About St. Albans School
St. Albans School is a co-educational independent day school in Hertfordshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
St. Albans School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #469 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 41.1%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Albans School
St. Albans School Admissions Criteria
St. Albans School is a co-educational independent day school in Hertfordshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at St. Albans School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at St. Albans School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by St and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about their interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether them child has been offered a place at St. Albans School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at St. Albans School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Albans School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending St. Albans School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Albans School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to St. Albans School
Step 1 — Visit St Albans School at an Open Event
Visit St Albans School at an Open Event or arrange a personal visit
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at St Albans
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at St Albans School
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated — on acceptance, pay the deposit
Step 8 — Note: From 2026, St Albans School is going fully co-educational
Note: From 2026, St Albans School is going fully co-educational (boys before Sixth Form historically; Sixth Form co-ed since 1991)
Independent Subjects Tested at St. Albans School
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Albans School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced following assessment
Additional notes: St Albans School is a public school (traditional English fee-charging day school) in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Founded in 948 by Wulsin (Abbot Ulsinus) — the oldest school in Hertfordshire and one of the oldest in the world. Church of England affiliation. Approximately 790 pupils. Headmaster Joe Silvester (appointed 2024). Going fully co-educational from 2026.
Independent Practice Papers for St. Albans School
St. Albans School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the St. Albans School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at St. Albans School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
St Albans School delivers elite academic results, with strong performances at GCSE and A-Level and high progression to leading universities.
- GCSE: a very strong record, with a large majority of grades at the top marks.
- A-Level: excellent results, with around 60% at A*–A in recent years.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for St. Albans School
St Albans School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across St Albans and the surrounding Hertfordshire area, with selective entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in the heart of the city beside St Albans Cathedral, with good rail links to London; boys enter at 11+, and the Sixth Form has been co-educational since 1991 — with the school extending co-education across all year groups from September 2026.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Tracing its history to 948 AD and one of the oldest schools in the world, St Albans School is an HMC independent day school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with the motto ‘Non Nobis Nati’ (born not for ourselves). Set at the medieval Abbey Gateway beside St Albans Cathedral, it is a Church of England foundation known for academic excellence within a warm, caring and inclusive community and a strong, wide-ranging commitment to pastoral care and pupil wellbeing.
Its co-curricular programme is vast, with more than 200 clubs and activities spanning sport, music, drama and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Albans School
How do I get into St. Albans School?
To gain entry to St. Albans School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Does St use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. St uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at St. Albans School?
St. Albans School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at St. Albans School?
Yes. St. Albans School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to St. Albans School?
Most independent schools including St. Albans School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for St. Albans School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at St. Albans School. No registration required.
When is the St. Albans School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at St. Albans School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are St. Albans School 11+ results announced?
At St. Albans School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.