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St Albans High School for Girls

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St Albans High School for Girls
NameSt Albans High School for Girls
Established1889
TypeIndependent day school
HeadMrs Amber Waite
CitySt Albans
CountyHertfordshire
CountryEngland
PostcodeAL1 4SJ
GenderGirls
Age4 to 18
Enrolment~1,000
ColoursNavy blue, white, red
PublicationThe High School Gazette
Websitehttps://www.stahs.org.uk/

St Albans High School for Girls. Founded in 1889, it is a leading independent day school for girls aged four to eighteen, situated in the historic city of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The school is a member of the Girls' Schools Association and is known for its strong academic tradition and vibrant extracurricular programme. It operates across two sites: the Prep School on Cecil Road and the Senior School on Townsend Avenue, close to the St Albans Cathedral and Verulamium Park.

History

The school was founded in 1889 as St Albans High School, initially operating from a house on Holywell Hill. Its establishment was part of a wider movement in the late Victorian era to advance education for women. In 1908, the school moved to its current senior site on Townsend Avenue, acquiring the former home of the Gibbs family, prominent local philanthropists. Throughout the 20th century, the school expanded significantly, weathering the challenges of both World War I and World War II, during which it participated in national efforts. Major developments included the opening of the Prep School in 1994 and the construction of state-of-the-art facilities like the Watling House and the STEM Centre in the 21st century, cementing its reputation within the Hertfordshire independent sector.

Campus and facilities

The Senior School campus centres on the original Edwardian building, Abbey Gate House, with views towards St Albans Cathedral. The site encompasses modern additions such as the Watling House for creative arts, a dedicated STEM Centre with laboratories rivaling university facilities, and the Sports Hall complex. The Prep School is located separately on Cecil Road, featuring its own library, music rooms, and outdoor play areas. The school makes extensive use of local resources including Verulamium Park for sports and the St Albans Organ Theatre for cultural visits. Boarding is not offered, reflecting its ethos as a day school deeply integrated into the St Albans community.

Academic profile

The school follows a curriculum leading to GCSE and A-Level examinations, with a consistently strong record of results that places it highly in national league tables such as those published by The Times. A broad range of subjects is offered, with particular strengths in the sciences, mathematics, and modern languages. Almost all students proceed to Russell Group universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London, to study disciplines from medicine to engineering. The STEM programme is notably robust, with many pupils participating in competitions like the UK Mathematics Trust challenges and achieving success in the British Biology Olympiad.

Extracurricular activities

A wide array of activities complements academic study. The school has a strong musical tradition, with numerous choirs, orchestras, and ensembles performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall and St John's Smith Square. Drama productions are staged in the Watling House theatre, and pupils frequently participate in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Sporting success is achieved in lacrosse, netball, and athletics, with teams competing in national tournaments organised by the Girls' Schools Association. A thriving programme of clubs includes debating (affiliated with the English-Speaking Union), Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, and partnerships with institutions like the Royal Institution.

Notable alumnae

Alumnae, known as Old Albanians, have achieved distinction across numerous fields. In science and medicine, notable figures include Dame Kay Davies, geneticist at the University of Oxford, and Professor Dame Carol Black, expert in rheumatology. The arts are represented by actress Nina Sosanya and television producer Ruth Jones. In law and public service, alumnae include Baroness Hale of Richmond, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and Dame Helen Ghosh, former Director-General of the National Trust. Others have excelled in journalism, such as BBC presenter Samantha Simmonds, and in business, like Maggie Semple, former CEO of The Experience Corps.

Governance and ethos

The school is a registered charity overseen by a board of governors and is a member of the Girls' Schools Association. Its ethos emphasises intellectual curiosity, resilience, and a spirit of service, encapsulated in its motto. The house system, comprising four competitive houses, fosters community and pastoral care. The school maintains close links with the Diocese of St Albans and the wider local community through outreach programmes and partnerships with state schools in Hertfordshire. It is led by the Head, Mrs Amber Waite, who succeeded Mrs Jenny Brown in 2023.

Category:Girls' schools in Hertfordshire Category:Educational institutions established in 1889 Category:Private schools in the East of England Category:St Albans