1. Why have the governors of STAHS and Stormont decided to make this change?
STAHS and Stormont have a decades-long relationship and already share significant commonality in their ethos and vision with STAHS a long-established 11+ destination of choice for Stormont leavers. The merger brings together two similar institutions to operate under one umbrella, sharing support, expertise and resources to create a new education group that aims to capitalise on their individual expertise and knowledge. St Albans Education Group will build on the existing excellent standards of its founding institutions and provide top quality education and pastoral care to pupils in Hertfordshire for years to come.
2. Will Stormont School, STAHS Prep and STAHS Senior have the same entry requirements?
STAHS and Stormont will maintain their distinct identities and will each be responsible for their own entry requirements, as they are now.
3. Will pupils from STAHS Prep still be entitled to automatic transition to STAHS Senior at 11+?
There will be no change to the process for transition from STAHS Prep to the Senior School. Each year, most pupils from the Prep School take up their places in the Senior School for Year 7 and we expect that to continue.
4. Will pupils from Stormont School be entitled to automatic transition to STAHS Senior at 11+?
Stormont will continue to support its girls in preparing for entry to a broad range of schools and ensure that every girl finds just the right fit for her onward educational journey. Those considering progressing to STAHS from Stormont will follow the usual entry process.
5. Will the school leadership remain the same at all three schools?
We recognise that Stormont and STAHS while sharing a vision and ethos, also have their own individual characters. Both schools will retain their distinct feel, and will be the responsibility of their own head teacher supported by existing leadership teams. Louise Martin will remain Head of Stormont, Mike Bryant will remain Head of STAHS Prep, and Drew Thomson-Jones has been appointed Acting Head of STAHS Senior from September 2024 whilst we recruit a permanent Head of Senior.
St Albans Education Group will be led by Amber Waite, currently Head of STAHS, who will take up the new post of Principal of the St Albans Education Group and lead the Executive Team. Amber will oversee the merger from an operational perspective and, to ensure the schools thrive within the new structure, will be responsible for delivering the strategic plan while ensuring each school delivers theirs.
We are happy to help with any other questions, please contact us by emailing rhodgins@stormontschool.org.
