St Columba’s College in St Albans has announced that Karl Guest will be the new Head from September 2023, and the school has just been rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas

St Columba’s College in St Albans has announced a new Head, appointing Karl Guest, current Head of Alton School in Alton, Hampshire. Guest will take up his duties at the co-educational independent Catholic school on 1 September 2023, but will be visiting and staying in touch throughout the next academic year.

Current Head David Buxton has stepped down from St Columba’s at the end of this academic year after 14 years at the helm. David Shannon-Little will now serve as Interim Head. Chair of the Board of Governors, Kevin McGovern says: “I am delighted to announce Karl’s appointment, and we are fortunate to have in David Shannon-Little a hugely experienced and able Interim Head”.

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Karl Guest takes up his new role at St Columba’s in September 2023, photo courtesy Alton School, Hampshire

Karl Guest was born and brought up in South London and was educated by the De La Salle Brothers. After more than a decade working in various school environments, including overseas in Australia, Karl spent seven years as Deputy Head of Sydenham High School in London before taking up his first Headship at Alton School in April 2020. 

In other news, St Columba’s College has recently been recognised as fully compliant and ‘Excellent’ in all areas in its latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report, The inspectors’ key findings are that the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is Excellent. The quality of the pupils’ development is Excellent. This judgement represents the highest possible outcome that any school can achieve.

St Columba’s College stcolumbascollege.org

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