St Albans High School for Girls

[Nam3]

Hi there,
I would very much welcome your thoughts, feedback, opinions on St Albans High school for girls - my DD has an offer for the prep school (occasional entry). We applied as we love the fact that's it's an all through school and avoid the 11+ mayhem. We have a younger DD and a DS to also think about.

Would you please share anything you could think of that you like /dislike about the prep or senior school as if we commit she is hopefully staying in to avoid any further 11+ stress. Best areas to live in given prep site is outside of St Albans?

I would be most grateful!! 🙏🙏

Hi Nam. My girls both went to the Prep and are now at the Senior School. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about the schools? Both loved their time at the Prep and found it a warm and fun environment - the youngest particularly loved the forest school.

As regards areas, the majority of families live in St Albans or Harpenden. There are quite a few from the local villages (Gustard Wood, Redbourn, Welwyn and Wheathampstead itself) and from Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. Some also travel from further afield, but they’re definitely in the minority (although you can guarantee that the child who lives the furthest away is the one your little darling decides is her BFF!)

The most common school for brothers is Aldwickbury, as it’s geographically close. However, there’s a wide range of schools brothers attend.

It does occasionally happen that younger sisters aren’t offered a reception place though it is very, very rare.

I hope your daughter has a fabulous time if you decide it’s the right school for her.

@Dragontrainer thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Greatly appreciate it!!

The prep school seems to be expanding quite a bit adding a 3rd form in year 3 now so it seems rather large. Are you OK to let me know on the following (and please feel free to PM me if better) :

• is it really a warm environment? I honestly couldn't tell. It felt a little too corporate
• is every girl well looked after as an individual?
• amount of homework set?.
• do they tend to increase the fees annually?
• are girls stretched /supported well?

Again, thank you so much and do feel free to PM me 🙏☺️

@Dragontrainer Hi there, may I ask more about the teaching and learning in senior school? Do your DDs happy at senior school now? Thanks so much for your help.

@2021newbiemum Yes, both girls are happy at the senior school. They’ve got a lovely set of friends each and are very settled (though each have had inevitable and shortlived blips where friendship groups have changed, I think it’s par for the course where teenage girls are concerned!)

The vast, vast majority of teachers at the senior school have been fantastic and are very dedicated to their jobs. I’ve no complaints at all about the teaching.

It's worth asking how many children do transition to senior school. A friends daughter was given a place in Prep but by Year 4 they were being encouraged to look at other schools, due to her Maths ability or lack of it. It felt harsh but they have lots of applications for senior school so can afford to be highly selective.

Assume price increases every year as that's my experience of private schools.

Location wise, consider senior school as that is more central St Albans.

@Fireflygal thank you. Price increases at independent schools definitely something I am familiar with and find so frustrating.
Location wise - long term presumably better to be in St Albans rather than Harpenden? Mind you I have 2 younger DCs to think about too so not straightforward.

Yes, very harsh about asking girls to leave (we have had a few of these instances in our school, the girls are truly lovely) but perhaps better long term as they would thrive elsewhere. Or has the school not given the girl enough support - that would be a totally different conversation ☹️

My friends daughter is very able and her Maths was slightly weaker, she has thrived elsewhere and will be applying to Oxbridge so I suspect they could have supported her.

@Fireflygal thanks so much for sharing this. It means a lot!!

@Dragontrainer thanks for your advice. Any comments of comparison between STAHS and HABS? Both are highly selective schools in Hertfordshire.