Our Rich History

Abbot Ulsinus founds an Abbey in St Albans, and it is probable that a monastic School started at this time. Records show the monastic School in existence in 1100, and in 1155 there is also an almonry School, based in the Gateway and surrounding buildings.

The almonry School becomes the St Albans Grammar School via statutes issued by Edward II.

One of the first printing presses in Britain is located within the Gateway; it serves both the Abbey Monastery and Schools, printing both secular and religious publications.

The almonry School becomes a free School and moves from premises on Romeland into the Lady Chapel, at St Albans Abbey. In 1553 St Albans City receives its charter from Edward VI, which gives powers to formally set up the School as The King Edward VI Grammar School within the Abbey, combining both the Almonry and Monastic Schools. In 1570 Benefactor Sir Nicholas Bacon organises funding for the School through a Wine Charter Licence. In 1626 Charles I visits the School and a fireplace is installed in The Gateway to honour this visit.

The Civil War means that the Local Authority takes control of funding for the School, which becomes known as St Albans Free School.

The School's Act means that the School is renamed St Albans Grammar School. In 1871 the School, having outgrown its space in the Abbey, moves from the Lady Chapel into the Gateway and its connected buildings.

OA Charles Woollam funds the development of a science laboratory. This is the first of several improvements to the site, including the new Assembly Hall Block (1908) and School House (1912), both of which were designed by architect Percival Blow (OA 1888). Woollam goes on to bequeath playing fields at Belmont Hill to the School in 1915.

A Combined Cadet Force is instigated by the Headmaster.

The School's name is formally changed to St Albans School, and it becomes a Senior School admitting pupils aged 11-18. In 1933 an open-air swimming pool is built and opened. Other developments include the opening of a new Science block in 1936 and new classrooms in 1937, following the acquisition of an old straw hat factory site.

Pen Arthur outward bound site based in the Brecon Beacons is acquired, with the first trip there taking place in 1968.

In 1976 the School becomes independent. The School’s first overseas sports tour is undertaken in 1989 and girls are admitted to Sixth Form in 1991.

The new Woollam Playing Fields are opened by the Duke of Gloucester. In 2003 a new Drama Studio is opened.

Considerable new development is undertaken, which includes: the acquisition of Aquis Court and its conversion for School use, including a dedicated Sixth Form centre (2011); a new sports centre and swimming pool (2011); a new Music School, with a recording studio and rehearsal spaces (2018); the completion of the Corfield Building, a new mathematics and CCF centre (2020); the conversion of the vacated maths classrooms to create additional science laboratories (2021-22).