11 Plus Exams Forum

Anyone have any figures on how many apply and how many offers etc?

That is Columba's in St Albans.

No figures I'm afraid but I know lots of boys who've applied over the last 6 or 7 years, all of whom have been offered a place.

This is a backup school for St Albans but the GCSE and A levels results are lower than all of the local state schools so make sure you are paying for something other than academic results.

I dont know anyone who has not got an offer but most end up going elsewhere. DG

That is incorrect information.

2017 Percentage GCSE at A* and A

Columba's 44.1%
Marlborough 18.7%
Verulam 24.5%

Daogroupie wrote:I dont know anyone who has not got an offer but most end up going elsewhere. DG

If most go elsewhere (as with every other school one could name, presumably - most go elsewhere ) then presumably the school will shut very soon. Otherwise, assuming it is still planning on staying open, is it conceivable that your sample is skewed, DG, towards those whose priorities are different from those favoured by the school?

I presume DG means that most of the people she knows go elsewhere.
This is also the case for me. I do know 3 children who have gone there.
1 was awaiting a state school place and spent 2 years there.
1 went there because he loved it.
1 went there because St Albans (where the family really wanted him to go after he didn't get into QE) did not offer a scholarship.
All 3 of them have really enjoyed their time there.

I really think DG should not post misleading information about schools -

I agree that Columbas is commonly used as a backup option for St Albans , everyone I know that got the St Albans place also received a St C offer, and all all took the St Albans one, as we did. However those boys I do know there are very happy.

If you live in a part of St Albans where you have no chance of a place at the more popular state coeds, then I think Colombas has much to offer. Verulam has recently received a poor ofsted.

St Columba's is also chosen sometimes because of its Catholic ethos, its small classes and it nurturing reputation. It's not all about academics and doesn't claim to be.