Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Outstanding

Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School is a secondary school in St Albans for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 4th of 9 secondary schools in St Albans. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 November 2023, report published 18 January 2024

Overall effectiveness: Outstanding
Quality of education: Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership and management: Outstanding
Sixth form provision: Outstanding
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

175 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score56.4

56.4, 10.3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths64.6%

64.6%, 19.2 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths82.9%

82.9%, 18.1 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc80.6%

80.6%, 40.1 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.28

5.28, 1.19 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

77 students

Average point score per A level entry35.77

35.77, 0.77 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,134 pupils on roll, with places for 1,056

Eligible for free school meals11.6%

11.6%, 14.9 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language31.2%

31.2%, 9.6 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14%

14%, 0.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.7%

3.7%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Beaumont School	0.7 miles	Ofsted judgements: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 62.6
Samuel Ryder Academy	1 mile	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Attainment 8: 56.5
Verulam School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 52.5
Loreto College	2 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	Attainment 8: 58.3
Sandringham School	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 65.1

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: THE DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER ACADEMY TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Religious character: Roman Catholic
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Andy Dunne
Phone: 01727860079
Website: nbs.herts.sch.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT
Local authority: Hertfordshire
URN: 137938

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.