St. Alban's School of Art

The School began life in 1890 as the St. Albans School of Art, but by 1906, the name had changed to the St. Albans School of Art and Craft, following a report from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools which stated that the School had a 'sound curriculum' and 'well-qualified staff' with 'good, careful, and painstaking teaching'. The original curriculum ran a Foundation Course during the day and in the evenings, for both adults and juveniles. This course was regarded as a 'feeder' to prestigious London schools such as Chelsea School of Art, Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts, Slade School of Fine Art, and to other regional city schools.

Fast-forward to the early 1970's when art and design education began to see radical changes as independent regional art schools were brought into either the university or polytechnic management systems. Following this, the courses offered by the School were moved to a new, purpose-built school on Hatfield Road in St. Albans in 1973. It was subsequently known as Hertfordshire College of Art and Design and its foundation course enjoys a high level of regard as a feeder college to higher levels of art and craft-related education as previously stated.

Alumni and staff include David Gentleman, Leslie Anne Ivory, Maurice Feild, Ron Maddox, William Mason, Patrick Symonds, Richard Smith and Gordon House.