St Edmund's College Review 2026: Historic Catholic Co-education

Avita Pro Fide (For the Faith of our Fathers) runs the motto, and for the oldest post-Reformation Catholic school in England, history is inescapable. Founded in 1568 by William Allen, St Edmund's College occupies a 400-acre site in Old Hall Green, where Pugin architecture meets modern ambition.

Despite the grandeur of the Pugin chapel and the weight of 450 years of tradition, the atmosphere is grounded rather than haughty. The college serves approximately 925 boys and girls aged 3 to 18, operating as a fully co-educational school with a distinct "diamond" sensitivity to learning styles. It remains a bastion of Catholic education, attracting families who value that specific heritage alongside a broad, inclusive curriculum.

The drive up to the main building sets a tone of seriousness, but the daily reality is warmer. The college is dominated by its history, most visibly in the stunning chapel designed by Augustus Pugin, which sits at the physical and spiritual heart of the campus.

Mr Matthew Mostyn, the Headmaster appointed in 2019, leads a school that feels distinct from the highly pressured academic hothouses nearby. The ethos is "Catholic and inclusive," meaning while the rhythm of the day is punctuated by the Angelus and Mass is central to the calendar, the intake includes non-Catholics who are happy to support the values.

The student body is a mix of day students from Hertfordshire and London, and boarders who bring an international dimension. The "Elements" (Years 7 and 8) have their own distinct identity, designed to bridge the gap between prep and senior school. The house system—Challoner, Douglass, Pole, Poynter, and Talbot—provides the backbone of pastoral competition and camaraderie.

In 2024, 22% of A-level grades were A*-A, with 51.8% of grades at A*-B. The college ranks 1,126th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 3rd in the local area of Ware. This performance sits in the national typical band, reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

At GCSE, the school ranks 3,724th in England. However, parents should view this specific ranking with significant context. Like many independent schools, St Edmund's offers IGCSEs (International GCSEs) in core subjects like Mathematics and English. These qualifications are often not counted in government performance league tables, skewing the official ranking downward.

The school is not an academic factory. While it caters to the bright, it also supports a broader range of abilities than some selective neighbours. The focus is often on value-added—helping a B-grade student secure a solid B or push for an A—rather than solely chasing A* statistics.

The curriculum is broad and structured. In the "Elements" phase (Years 7-8), students follow a programme designed to embed study skills before the GCSE years. The rhetoric phase (Sixth Form) offers a wide range of A-levels, from the traditional sciences and humanities to Psychology, Media Studies, and Photography.

Teaching is described by parents as supportive and accessible. Class sizes are managed to ensure individual attention, typically hovering around 18-20 in lower years and dropping significantly for Sixth Form. The school utilises its vast grounds for learning where possible, particularly in sciences and geography.

Support for students with SEND is available, though parents of children with significant needs should discuss provision early, as the historic nature of the buildings can present some accessibility challenges.

In 2024, 65% of leavers progressed to university, with others choosing apprenticeships (2%) or employment (10%). The destination list is diverse, reflecting the school's "all-rounder" nature.

Graduates regularly secure places at Russell Group institutions, including Durham, Leeds, Nottingham, and York. In the most recent cycle, 8 students applied to Oxbridge, with 1 securing a place at Cambridge. This 12.5% success rate for Oxbridge applicants is respectable for a school of this size and intake profile.

Catholic Life & Faith

Faith is not an add-on here; it is the foundation. As a Catholic foundation, the school expects all students, regardless of their personal faith, to attend Mass and be respectful of the ethos. The Chaplaincy team is active, and the chapel is used daily. Religious Education is a core subject. For Catholic families, this continuity of faith from home to school is a primary draw; for others, the emphasis on moral contemplation and service is the attraction.

Boarding

Boarding is available from Year 7 upwards and comes in three flavours: full, weekly, and flexi. Roughly 120-150 students board, creating a community large enough to be vibrant but small enough to feel like a family.

The boarding accommodation has seen recent investment. Boys and girls are housed in separate areas, with a mix of shared rooms for younger students and single study bedrooms for Sixth Formers. Weekends are busy for full boarders, with a programme of trips to Cambridge, London, and local activities, rather than the "empty school" syndrome found in some flexi-heavy schools.

The 400-acre site is used to full effect. Sport is a major pillar of life at St Edmund's. Football, rugby, cricket, netball, and hockey are the staples, with competitive fixtures played on Saturdays.

Music is another strength, centred around the Schola Cantorum, which sings at services and regularly tours. The partnership with LAMDA means speech and drama tuition is popular and of a high standard.

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award are staples of the extracurricular diet, encouraging resilience and leadership. Clubs range from the debate society to more niche interests like astronomy, taking advantage of the dark skies over Old Hall Green.

Admissions are selective but look for potential and character as much as raw IQ. Entry points are typically at 11+ (into Elements), 13+, and 16+.

For Year 7 entry in September 2026, the application deadline is Friday 14 November 2025. Candidates sit an entrance examination on Saturday 17 January 2026, covering English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning. A reference from the current school is required, and an interview with a senior member of staff is standard.

For Sixth Form, entry is based on GCSE performance. External applicants usually need at least six GCSEs at grade 5+, with higher thresholds (typically grade 6–7) in the subjects they intend to take at A-level.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm, with buses serving a wide area including North London, Cambridge, and most of Hertfordshire. Wraparound care is available, particularly useful for working parents, with breakfast served from 7:30am and supervision available until 6:00pm.

Fees & Financial Aid

St Edmund's is an independent school, and fees apply. Day fees for the College (Years 7-13) are approximately £8,075 per term (£24,225 per year). Full boarding fees are around £14,065 per term (£42,195 per year).

Scholarships are available for academic excellence, art, drama, music, and sport. These carry prestige and a modest fee remission (typically 10-20%). Means-tested bursaries are also available for families who could not otherwise afford the fees. These can cover up to 100% of fees for exceptional candidates, though the pot is limited and application deadlines are strict, typically closing in early December for the following September.

Catholic Ethos: The religious character is genuine and pervasive. Families uncomfortable with mandatory Mass or explicit Catholic teaching may find the environment too specific for their needs.

A-level Performance: While solid, the school is not a "grade factory." Families seeking a school that churns out exclusively A* grades might find the "National Typical" ranking modest compared to some highly selective London day schools.

Location: The rural setting is beautiful but isolated. While the bus network is extensive, reliance on school transport or car travel is inevitable for day pupils.

St Edmund's College offers a unique proposition: the oldest Catholic education in England delivered on a campus that rivals many universities. It creates well-rounded, polite, and grounded young people who are comfortable with tradition but not stifled by it. Best suited to families who value a supportive, faith-based environment where character development sits on equal footing with academic results.