St Columba's College Prospectus

An education of the head and heart

ST COLUMBA’S COLLEGE AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL IS A CO-ED INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC DAY SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 4-18 IN ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE. INSPIRED BY THE CHARISM OF THE BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART, WE PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION IN A NURTURING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND OF NO PARTICULAR PERSUASION.

Students develop notably strong levels of self -belief and esteem…… achieve their own best standards within the Columban virtues of courage, courtesy and compassion.

ISI REPORT MAY 2022

Courage • Courtesy • Compassion

Welcome

to St Columba’s College

At St Columba’s College, we pride ourselves on providing an education of the head and heart, placing academic success alongside happiness and confidence at the centre of our mission.

Throughout each phase of education, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form, we create a nurturing environment where each pupil is challenged to achieve their own best academic standard, while becoming confident, resilient and compassionate individuals.

Our pupils are supported by a dedicated academic and support staff, and they become members of a strong and vibrant community of pupils, parents, staff and alumni, where lifelong friendships are established.

We hope that you share our vision. We warmly invite you to visit the Prep School, Senior School or the Sixth Form to meet our staff and pupils and to experience our community first-hand.

David Shannon-Little Headmaster

Quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent…..pupils have strong study skills and demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning.

ISI REPORT MAY 2022

Ethos & Values

St Columba’s College was founded in 1939, and since 1955 it has been a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart’s global community of schools. It is unique in being the only such school in the UK.

We are proud to be a Catholic school, and we welcome pupils and staff of all faiths and those of no particular persuasion. Our goal is to provide a moral and religious education inspired by the charism of the Brothers.

We teach our pupils the Columban values of courage, courtesy and compassion to enable them to become confident and well-rounded individuals. The ultimate aim is to leave people and places better than they find them.

St Columba’s pupils are academically successful, intellectually curious, happy and empathetic. The world needs people with these qualities, who can connect with others and respond wisely to the many complex challenges that they face in an everchanging society.

Amazing staff that really engage with the children. Our child has grown so much at the school and has really enjoyed his time here.

PARENT

Pastoral Care

Our exceptional pastoral programme is designed to develop our young people’s emotional intelligence, complementing their academic growth.

Every pupil is known, valued and treasured.

This pastoral care is underpinned by a House/ Tutor system, which provides a community group for each pupil and fosters close contact between school and home.

This system generate healthy competition and leadership opportunities, and allows pupils to be recognised and rewarded for their successes.

A dedicated team of Heads of Houses, Form Tutors, Nurses, and a Counsellor, support each pupil’s mental and physical health and wellbeing throughout their time here.

We genuinely feel that our son’s tutor and Head of House not only know him but support him as an individual.

CURRENT PARENT

Known

Valued

Prep School

Our Prep School is a unique and happy place. We are proud of our reputation for academic achievement in a nurturing and supportive environment.

LOWER PREP

In Reception, our pupils instantly embrace the Columban learning ethos of resilience, teamwork and a positive growth mindset. In small class settings, pupils learn through structured indoor and outdoor programmes such as ‘Forest Friday’.

Our enthusiastic and experienced teachers and teaching assistants work closely with families to share their children’s progress. Staff use our Tapestry programme to exchange pictures, information and learning opportunities with home.

There are daily phonics sessions, individual reading and rigorous Maths mastery challenges. These are complemented by specialist-taught enrichment opportunities such as PE, Music and French.

In Prep 1 and 2 small class sizes enable our staff to ensure that each child is both stretched and supported in developing vital academic and social skills.

Interactive whiteboards and specialist subjects such as Science, Art, DT, IT and life skills as well as a host of trips, workshops and visits help to enliven the serious business of learning.

Prep School

UPPER PREP

As they move on from a strong start in the Lower Prep, our pupils are encouraged to further develop their own interests and learning styles. Continuing to benefit from small class sizes, pupils enjoy high-quality teaching from a dedicated staff who know each pupils’ strengths and help them overcome any challenges.

The Prep School has become a member school in the Prep School Baccalaureate (PSB) group. The PSB is an assessment model that has at its heart the development of the right values, skills, attitudes, and behaviours required for children to flourish in an ever-changing world. It is centred on lifelong skills that promote a holistic education.

Expert specialist teaching in Music, Sports, Science, Art, Religious Education, IT, Modern Languages and Latin, gives our pupils a rich preparation for the Senior School, while instrumental lessons and a wide range of extra-curricular clubs enhance their creativity and enjoyment.

Last week, I played a saxophone solo at a whole school concert and played again at Assembly the following morning.

UPPER PREP PUPIL

Senior School

ACADEMIC RIGOUR

At St Columba’s we strive for academic excellence and rigor, our intent and aspiration being for each individual to achieve their personal best standard. Knowledge acquisition is supported by developing qualities of intellectual enquiry and acuity allowing students to confidently challenge, interrogate, analyse, project and formulate.

We foster a love of learning and a sense of personal, moral, social and cultural education, which allows our students to form opinions and make decisions that reflect the highest possible level of academic success and personal growth.

Our passionate and inspirational teachers challenge every student to achieve their own best academic standard while exploring their talents in other areas through our extensive extra-curricular programme. We see every element of the curriculum as equally important in our holistic aim of preparing young people to not just make a living, but to make a life.

The Senior School also offers a comprehensive Careers and Higher Education programme. As students move up, they receive more focused careers guidance, which pays particular attention to their choices for the future and guides them as they research higher education and the world of work.

We have been very impressed with the quality of education and pastoral care that our son has received since starting at St Columba’s.

SHAPE PROGRAMME

Our holistic approach to education is what sets St Columba’s College apart. We know that participation in a broad range of extracurricular activities and service opportunities is vital for developing the skills, attributes, and capabilities that prepare our students for life after school.

The cornerstone of student formation in the Senior School and the Sixth Form is our SHAPE Programme: a set of timetabled weekly activities and opportunities that allow students and their tutors to structure a programme of personal growth for each individual.

The SHAPE timetable includes:

• Service activities such as Student Ministry and fundraising for charities;

• House activities such as Inter-House music, sport and public speaking competitions;

• Academic Clubs such as lunchtime and afterschool subject sessions and specialist exam group workshops;

• Practical activities, such as college sport, drama and music;

• Extra-curricular, which includes all Senior School clubs such as the CCF, Chess, Drama, Mindfulness and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Sixth Form

In St Columba’s Sixth Form, you will find a sanctuary of academic rigour and personal growth in which students can aspire to reach their very highest potential.

The wide range of subjects, extra-curricular experiences and leadership opportunities on offer mean that our students emerge with the skills, qualifications and attributes necessary for the next stage of their lives.

The co-educational environment provides an ideal transition from school to university life.

We have modern and well-equipped facilities, seminar-style classrooms, dedicated study provision, and a social space including a café.

A Level studies are supplemented by supervised study time and all students follow an Enrichment Programme, incorporating Young Enterprise, Certificate/Diploma in Financial Services, Religious Education and the Extended Project Qualification.

The Sixth Form Academic Stretch & Challenge programme builds on the work started lower down in the school, broadening students’ intellectual experience, and empowering them to independently explore new avenues.

CAREERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Our Careers department operates an open-door policy for Sixth Form students to use its wide range of resources and seek advice and support on higher education and career opportunities. Personal contacts, workshops, a work experience programme and significant input from our alumni help the students navigate the choices that lie before them.

Our Sixth Form leavers’ destinations are testament to the range of opportunities for our young people to excel in their chosen field. From Oxbridge to the Royal College of Music, Russell Group to Harper Adams, our young people go on to pursue further learning and vocational training at some of the best establishments in the world.

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Part of the ethos of St Columba’s College is a commitment to service, charitable giving and action, and our Sixth Form students play an important part in leading and organising our efforts in this area.

We encourage them to become involved in the extended curriculum programme where they are offered considerable responsibility within the activities provided. This lets them learn new skills, develop their character and take on leadership roles where they can serve as role models for the younger students.

I gained the interest and the confidence to study at Cambridge because of the enthusiasm of my teachers and the Columban Community’s belief in me.

FORMER HEAD BOY

Sport is an integral part of school life at St Columba’s. We aim to foster an interest in physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, which in turn supports our pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.

We have a long history of playing basketball, imported by our North American Brothers in the 1950s.

In the Prep School, regardless of their ability, every child experiences a wide variety of different sporting activities through PE lessons and an array of clubs. Pupils can play in competitive matches, either in fixtures against other schools or via the Inter-House system.

In the Senior School, students can participate in a range of sports from rugby, football, basketball, netball, and gymnastics, to athletics, cricket, tennis, golf, and fencing. They compete at local, regional and national levels.

Sport Music

Music is also an integral part of school life. Throughout the Prep School and in Years 7, 8 and 9 in the Senior School, pupils develop knowledge, skills and understanding in classical, popular and world music traditions. They are encouraged to get involved in a wide range of musical ensembles that cater for all abilities and tastes. These include choral and bell choirs, orchestras and jazz bands.

Performance is a key element of the music programmes and pupils are given the opportunity to show off their talents in a variety of concerts and recitals both in school and in the local community.

Extra-Curricular

Every pupil is encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities at lunchtime and after school. Activities include numerous sporting, academic, cultural and pastoral clubs.

Through the wide range of opportunities available, pupils learn more about themselves as well as discovering new interests and talents. The extended curriculum provides a variety of workshops, guest speakers, museum, theatre and subjectrelated trips. The College offers a range of exciting overseas trips and also operates global sports tours.

We have a growing Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which consists of two sections: Army and RAF. The College is proud of its participation and success rate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Scheme, where each year a large number of students receive awards up to Gold level.

Students participate with obvious enthusiasm in the broad extra-curricular programme.

Visit Us

Selecting the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. Having browsed our prospectus, we would love for you to come and meet our pupils and staff.

To arrange a visit please contact the Admissions

admissions@stcolumbascollege.org

For the dates of upcoming Open Events please check our website:

We have been so pleased with the excellent teaching and pastoral care that our sons have received from the Prep School right through to the Sixth Form. The wellrounded education that they have received at St Columba’s has shaped them into the happy and confident young men that they are today.

FORMER PARENT

An education of the head and heart