ST ALBANS GIRLS' SCHOOL

What ST ALBANS GIRLS' SCHOOL does

St Albans Girls' School (STAGS) is a state-funded secondary school located on Sandridgebury Lane in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, serving approximately 1,200-1,440 girls aged 11-18 across Years 7-13, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Founded in 1922 and operating as an academy within Ambition Education Trust (a 10-school Multi Academy Trust formed in September 2024), the school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum spanning Art & Design, Business, Computing, Drama, English, Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, and Humanities, supported by a Blended Learning Programme that integrates Google Classroom, Edulink, and personal devices (Chromebooks or BYOD) into classroom instruction.

The school's core 'product' is secondary and Sixth Form education, with revenue generated primarily through government per-pupil funding channelled via the ESFA and Ambition Education Trust. Supplementary revenue includes facility lettings through Schools Plus (3G pitch, gym, drama studios, classrooms) and PTA/Alumni donations for specific projects. Admissions are processed through Hertfordshire County Council's central portal, with a Published Admissions Number of 240 for Year 7, while Sixth Form admissions are managed internally. Customer segments are horizontally stratified: girls aged 11-16 (primary), students aged 16-18 (Sixth Form), parents/carers, and the wider St Albans community.

STAGS differentiates through consistent academic outcomes (90% GCSE grades 9-4 vs 67% national, 66% A-B at A Level vs 55% national), an Outstanding Ofsted rating (November 2024), a House system fostering community, comprehensive pastoral and wellbeing support, and a careers programme meeting all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks. Technology is operational rather than proprietary: third-party platforms (Google Classroom, Edulink) underpin the Blended Learning offer, and the school holds no patents, proprietary AI/ML systems, or disclosed APIs. The institution is governed by a local Governing Body under the AET structure and does not have traditional equity ownership.

Name

ST ALBANS GIRLS' SCHOOL

Legal name

St Albans Girls' School

Website

https://stags.herts.sch.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St Albans Girls' School (STAGS) is a state-funded secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, serving approximately 1,200-1,440 girls aged 11-18 within Ambition Education Trust, delivering GCSE and A Level programmes funded by the ESFA with a Published Admissions Number of 240 per year group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• State-funded academy
• Sixth form college
• GCSE A Level programmes
• Pastoral care services

Headquarters

HQ city

St Albans

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (LA): As a state-funded academy, STAGS receives its core funding through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), channelled via Ambition Education Trust. Funding is determined by student pupil numbers and local authority funding formulae.
2. Facility Lettings: School facilities are available to hire through Schools Plus lettings company, including classrooms, activity rooms, drama studios, multi-purpose rooms, sports facilities (3G pitch, gym, tennis/netball courts, football pitches), and the library. This generates supplementary non-educational revenue from the local community.
3. PTA and Alumni Donations: The STAGS PTA and Alumni Association (formerly Old Girls Association) raise funds for school projects. Alumni Association donated £1000 in 2025 for electronic devices for new pupils.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

STAGS delivers secondary education for girls aged 11-16 (Years 7-11) and co-educational Sixth Form education (Years 12-13) in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Core offerings include a broad and balanced curriculum across 30+ subjects, a Blended Learning Programme using Google Classroom and Edulink, a Careers Education Programme aligned with all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, and a comprehensive Personal Development and Student Support programme. The school's Published Admissions Number for Year 7 is 240, with provision for approximately 1,200-1,440 students across all year groups.

Product overview

St Albans Girls' School (STAGS) is a secondary school offering a comprehensive educational programme for students aged 11-18. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, complemented by a Blended Learning Programme that integrates technology (Google Classroom, Edulink) into lessons. Additional offerings include a Careers Education Programme aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks, a Personal Development Programme featuring Wellbeing and EDI days, STEAM initiatives, and student-led Eco Council activities. The school also provides extensive Student Support Services including pastoral care, counselling, and partnerships with external mental health services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Curriculum (Years 7-13) Broad and balanced curriculum for students aged 11-18 across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, covering 30+ subjects including Art & Design, Business, Computing, Drama, English, Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, and Vocational subjects, designed to enable all students to achieve their potential.
• Blended Learning Programme Technology-enhanced learning programme where students use their own devices in lessons to access Google Classroom, undertake live research, collaborate with peers, and complete home learning tasks via Edulink. Devices provided through the Albion Device Scheme (Chromebook with sleeve and stylus) or Bring Your Own Device programme.
• Careers Education Programme Seven-year careers learning journey implementing all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, including Careers Fair, Year 11 Mock Interview Day, Inspiring Women's Day networking event, Futures Days, work experience, and enterprise education for students in Years 7-13.
• Personal Development Programme Broad personal development opportunities including Wellbeing Day, Equality Diversity Inclusivity Day, enrichment activities, student leadership roles, and the Anti-Bullying Ambassador programme for students across all year groups.
• Student Support Services Pastoral care services including Student Support Hub, anti-bullying programmes, student wellbeing advisers, counselling services, and external support partnerships with The Sandbox (NHS-funded) and YouthTalk for students.
• STEAM Programme STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational programme promoting cross-curricular innovation and enterprise skills across STEM and creative disciplines for students at STAGS.
• Eco Council and Sustainability Programme Environmental sustainability initiative led by Year 12 Green Leaders with representatives from each form group, working towards Eco-Schools Green Flag Award and delivering initiatives including Green Fairies, KS3 Climate Change scheme of learning, and chalk stream restoration.
• Facility Hire through Schools Plus School facilities available for community hire through Schools Plus lettings company, including classrooms, activity rooms, drama studios, multi-purpose rooms, sports facilities (3G pitch, gym, tennis/netball courts, football pitches), and the library for sport, drama, martial arts, business meetings, birthday parties, conferences, and events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of STAGS students achieved grades 9-4 at GCSE vs 67% national average (2025)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• STAGS Alumni AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The STAGS Alumni Association (formerly Old Girls Association, formed 1922) provides ongoing engagement with former students who return as guest speakers at events, serve as mentors, and contribute fundraising donations. The Alumni Association funded specific projects including a lectern, bench, Millennium Clock, display cabinets, and a book vending machine, and donated £1000 in 2025 for electronic devices for new pupils. Celebrated the STAGS Centenary in 2021.
• Ambition Education Trust (AET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS is a member of Ambition Education Trust (AET), a Multi Academy Trust formed through the merger of ATLAS Multi Academy Trust and Alban Academies Trust. AET comprises 10 schools in Hertfordshire (3 primary, 1 infants, 1 junior, 5 secondary), educating over 7500 young people aged 3-18 with over 800 staff. The trust aims for 'Educational Excellence for All' and is committed to responsible and sustainable growth. STAGS Headteacher Paul Kershaw previously led School Improvement initiatives for ATLAS MAT until AET's formation in September 2024.
• Schools PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools Plus is the lettings company contracted to manage hire of STAGS facilities including sports facilities (3G pitch, gym, tennis courts), drama studios, classrooms, and event spaces. Contact: 0345 222 2323 or [email protected].
• Rotary Club of St. Albans PrioryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS has a long-running connection with the Rotary Club of St. Albans Priory, with a student-run STAGS Rotary Interact Club. Students in Years 10 and 11 take on leadership roles in the club. The school won the District Final of the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition (2026) and progresses to Regional Finals.
• Hertfordshire Services for Young PeopleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHertfordshire Services for Young People (formerly YC Hertfordshire) provides 1:1 impartial career guidance interviews for students in Years 9-13 with a Level 6 Qualified Careers Guidance Advisor, supporting STAGS's implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks.
• Ambition Education Trust Schools NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe 10 schools within AET are: Beech Hyde Primary School & Nursery, Garden Fields JMI School, Ridgeway Academy, Sandringham School, Skyswood Primary & Nursery School, St Albans Girls' School, The Adeyfield Academy, Verulam School, Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School, Wheatfields Junior School. STAGS collaborates with these schools on shared initiatives, events (e.g., Anti-Bullying Conference with The Adeyfield Academy), and trust-wide policies.
• Oaklands College and West Herts CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS works closely with Oaklands College and West Herts College so that students are fully aware of all the further education and training opportunities available to them locally. Representatives from these colleges deliver assemblies to Years 9, 10, and 11 and attend the Year 11 Explorer Event.
• St Albans CathedralminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS has extensive links with St Albans Cathedral, including hosting the annual Christmas Service at the Cathedral. Students build connections with local primary schools through teaching Spanish and work experience placements.
• St Albans and Hertsmere Women's Refuge and St Albans and District FoodbankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS is a proud supporter of these local charities, regularly leading fundraising events and food bank drives. House charities are selected by students and reflect support for both local community and wider causes.
• Herts for Learning - Great Representations ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS participates in the Great Representations project with Herts for Learning, a county-wide initiative to discuss, debate, and share best practice around Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) with schools across Hertfordshire. The project supports embedding EDI throughout every facet of the school community.
• The Sandbox (NHS-funded)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sandbox is an NHS-funded service supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing across Hertfordshire. STAGS signposts students to this service as part of its comprehensive pastoral support network.
• YouthTalkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouthTalk is a counselling service for 13-25 year olds in the St Albans district, founded in 1997. Over 2100 young people have used the service, with around 190 seen each year. STAGS signposts students to this service, which operates on a self-referral basis from its town centre location.
• The Diana AwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS works with The Diana Award on anti-bullying initiatives. Year 8 Anti-Bullying Captains received training through The Diana Anti-Bullying Award system, and the school continues to work with The Diana Award to develop leadership of Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
• Career and Enterprise CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAGS works with the Careers and Enterprise Company and has an Enterprise Advisor who reviews the school's Careers, Employability and Enterprise provision to ensure full compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks and Provider Access Legislation. The company also provides the Compass+ tool for benchmarking.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tiffin School: A top-performing state grammar school for boys in Kingston, consistently ranked among England's highest-performing state schools. It provides a national benchmark for academic excellence in state-funded secondary education.
• Sandringham School: A fellow AET state secondary school in St Albans serving a similar demographic with comparable academic standards. As a same-trust peer, it shares governance, curriculum frameworks, and resource pooling with STAGS, making it the most direct comparator.
• Verulam School: A fellow AET boys' secondary school in St Albans, providing direct comparative insight on trust-wide academic performance and operating models. It shares governance and central services with STAGS.
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls: A state grammar school for girls in Essex, serving a comparable demographic of high-achieving students. It offers a regional benchmark for girls' state school performance and academic outcomes.
• Queen Elizabeth's School: A top-performing state boys' grammar school in Barnet, one of the highest-performing state schools nationally. It provides a benchmark for single-sex state school academic outcomes and university destinations.
• Henrietta Barnett School: A top-performing state grammar school for girls in north London, consistently rated among the highest-performing state schools in England. It serves as a national benchmark for girls' state school academic excellence and outcomes.
• The Adeyfield Academy: A fellow AET secondary school in Hemel Hempstead. As a same-trust peer, it shares central services, governance, and strategic initiatives including the Anti-Bullying Conference operated jointly with STAGS.
• Ridgeway Academy: A fellow AET secondary school. As a same-trust peer, it offers a direct comparison on student outcomes, curriculum design, and operational efficiency within the AET network of ten schools.

Emerging players

• North London Collegiate School: A top independent girls' day school in London with outstanding international examination results. As a high-performing independent girls' school, it provides a national benchmark for excellence in single-sex secondary education.
• St Albans High School for Girls: An independent girls' day school in St Albans serving the same local market with a similar single-sex educational model. While independent rather than state-funded, it competes for the same high-achieving families in the same catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/STAGS.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/st-albans-girls'-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/stalbansgirlsschool_stags

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ST ALBANS GIRLS' SCHOOL