St Albans School Prospectus

s t a l b a n s s c h o o l


Abbey GatewaySt AlbansHertfordshireAL3 4HB

Telephone:01727 855521

Facsimile:01727 843447

Email:[email protected]

www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

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StAlbansSchoolisacompanylimitedbyguaranteeRegisteredinEnglandNo4400125CharityNumber1092932

RegisteredOffice:AbbeyGateway,StAlbans,Hertfordshire,AL34HBA64734 St Albans Pros Cover:A14136 St Albans Cover 5/6/15 15:46

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Where we are...

A64734 St Albans Pros Cover:A14136 St Albans Cover 5/6/15 15:46

Our Miss ion

To provide an

excel lent

educat ion

whereby pupi ls

can achieve the

highest standard

of academic

success,

according to

abi l i ty, and

develop thei r

character and

personal i ty so as

to become

car ing and

sel f-d isc ip l ined

adults .

1

A school that is proud of its long and

distinguished history, yet one whose prime

focus is the needs of its students for the

world of the future; a school whose pupils

achieve outstanding examination results in

the most demanding academic subjects and

gain entry to the leading universities, yet

one that believes that a good education

comprises so much more than examination

grades – these are two of the hallmarks of

St Albans School.

There has been a school on the Abbey Gateway site

for more than 1000 years. Today, St Albans School is

one of the leading day schools in the country, a

centre of educational excellence occupying a

campus that has been transformed in recent years

by the building of the Sports Centre and the

acquisition of adjoining premises to house the Sixth

Form Centre and additional teaching

accommodation. Other exciting developments are

underway to enhance further our excellent academic

and extra-curricular facilities.

With just over 800 pupils, St Albans is not a

particularly large school, enabling each pupil to be

well-known and valued as an individual. Inspirational

teaching across the range of academic subjects

ensures students’ strong intellectual development.

Outstanding provision and achievements in the wider

curriculum enrich each pupil’s experience. St Albans

School is no one-dimensional academic hothouse, but

rather a multi-dimensional institution where

academic excellence lies at the core of an exceptional

holistic education. In this historic school at the heart

of a busy city, our pupils develop important values

and skills, as well as learning an awareness and

understanding of the wider world in which they will

soon be playing a leading role.

This prospectus can only serve as an initial

introduction to our world-class school. We hope that

it will entice you to come to see us on one of our

Open Mornings or for an individual visit – a very

warm welcome awaits you.

From the Headmaster

JONATHAN GILLESPIE

A64734 St Albans Prospectus:A14136 St Albans Pros/NEW SIZE 5/6/15 15:42 Page 1

I t s ancient

bui ld ings and its

proximity to the

Cathedral and

Abbey Church

reveal the

shared history of

the two

inst i tut ions,

which spans over

a thousand

years .

2

IntroductionIn the historic heart of St Albans, adjacent to the

Abbey, stands St Albans School. Its ancient buildings

and its proximity to the Cathedral and Abbey Church

reveal the shared history of the two institutions,

which spans over a thousand years. The School site,

overlooking Verulamium Park and Lake, is a blend of

ancient and modern, equipped throughout for 21st

century teaching and learning.

Twice weekly assemblies, the Carol Service at

Christmas and the Founders’ Commemoration Service

in the summer maintain the School’s close links with

the Abbey. Services are ecumenical in spirit, but we are

a multi-faith school and an alternative assembly takes

place for those of a different conviction or belief.

Formerly the Great Hall, the spacious and well-stocked

library is an important resource for independent and

guided research. Younger pupils have their own section

of the library, while there is an extensive reference

section for older pupils and a room equipped with

individual carrels for private study. A computer suite

with access to the internet complements the enormous

range of books, periodicals and newspapers.

A short distance from the School, amidst open

farmland, lie The Woollam Playing Fields and pavilion.

These outstanding sport facilities, the UK’s largest-ever

development of its kind, are a particular source of

pride and a wonderful resource for the major team

sports. The School site itself houses a well-appointed

gymnasium and fitness suite, together with tennis

courts, cricket nets and a shooting range, as well as a

large grass area for recreation.

The School attracts pupils from a wide radius and

provides several bus services in the mornings and after

school. Additional late bus services ensure that pupils

can attend practices and take full advantage of the

School’s facilities until 6pm.


Serv ices are

ecumenical in

spi r i t , but we

are a mult i-fa i th

school and an

alternat ive

assembly takes

place for those

of a di f ferent

convict ion

or bel ief .

3


CurriculumThe School’s mission is to help all our pupils fulfil their

potential by offering the widest possible range of

opportunities. The curriculum is subject to

constant review to keep abreast of

educational developments.

The first three years provide a sound basis

of learning in all subject areas, including a

course in ICT with strong cross-curricular

references. In the Fourth Form (Year 10),

whilst continuing to GCSE with the

essential core curriculum of English and

English Literature, Mathematics (taken at

the end of Year 10), the Sciences and a

Modern Language, pupils can select freely

from a range of modern and classical

languages, the humanities, technology and

the expressive arts.

The curr iculum

is subject to

constant rev iew

to keep abreast

of educat ional

developments .

4


All pupils follow a carefully planned PSE (Personal

and Social Education) programme and a course in

Religious Education.

In the Sixth Form, our students’ options are not

constrained by a predetermined curriculum; and we

take pains to try to ensure that each student’s

individual choices can be met, subject to guidance

to ensure a sensible programme of study.

We offer a wide range of subjects at both AS

and A2 levels. Lower Sixth students follow courses at

AS level in 4 subjects, together with an examined

programme of General Studies. In the

Upper Sixth, students usually opt to

continue with 3 of these subjects to

A2 level, although some may continue

with all 4, or take an additional subject

at AS level.

The School ’s

miss ion is to

help al l our

pupi ls fu l f i l

the i r potent ia l

by offer ing the

widest poss ib le

range of

opportunit ies .

5


Music & DramaMusical life at St Albans is vibrant; there are

many opportunities for pupils to play and perform.

The School Choir sings regularly in the

Abbey and pupils can join the Junior or

Senior Bands, a String Orchestra and

Chamber Orchestra, as well as a range

of smaller Chamber Music groups. These

include String Quartets, the Wind

Quintet, Brass Ensemble

and other instrumental ensembles,

among which the School Jazz Band,

Mainstream, has a proud tradition

of regular public performance.

There are evening concerts in the Library

for parents and friends each term, and

regular, less formal, lunchtime concerts.

One of the musical highlights of the

year is the annual Joint Schools Concert

in the Abbey, where we join forces with

St Albans High School for Girls.

Rock music too thrives at the School, the many

school bands contributing to an annual Rock Week as

well as other concerts. The Creative Composing

Competition is an annual event, as is the inter-House

music competition, combining high standards with

enthusiastic participation.

Musical l i fe at

St Albans is

v ibrant ;

there are

many

opportunit ies

for pupi ls to

play and

perform.

66


Pupi ls are ful ly

involved in al l

aspects of

product ion :

act ing , sound,

l ight ing , set

des ign , stage

management and

costume.

7

The superbly equipped theatre is the venue for a

hugely varied programme of productions, involving all

age groups and sometimes initiated and produced by

students. Ranging from Shakespeare to modern drama

and musicals, recent productions involving pupils

throughout the School, include King Lear, Twelfth

Night, Guys and Dolls and Oliver!, a dramatisation of

Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner and works by

Sherriff, Stoppard and Beckett.

Pupils are fully involved in all aspects of

production: acting, sound, lighting, set

design, stage management and costume.

The School boasts a fully equipped

studio, rehearsal space and a workshop

in the Drama department’s own building

opposite the School, as well as the main

theatre and an outdoor amphitheatre.

London’s West End is easily accessible and

Stratford is within comfortable driving

distance for frequent theatre visits.


We encourage

pupi ls to take

advantage of our

unique

surroundings,

especia l ly the

Abbey and the

nearby park and

lake , to sketch

and draw.

8

ArtThree large, bright and attractive purpose-built studios

offer facilities for painting, drawing, screen printing,

etching and graphic design. A fourth studio close by

provides opportunities for three-dimensional work and

houses an excellent Art Library.

We encourage pupils to take advantage of our unique

surroundings, especially the Abbey and the nearby park

and lake, to sketch and draw, under supervision,

outside the classroom. Many pupils continue their

work in Art club sessions after school.

Pupils’ artwork is widely displayed around the

School throughout the year and special exhibitions

are mounted of GCSE and A level work, as well as

that of our Art teachers, all of them talented

practising artists.

The extra-curricular programme includes day visits to

London and provincial galleries and longer cultural

trips to such destinations as Amsterdam, Paris

and Barcelona.


Three nat ive-

speaking fore ign

language

ass istants

provide pupi ls

with an

opportunity to

develop f luency

and exper ience

of language

learning in

pract ica l

s i tuat ions .

9

LanguagesPupils have the opportunity during their time at

St Albans to study French, German and Spanish.

The development of language skills is underpinned by

an understanding of grammar and structure.

The Languages faculty makes extensive

use of satellite TV, the internet and e-mail

links, as well as the more traditional

audio-visual material and 25-station

language laboratory. Three native-speaking

foreign language assistants provide pupils

with an opportunity to develop fluency

and experience of language learning in

practical situations. Sixth Form students

can undertake work experience in Europe.

The Classics Department offers the opportunity to

study not only the languages of Latin and Ancient

Greek, but also the development of Roman and

Greek civilisations, reinforced by a biennial trip to

Italy or Greece.


Our pupi ls have

an outstanding

record of

success in

nat ional

compet i t ion :

S ixth Formers

have won Young

Engineer of the

Year Awards and

Young Electronic

Des igner of the

Year Awards,

whi le younger

pupi ls have also

achieved success

in Technology

Chal lenges .

10

Science and TechnologyHoused in a purpose-built block, three Physics, four

Chemistry and four Biology laboratories provide our

pupils with highly-resourced opportunities to develop

a full range of scientific skills. Extra-curricular clubs,

lectures, demonstrations by guest speakers and visits

to museums enhance the opportunities for pupils to

develop their scientific understanding. Sixth Formers

are able to attend lectures at London’s foremost

scientific institutions.

The Science laboratories connect with the Technology

suite, where two Technology labs, two workshops, a

Graphics studio and a Computer room provide facilities

for the study of Electronics, Pneumatics, Metallurgy

and Hydraulics. This is in addition to

Resistant Materials work and

Graphic Design, for which CAD/CAM

equipment is also available.

Our pupils have an outstanding record of

success in national competition: Sixth

Formers have won Young Engineer of the

Year Awards and Young Electronic

Designer of the Year Awards, while

younger pupils have also achieved success in

Technology Challenges.


Pupi ls are

taught to apply

what they have

learnt and to

develop thei r

sk i l l s further by

us ing ICT across

a var iety of

subjects and

contexts .

11

ICTThe School has three dedicated ICT resource areas, a

number of smaller clusters and many individual

stations spread through departmental and

administrative areas. All computers are linked on the

school-wide network, which has several servers and

around 200 workstations, including both Windows

and Apple computers.

Our pupils have access to a wide variety of both

general and subject-specific software. Basic skills in

ICT are developed through a foundation course in the

first and second forms (Years 7 and 8). Access to ICT

resources is available outside lesson time and after

school. Pupils are taught to apply what

they have learnt and to develop their

skills further by using ICT across a variety

of subjects and contexts.

Broadband connection to the Internet

gives fast and reliable access to the

World Wide Web via a filtered service to

block access to undesirable sites.


We aim to

develop the

health and

f i tness of al l our

pupi ls and to

provide the

opportunit ies to

learn sk i l l s in

some 20

dif ferent

sport ing

act iv i t ies .

12


Pupi ls have the

opportunity to

hone thei r

sk i l l s

against

nat ional and

internat ional

oppos i t ion in

regular

sport ing tours .

13

Sport andThe Woollam Playing FieldsSPORT

We aim to develop the health and fitness of all our

pupils and to provide the opportunities to learn skills

in some 20 different sporting activities. Whatever a

pupil’s natural aptitude, each has the chance to

represent the School on the sports field.

The major team games, offering a full range of

inter-school fixtures, include Rugby, Football, Hockey,

Netball and Cricket. The School also competes at a

high level in Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming,

Skiing, Tennis, Table Tennis and Orienteering.

Further opportunities are available in Squash, Sailing,

Badminton, Mountaineering, Aerobics and Golf.

Pupils have the opportunity to hone their skills

against national and international opposition in

regular sporting tours. Recent destinations include

Dorset, Ireland and Italy for Middle School Squads,

Devon for the Netball Squad and Holland, Canada,

South America and the Caribbean for the Seniors.


The Wool lam

Playing Fie lds

are the largest

development of

thei r k ind ever

undertaken

in a

s ingle phase

in Europe .

14

St Albans School sportsmen and sportswomen

have represented the County and achieved

national and international honours. Amongst

our present and recent past pupils we list

national representatives in cross-country,

athletics, skiing, table tennis and tennis,

Oxford and Cambridge Blues in Rugby, Cricket

and Hockey, Rugby Internationals and a

European Swimming Champion.

WOOLLAM’S

The Woollam Playing Fields are the largest

development of their kind ever undertaken in

a single phase in Europe. The magnificent 73

acre site between St Albans and Harpenden is

shared with the Old Albanians Club. The

School’s outstanding facilities include a

superb pavilion, 19 winter pitches for Rugby

and Football, an all-weather Hockey pitch, 7

Cricket squares with 4 blocks of nets and 2

blocks of Tennis courts, which also

convert into Netball courts.

The grounds were named after Charles

Woollam, a local philanthropist and

benefactor to both the School and the City of

St Albans in the late nineteenth and early

twentieth century. It was his original bequest

that made this development possible.


15


A Counsel lor,

who is not a

member of staff ,

i s avai lable each

week for

conf ident ia l

consultat ion

16

PastoralThe high importance we place on pupils’ academic

progress is inseparable from our concern for their

personal and social welfare. All our pupils, from First

to Sixth Form, are members of a tutor group, organised

by year. The tutor is the first point of contact for

parents and oversees the personal and

academic welfare of pupils through a

combination of informal contact, tutor

periods and Personal and Social

Education lessons. Co-ordinating the

work of tutors are the Heads of the

three sections: Lower School, Middle

School and Sixth Form. A distinctive

feature of our pastoral care is the

supportive role played by form prefects,

sixth formers chosen by a very careful selection

process to assist the tutors. The School Nurse and

Chaplain make an important contribution to our

pastoral provision, while the Counsellor, who is not a

member of staff, is available each week for

confidential consultation.

Parents can meet their children’s teachers and tutors

at Parents’ Consultation Evenings and at a number of

informal social occasions during the year. Full written

reports are sent home twice a year, with a summary

report each half term.


The Houses offer

a l l pupi l s the

opportunity to

take a measure

of respons ib i l i ty

and to represent

thei r House in a

range of

compet i t ions .

17

House SystemThere are four Houses, each headed by a member of

staff with a team of assistants. Sixth formers have

important positions of responsibility in organising

House activities, which range from the sporting,

through the dramatic and musical, to the charitable.

The Houses offer all pupils the opportunity to take a

measure of responsibility and to represent their House

in a range of competitions.


Students are

given

progress ive ly

more autonomy

and expected to

take increas ing

respons ib i l i ty

for thei r own

academic work .

18

Sixth FormIn the Sixth Form, we welcome girls and new boys

who have the ability, drive and ambition to take full

advantage of all that St Albans School can offer. Sixth

Formers at St Albans enjoy their own facilities in a

self-contained Sixth Form Centre embracing a Sixth

Form Common Room, private study facilities with

networked computers, a careers suite and a cafeteria.

We actively encourage an independent and research-

orientated approach to Sixth Form studies. Students

are given progressively more autonomy and expected

to take increasing responsibility for their own

academic progress within a form framework that

recognises that even our highly able and self-

motivated students need support as they develop the

skills needed for independent study.

As young people who will go on to make an important

and influential contribution to society, our Sixth

Formers are expected to play a significant role in the

running and organisation of the School, as prefects,

House Captains, officers and organisers on various

committees. Particularly notable is the leadership and

creativity shown by Sixth Formers in various fund-

raising ventures for charity.

University, Work Experienceand Careers

Clever and rightly ambitious, our students are

encouraged to use the Careers Department’s extensive

resources to research thoroughly their Higher

Education options and their future careers. Aptitude

tests, Lower Sixth work experience, seminars, lectures,

individual advice and counselling, combine with

interactive computer programmes and university visits

to prepare our students for application to the leading

universities in the UK.

Graduation EveningIn July of each year all our Upper Sixth leavers are

invited to a Graduation evening, a formal occasion on

which students are presented with their Record of

Achievement and awarded five years’ membership of

the Old Albanian Club.


We bel ieve in

educat ing the

whole person in

preparat ion for

a ful f i l l ing l i fe

as a respons ib le

c i t izen .

19

Opportunities and PartnershipsHowever able and successful our pupils may be

academically, we believe in educating the whole person

in preparation for a fulfilling life as a responsible

citizen. We place great importance on offering

responsibility, challenges and the development of

citizenship skills to our older pupils in a range of

opportunities outside the academic school curriculum.

Expeditions and trips within the UK and abroad form

an essential part of the programme in the Combined

Cadet Force (CCF) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Conservation work within the Hertfordshire area, Social

Services within the local community, The Primary

School Partnership Scheme to help younger children,

and working in the School’s own Publications

Department all develop teamwork, social skills and an

understanding of responsibility.

Pen ArthurThe School’s Field Centre is a rugged farmhouse in a

remote part of rural Wales. Each year all First

formers spend a week there, for some their first

experience of communal living and a range of outdoor

pursuits. New Third formers make a similar visit, while

the Geography, Biology and other Departments use

Pen Arthur for fieldwork and related studies. For the

CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award it is a base

for expeditions and the pre-season training venue for

our nationally renowned Cross Country squad. Pen

Arthur is an indelible part of a

pupil’s experience of

St Albans School.

CharitiesWorking for the disadvantaged is

implicit in the School’s motto

Non Nobis Nati, (Born Not For

Ourselves). All pupils have the

opportunity to help in this way,

individually, as a member of a

group or form, or through House

projects. Pupils and parents have

funded a clinic in Zambia and

sponsored a young boy in Zimbabwe as well as

supporting educational and clean water projects in

other developing countries. Very large sums have been

raised for charities at home, including the MacMillan

Cancer Fund and the Children With AIDS Charity.


Non Nobis Nat i

means ‘Born Not

For Ourse lves ’

20

Our PastSt Albans School is one of the most ancient

educational foundations in Europe. The School Crest

unites the Coat of Arms of Sir Nicholas Bacon with the

family motto of Abbot Geoffrey de Gorham, two of the

School’s great benefactors.

Non Nobis Nati means ‘Born Not For Ourselves’,

embodying the School’s ideal of social responsibility

and service to the community, and a recognition that

privilege must be balanced by obligation.

A Short History of St AlbansSchool948 Probable date of the original foundation by

Abbot Ulsinus.

c1100 The renowned Norman scholar, Geoffrey de

Gorham, becomes Master of the School and is

later elected Abbot.

1549 After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in

1539, the last Abbot is granted the right to

establish a Grammar School by Edward VI.

1570 Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great

Seal, is granted income from the wine licenses

for St Albans by Elizabeth I to ensure the future

of the School.

1871 The School leaves the Lady Chapel after 300

years and moves into the Abbey Gateway, which

is subsequently extended. Original Hall opened.

1911 School House is opened.

1928 The ‘Bridge of Sighs’ and 4 new classrooms are

opened in the Upper Yard.

1936 The Science Block is opened. The second half of the

twentieth century sees numerous developments:

the opening of the Gymnasium, a new teaching

block, the construction of the Open Air Theatre by

pupils and staff, the New Hall, the opening of the

Pen Arthur Field Studies Centre in Wales, an

extension to the science block, the Technology

Suite and the creation of the New Library.

1975 Other developments included the School’s

reversion to full independence, with the

abolition of the Direct Grant system,

1991 Admission of girls to the Sixth Form. The Playing

Field Trust purchase the 400 acre Cheapside

Farm, site of the Woollam Playing Fields.

1998 New laboratories are built and the whole

school site is networked.

2002 The Woollam Playing Fields are opened by HRH

The Duke of Gloucester.

2012 Opening of Sports Centre, Refectory, and Modern

Languages Faculty. Purchase of Aquis Court, providing

new Centre for the Visual Arts and Sixth Form Centre.

Old AlbaniansThe Old Albanian Club facilities are located at the

Woollam Playing Fields, where they have their own

pavilion and sports grounds. The Club has a high

profile in St Albans and its members take an active and

supportive interest in the School. They have a very full

programme of social and sporting events, many of

them based at the School, through which OAs can

maintain contact with their contemporaries.

Distinguished OAs include:

Nicholas Breakspear -Pope Adrian IV, the onlyEnglish pope

Sir Tim Rice -Lyricist

Stephen Hawking -Lucasian Professor ofMathematics atCambridge

Lord Renfrew ofKaimsthorn –Archaeologist. Formerly Master of Jesus College,Cambridge and Professor of Archaeology

Mike Newell –Film Director (Four Weddings and a Funeral)

General Sir Richard Lawson KCB DSO OBE –Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces in Northern Europe1982-86


REDBOURN ROAD

VERULAM ROAD

A414 F OLLY LANE

HEMEL

HEMPS

TEAD

ROAD

A414

BATC

HW

OOD DRIVE

A108

1H

AR

PEN

DEN

ROAD

SANDPIT LANE

S T MICHAELSST FISHPOOL

STR

E ET HIGH STREET

LONDONROAD

HOL

YWEL

LH

ILL

CHEQ

UER

STRE

ET

B651

COTT

ON

MIL

LLA

NE

VICTORIA ST

HATFIELD ROAD

KING HARRY LANE

ABBEYMI LL

LANE

ROME

LAND

ABBEY MILL END

ORCHARD ST

Where we are...

A64734 St Albans Pros Cover:A14136 St Albans Cover 5/6/15 15:46 Page 2



Abbey GatewaySt AlbansHertfordshireAL3 4HB

Telephone:01727 855521

Facsimile:01727 843447

Email:[email protected]

www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

Everyefforthasbeenmadetoensurethatalldetailsarecorrectattimeofgoingtoprint,howeverthisdocumentformsnopartofacontract.

StAlbansSchoolisacompanylimitedbyguaranteeRegisteredinEnglandNo4400125CharityNumber1092932

RegisteredOffice:AbbeyGateway,StAlbans,Hertfordshire,AL34HBA64734 St Albans Pros Cover:A14136 St Albans Cover 5/6/15 15:46 Page 1

St Albans School Prospectus

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