STAHS Prep

Three independent girls’ schools in Hertfordshire are merging in September: St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS), STAHS Prep and Stormont School, an independent girls’ prep school in Potters Bar.

The newly formed entity will become the St Albans Education Group.

In a statement the schools said they have “enjoyed a decades-long relationship, and the merger provides an exciting opportunity to further develop… already close ties through a more formal partnership, widening opportunities for all three schools”.

The new group will be led by STAHS’ head, Amber Waite, as founding principal. She will be supported by Drew Thomson-Jones as acting head of senior, Mike Bryant, who will continue as head of STAHS Prep, and Louise Martin who will remain as head of Stormont School.

Martin said: “This is an exciting new chapter in both our schools’ histories. At a time when independent schools face greater challenges than ever before, we are bringing together two similar institutions to operate under one umbrella, sharing support, expertise and resources to continue, and continue to improve, the outstanding educational opportunities we deliver for all our pupils.”

Waite added: “With both STAHS and Stormont in good financial health, the St Alban Education Group’s focus will be on the development of a new, group-wide development strategy to ensure that each school continues to offer a world-class girls’ education in top-quality, purpose-built facilities that support their academic, social, and co-curricular development and all-round wellbeing.”