Saint Ambrose College

About the School

Saint Ambrose College is a Catholic, state funded Independent Grammar School with a selective intake. As a state funded school, there are no fees. Saint Ambrose College is one of eleven schools in England in the Edmund Rice Schools Network and also have ties with the global Edmund Rice community. Despite its independent status, they enjoy strong relationships and partnerships within the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

Saint Ambrose is first and foremost a Catholic College shaped in the vision and charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and staff endeavour to reflect the 8 Essentials of Edmund Rice education in all that they do.

Students are actively involved in the liturgical life of the college and develop their faith and spirituality through liturgical celebration. All boys have the opportunity to take part in retreats during their time at St Ambrose and Mass is celebrated in the atrium every Thursday morning. Through the Edmund Rice International Group, Justice and Peace Group and other charitable and immersion opportunities, the boys ensure that the Essentials of Edmund Rice education relating to compassion and concern for others are visible in daily College life.

Saint Ambrose College is rich in extra-curricular activities. Staff believe that there truly is something for everyone. The main team sports are rugby, athletics, cricket, and water polo, but beyond sport there are numerous other activities and clubs to participate in including the always popular Politics Society, the full suite of Duke of Edinburgh awards and thriving Creative Arts societies including a range of music clubs to name but a few. At St Ambrose College, they believe in a broad curriculum offer to ensure that the boys ‘have life to the full’ and this is reflected in the opportunities to engage with opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Saint Ambrose College is fortunate to have the facilities they have on site including a state of the art Sports Hall, full 4G pitch, Lecture Theatre and a top class Swimming Pool.

Saint Ambrose College has a prominent house system with students split in to 4 houses; Aquinas (blue), Augustine (Green), Ignatius (red) and Newman (Yellow). There is a competitive element to the house system and boys are proud of the houses they represent. All students have a designated Form Tutor and Head of Year. Additional pastoral support comes through a Student Welfare Manager and an age appropriate, targeted PSHCE programme. Staff are firmly of the belief that healthy minds and positive mental health are essential for everyone to be able to fulfil its Mission Statement and ensure that boys are ‘equipped to make a positive difference in the modern world’

There are over 1000 boys on the College roll, including over 200 gentlemen in the Sixth Form. Saint Ambrose College is proud to say that they proceed to a range of third level opportunities, particularly to Russell Group universities and a number to Oxford and Cambridge. NEET figures evidence the strong Careers Education and guidance in place. Staff celebrate the achievements of all boys annually through different awards evenings for different key stages.

Saint Ambrose College was rated ‘Good’ in a most recent OFSTED report in February 2020 and is rated as 'Outstanding' in a most recent denominational inspection in December 2021. The OFSTED rating of ‘Good’ is one staff agreed with at the time given that we were in the early stages of making changes to the curriculum as well as changing how PSHCE was to be delivered.

Examination results place Saint Ambrose College amongst the highest achieving schools in the country in terms of attainment with average GCSE grades being around 7. In terms of progress, GCSE Progress 8 is consistently around 0.5 and Saint Ambrose College has a track record of positive value added in 6th Form.

To arrange a visit to our College please contact: admissions@st-ambrosecollege.org.uk.