St Edmund's College
School summary
Tracing its origins to 1564, St Edmund's College is one of England's older Catholic foundations, now a mixed independent school in Ware welcoming pupils from age three through to the sixth form. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it good overall, while singling out personal development as excellent and confirming that all compliance standards were met. The Catholic ethos sits at the heart of school life, and a strong sixth form of 164 pupils suggests families often stay for the long haul. With around 14.5% of pupils on SEN support, the College is used to working with a range of learning needs.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
53%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
36%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
66%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 7 November 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit comfortably above the national picture: 53% of GCSE entries reached grades 9-7, more than double the national average of 23%, and at A-level 36% earned A*-A against a national figure of 28%. The sciences and mathematics are clearly popular, with Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology all well represented alongside humanities such as History and Economics. Pupils can also take the EPQ, giving an extra avenue for independent research before university.
GCSE subjects
Head · Steven Cartwright
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 164
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span academic, music, art, sport and all-rounder routes, pointing to a school that values achievement well beyond the classroom. Creative and performance subjects including Drama, Music and Art and Design feature strongly at GCSE, reflecting genuine breadth on offer.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1564
- Religious character
- Catholic
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 14.54%
- EHC plans
- 0.13%
Mobile phone policy
All devices not student's classroom device kept in locker during school day. Phones confiscated if used and returned at 4.30pm. Pupils must not capture media without consent or post without consent.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £17,316 - £24,156
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £33,516 - £50,256
Schools nearby
Bishop's Stortford College
Bishop's Stortford, East of England
Hertford Prep
Hertford, East of England
East Hall School
Hitchin, East of England
St Christopher School
Letchworth Garden City, East of England
Kingshott School
Hitchin, East of England
St Francis College
Letchworth Garden City, East of England
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Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A long-established Catholic school with results well ahead of national averages and a notably strong sixth form. Day fees run from £17,316 to £24,156, so it rewards families looking for an academic, faith-rooted education.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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St Edmund's College 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.