About Verulam School
Verulam School is a non-selective, all-ability state secondary school for boys aged 11–18, with a co-educational Sixth Form, in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It is a state-funded academy — not an independent, fee-paying school — founded in 1938 and named after Verulamium, the Roman name for St Albans, with the motto ‘Faire Mon Devoir’ (to do my duty).
It is state-funded, so there are no fees and no academic entrance exam — places are allocated through Hertfordshire’s coordinated admissions on the basis of distance and the school’s priority area. Its Sixth Form is co-educational and run in the BeauSandVer consortium with Beaumont and Sandringham schools.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Verulam School
Verulam School Admissions Criteria
Verulam is a non-selective, all-ability state academy, so there is no academic entrance exam and no fees. Year 7 places are coordinated by Hertfordshire County Council and offered, after higher-priority categories, on the basis of the school’s priority area and distance. You apply through your home Local Authority, not directly to the school.
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or arranged tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of any selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Apply through your Local Authority: List the school on your child’s secondary Common Application Form (CAF) through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October in Year 6. You do not register or pay a fee directly to the school.
- ✓Step 3 — Offers: Your Local Authority sends offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated against the published oversubscription criteria below.
- ✓Step 4 — Accept your place: Accept the offer through your Local Authority by the date given. There is no acceptance deposit — it is a state-funded school.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at Verulam School
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children, and children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school.
- Children with an exceptional medical or social need for a place at this particular school.
- Children of members of staff (under the usual conditions), and children with a sibling at the school on entry.
- Children living within the school’s designated priority area.
- All other children, ranked by straight-line distance from home to school (the tie-breaker).
Catchment Area for Verulam School
Verulam is a non-selective state academy, so admission is by Hertfordshire’s coordinated process rather than an entrance exam — there is a defined priority area and distance is the key tie-breaker.
Cut-off distances vary year to year, so check the school’s admission arrangements and the Hertfordshire secondary admissions booklet before applying.
Academic Performance at Verulam School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Verulam is a high-achieving, non-selective boys’ school, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted with above-average progress.
- GCSE: strong — around 84% of pupils achieve grade 4+ in English and maths, with an above-average Progress 8 score.
- A-Level: strong results in a co-educational Sixth Form, taught in consortium with Beaumont and Sandringham (BeauSandVer).
- Progression: leavers move on to leading universities and high-level apprenticeships.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1938, Verulam School is a non-selective state academy for boys aged 11–18 (with a co-educational Sixth Form) on Brampton Road in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with the motto ‘Faire Mon Devoir’ (to do my duty) and a focus on developing the whole person. Organised into houses (Brampton, Churchill, Hamilton, Jennings, Park and York), it is part of the Ambition Education Trust and rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, spanning sport, music, drama, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Verulam School
How do I apply to Verulam School for Year 7?
Apply through Hertfordshire County Council’s secondary coordinated admissions, naming the school on your child’s Common Application Form by 31 October. There is no separate registration with the school and no fee.
Is there an entrance exam at Verulam?
No. It is a non-selective, all-ability state school with no entrance exam; places are decided by the published criteria, not by a test.
Is Verulam selective?
No. Although it was once a grammar school, it is now a comprehensive academy that does not select on academic ability.
How are places allocated if the school is oversubscribed?
After looked-after children and those with medical or social need, priority goes to siblings and to boys living in the school’s priority area, with distance from the school as the tie-breaker.
Does Verulam have a Sixth Form?
Yes — a co-educational Sixth Form, run in the BeauSandVer consortium with Beaumont and Sandringham, so students can take A-Levels across the three schools.
Are there fees at Verulam?
No. It is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees.
Independent Practice Papers for Verulam School
Verulam School is non-selective and does not set an 11+ entrance exam. Many families still use 11+ practice to strengthen core English and maths skills before secondary school — our Independent 11+ format papers are a useful general resource, 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
Building 11+ Skills for Verulam School (General Practice)
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.
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Start at least 6–12 months before secondary transfer. 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.