Fees at St Columba's College are approximately £5,610–£8,523 per term, depending on the year group and whether pupils board. Families can learn more about UK private school fees and what is typically included. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/how-much-do-uk-private-schools-cost

Is St Columba's College a day or boarding school?

Pupils at St Columba's College can attend as day.

Is St Columba's College selective?

Admissions to St Columba's College may include assessments and interviews where applicable.

BestPeopleDo aggregates UK independent school data for parents researching options; we are not affiliated with this school. For admissions, fees and current vacancies, contact the school directly.