Secondary Schools St Alban's - any info on them?

[Misspaella]

Hi all. We are looking to do the move out of London now that our eldest is at primary school. We love St Alban's (have a friend there) and have thought best to be strategic and move to an area of St Alban's that has a good secondary school. The only school we know is Sandringham (that is my friends local secondary school).

What are the other secondary schools in the area? It could be community, Catholic (me)or CofE (DH).

Also what are the selective schools. I am not sure it would suit DS1 but DD is st

arting to show a more academic inclination so I would like to know what the options may be.

I have checked the county council website but it doesn't break up the schools into primary and secondary and would have to trawl through the whole list.

Any tips would be great as we are househunting over the next few months.

[BelfastBloke]

Use the SchoolGuru webste

[doublehelp]

here is a list of the secondary schools in st albans i can think of around the town centre

loretto college - all girls catholic school
st albans girls school
verulum - all boys school
townsend- CofE mixed school
sandringham
marlborough
parmiters - entrance by exam
francis bacon
nicholas breaksbear - mixed catholic
beaumont

There is also a girls pivate and boys private school in the town centre

(not sure if there is a few i have missed)

most of the schools in st albans are good look them up on line and on the league tables but to be honest you won't get a full picture unless you visit them

[QueenofHerts]

I have dc's at St A secondaries

From doublehelp's list of schools, the ones that parents are prepared to move for/rediscover their christian faith for are:

• St Albans Girls school
  
• Loreto (catholic, girls only)
  
• Beaumont (mixed)
  
• Sandringham (mixed)
  

Verulam (boys) is v much improving and likely to be in top league soon

For all of these schools in practice the catchment area is shrinking all the time and to stand a chance of getting in, it has to be your nearest school.

Selective schools:

• Parmiters (Garston, near Watford) - entrance by exam and/or music exam
  
• St Albans boys (private, academic, boys)
  
• St Albans High school (private, academic, girls - not to be confused with also excellent state st albans girls)
  
• St Columbas (private, less academic, boys)
  
• Abbots hill (private, less academic, girls - near hemel hempstead but lots go there from st albans)
  
• Haberdashers boys (private, academic, nr Elstree)
  
• Haberdashers girls (private, academic, nr Estree)
  

That lot should keep you busy

[Misspaella]

Wow thanks
I have a lot of research!

[midnightexpress]

My DN is at Beaumont and SIL seems to be happy with it. It's quite highly regarded and is a language specialist school (sorry, not sure of the proper terminology - we're in Scotland).

[midnightexpress]

Oh, and I understand from her that Francis Bacon doesn't have a great rep these days.

Have you also considered Harpenden (next stop out of London on the train from StA)? It has a number of excellent schools. Property is pricy, but it's a nice place.

[Decorhate]

Re the RC & CofE schools, it will depend on what religion your children are being brought up, not what yours is iyswim. Certainly Loreto gives priority to children who attended a catholic primary. You would probably need to explain in writing if they hadn't...

QueenofHerts is spot-on re the most sought-after schools. There is a partial lottery system for Verulam & STAGs so house location is not so crucial but you do get priority if either is your nearest school.

House prices near Sandringham & Beaumont are very inflated. Itbis worth looking at the data from last year to see how close you need to be to get in - less than 1.4 miles I believe.

[singingsoprano]

STAGs is a very academic school and is very oversubscribed. Youngest dd goes there.

[chocaholic73]

Francis Bacon didn't used to have a good reputation - it was in special measures a few years back. Unfortunately it takes years for that sort of thing to be forgotten. It got satisfactory in its most recent Ofsted which although may not be as high as some of the other local schools, is a vast improvement. My DD had a breakdown after starting one of the other St Albans secondaries, she had a number of issues which they did not deal with and we had no option but to pull her out of the school. We visited Francis Bacon and she has been there ever since. Depends what you want from a school, if you want a child who comes out with 10A*s it may not be the place for you. We have been overwhelmed with the support my DD has received from all staff. Children do make good progress but people forget that many of them will be starting at a lower point than others. I have been in and out of the School at different times of the day to meet staff and the kids are all very well behaved and clearly have a good relationship with the staff. So, what I am saying is, Francis Bacon may or may not be the right school for your kids but it is a fantastic place.

[singingsoprano]

Choco, agree with you re-FBS, as eldest ds and dd went there and both left with 9GCSEs above Grade C. Re Stags, dd wanted to go there, enjoys the friendships she's made, but does not enjoy school. She measures herself against other who she sees as 'clever' and now is convinced she is stupid. She isn't, she is very creative and talented in Music, Drama & Dance. However, these are not that well-catered for, so OP, you need to visit the schools to have a flavour of their ethos.
Good Luck!

[Ishen3]

Hi all, just joined the group and think would be beneficial. My son is in yr 4 and wished him for a grammar school . What grammar school is in St. Albans?