11 Aug 2025
In today’s world, heritage education is a well-established part of school life — but rewind to 1984, and St Albans Cathedral was blazing a trail. That year saw the birth of a bold new idea: the creation of an Education Centre, the very first dedicated learning space of its kind within a British cathedral.
Spearheaded by the visionary Rev Colin Slee, Sub-Dean from 1982 to 1994, the mission was clear — to welcome schoolchildren from across the diocese and beyond, sharing with them the remarkable story of Alban, the ancient history of the building, and its enduring role as a place of Christian worship.
Forty years on, that vision has blossomed into something extraordinary. More than half a million young learners have passed through the Cathedral’s doors – a legacy Rev Slee could scarcely have imagined.
Before 1984, school visits to the Cathedral were certainly welcomed, but the opening of the Education Centre – complete with its first dedicated teaching team – enabled a more focused and immersive learning experience. Suddenly, the Cathedral could accommodate larger groups and offer deeper, curriculum-linked exploration.
In its earliest days, the Centre was housed in the modest Blundell Room — a quirky hexagonal structure tucked away in the south churchyard. It lacked modern comforts (no toilets, unreliable heating, zero drainage, roaming squirrels, damp walls, and barely any windows), but its charm was undeniable. More importantly, it didn’t stop thousands of enthusiastic children from visiting.
Fast forward to 2019 and the opening of a state-of-the-art Learning Centre in the Chapter House, part of the ‘Alban, Britain’s First Saint’ project. Despite a rocky start – the launch was abruptly overshadowed by the pandemic – the Learning Department quickly adapted, delivering virtual sessions to pupils as far afield as Spain.
Post-Covid recovery took time, but the department’s reputation for exceptional education never wavered.
Today, the numbers speak volumes: a record-breaking 14,500 children have visited this year alone – not including their teachers and helpers – making this 40th anniversary even more remarkable.
From dressing up as Roman soldiers to crafting clay tiles and exploring medieval pilgrimage, many of the early workshops remain popular today, lovingly updated to meet the latest curriculum standards. And while the formats may have evolved, the joy on a child’s face as they experience the Cathedral’s magic for the first time hasn’t changed a bit.
The accolades have followed, too. In 1986, the Education Centre received its first Sandford Award for Heritage Learning – and has gone on to win an impressive total of seven, more than any other site in England. One assessor praised the team’s “outstanding” programmes,
adding: “Teachers can be confident their pupils will be totally engaged and inspired.”
Of course, the Cathedral itself remains the showstopper. As the home of the shrine of St Alban, Britain’s first saint and martyr, it continues to spark awe and wonder. One young
visitor summed it up perfectly, gasping, “Flipping ’eck Colin, this is awesome!”
Over the decades, the Learning Department has grown and diversified. From nursery children to university students, learners of all ages have taken part in dynamic workshops, festivals, and special events. This anniversary year alone saw a visit from bestselling author Cressida Cowell, Roman and Science Festivals, Holocaust Memorial Day activities, a mobile Planetarium, and two unforgettable Electric Umbrella concerts.
The 40th anniversary celebration was a truly special moment. Around 400 local pupils attended – many from schools that had worked with the Centre back in its earliest days – alongside former Education Officers and long-serving volunteers, some of whom have been welcoming schools for over 30 years.
Partnerships have been crucial to the Centre’s success. Over the years, collaborators have included the University of Hertfordshire, St Albans Diocesan Schools Team, St Albans Museum + Gallery, St Albans Masorti Synagogue, Oaklands College, Mad Science, local graffiti artist Ant Steel, and many more. The Cathedral also runs an Adult Learning
programme, now in its 50th year, offering courses and lectures for A-level and university students, as well as the wider community.
The Learning Department also oversees a Community Learning Programme, the Archives and the Library too.
The current Learning Team – Claire, Hillary, Rachel, and Steve – share over 40 years of combined experience.
As education officer Steve Clarke reflects: “It’s a privilege to welcome so many children to the Cathedral. You don’t just manage this department – you’re a custodian, developing it for the next generation. What better job could there be?”
Rachel Rimmer, a staff teacher for over 10 years, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with thousands of children in the most beautiful classroom that is the Cathedral. The diversity of the school groups makes it particularly special. My biggest wow is seeing and hearing the exclamations of children who have never visited before when they first enter the Church. Awe and wonder on the doorstep!”
Volunteer Joanna Nolan said: “When I started volunteering with the Learning Department I quickly realised that no two sessions would ever be the same.
“Nothing prepares one for the excitement and wonder of those children coming into the Cathedral for the first time. The audible gasps and “wows” as they look around and begin to take in the Cathedral and its history. The historic trails that the Learning Department put together are full of history, quirky facts and sheer enthusiasm that scoop the children up into a costumed time capsule of Roman Britain, Saxon Peasantry or Medieval Monastery to name but a few. “
As for the team – it’s not unusual to find a couple of Roman Slaves and a Saxon all sitting in front of their computers!
“My best moment this year was being stopped by a member of the public whilst escorting a group of children through the cathedral doing a Victorian School Room experience and being asked, ‘Is there a Mary Poppins convention on?’!”
Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev’d Jo Kelly-Moore, added: “For 40 years, our Learning Department has played a vital role in the life of St Albans Cathedral, welcoming generations of children and young people to explore faith, history, and heritage in engaging and imaginative ways. This year alone, over 14,500 students have come through our doors — a record-breaking number in the department’s busiest year yet. We are deeply proud of the team’s work and legacy, and look forward to building on this remarkable foundation in the years ahead.”
With thousands of pupils already booked in for 2025–26, the future of learning at St Albans Cathedral looks as bright as ever. Will it still be welcoming children in another 40 years? We certainly hope so.
Interested in getting involved? The Learning Team is always looking for new volunteers – no teaching experience required! Contact Steve at steve.clarke@stalbanscathedral.org to find out more.
To find out more about schools visits and what the Learning Department has to offer, click here.
