Academic Curriculum

At St Albans School, we provide our pupils with a broad and ambitious curriculum that sets out to prepare them for academic success, as well as the skills, knowledge and values required for success in the wider world. Pupils are taught by experienced and dynamic teachers, who foster independent thought, critical thinking and resilience in their learning, while providing opportunities for the pupils to collaborate with their peers and to take responsibility for their personal growth and development.

Our curriculum also includes a wide array of sporting, cultural, and other co-curricular activities and trips. By offering an extensive range of opportunities, we support our pupils in realising their full potential, developing their skills, interests, ambitions, and capabilities beyond the classroom.

Click here to read our Curriculum Information Booklet 2024/25

First, Second and Third Form
The first three years provide a sound basis of learning in all subject areas, with strong cross-curricular references. In the First Form, as well as the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, pupils study the humanities, technology, the expressive arts and modern and classical languages. In the Second Form, pupils choose to continue
with three languages, selecting from French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish. In the Third Form, while all pupils continue to study English, Mathematics, Science and the humanities, they also pick four subjects covering
technology, the expressive arts and languages.

Middle School (subjects at IGCSE)
All pupils take Mathematics, English, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry and Physics and a Modern Language as their core IGCSE subjects. Pupils choose three further option subjects from Modern Languages, Art, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, Electronics, Geography, Greek, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies. 

Sixth Form (subjects at A Level)
Pupils can choose from a wide range of subjects in the Sixth Form, including Art, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology (from September 2025), Religious Studies and Spanish. All students embark on an Extended Project, which develops their planning and research skills and enables them to work on an area of personal interest.

Please note: From September 2025, we are introducing Psychology A Level.

Click here to read our Sixth Form Curriculum Information Booklet 2024/25

We have developed our own Teaching and Learning Programme which offers a comprehensive educational experience for pupils. This is combined with our Digital Learning Strategy which aims to work alongside the School’s existing bring your own device (BYOD) scheme.

"Pupils in all year groups demonstrate strong information, communication and technology (ICT) skills in their ease of using information technology to take notes across all subjects; they move between books, tablets and other devices to organise their studies and exhibit a determined independence."
ISI, November 2022