Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Develop your career by joining a school which truly invests in all its staff.

Brentwood Ursuline is a successful, exceptional school which treasures its historic buildings and traditions, but which combines this with recent investment that has enabled us to continue providing an excellent educational environment to both staff and students.

Brentwood Ursuline is a high-achieving, well-regarded and oversubscribed secondary school. In 2023, Key Stage 4 students achieved exceptionally well with 83% of students securing a GCSE grade of 4 or above in both English and Maths.  Additionally, our Progress 8 score was +1.07, making us the top performing comprehensive school in Essex. Students at KS5 continue to secure excellent outcomes at both A Level and in Level 3 vocational subjects. Students have access to an extensive extra-curricular programme which all staff are encouraged to participate in.

Every member of the teaching staff is provided with an induction programme to support and enhance teaching and learning and have access to excellent programmes of professional development overseen by a dedicated member of SLT. We currently have seven members of staff enrolled on National Professional Qualifications at different levels and we run a secondment to SLT each year.

We have an excellent record of internal career progression and promotion for our staff – for example 2 recent AHT posts were filled internally and we pro-actively seek to advertise vacancies internally.

Further details of vacancies and the school are available from the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Freeman, either by email: mfreeman@buchs.co.uk , telephone number 01277 238005 or via the school’s website www.brentwoodursuline.co.uk

What our staff say about us:

"A traditional, yet aspirational environment rooted in a Catholic ethos: Brentwood Ursuline strives to educate students who are independent, creative and morally sound. Fundamentally, the girls want to succeed for themselves, support one another and enrich their knowledge. Teaching English and Drama here has allowed me to challenge not only the resilient and hard-working pupils, but also my own practice; ensuring these young women reach their potential. "

"I started working at BUCHS at the start of this academic year as a teacher of Maths. Staff are friendly and helpful and this enabled me to settle quickly into my role. BUCHS has a clear ethos and students, regardless of their background, work with the teachers to ensure they can be the best that they can be. Many events take place at BUCHS and the highlight so far has been the whole school Sponsored Walk which enabled me to get to know the students in my form far more quickly than I would have done if this event hadn't take place!"

About Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School is a Roman Catholic state secondary for girls aged 11-16 with a co-educational Sixth Form, situated in Brentwood, Essex. In 2012 it became an academy; the Bishop, the chair of governors and the Diocesan directors are the trustees.

The school was founded in 1900 by Mother Clare, the first Superior of the Brentwood Ursulines. It was established as two schools – St Philomena’s, for poorer children, and St Mary’s – which merged in 1918. As the school grew, new buildings were added. Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School now has nearly 1,200 pupils, of which 190 are sixth-form students.

Headteacher

Dr Richard Wilkin

Values and vision

The motto of the school is "Duty" and its mission is to create a Christian environment in which each student can grow in personality, relationships and skill. The school aims to support pupils to reach their full potential, while ensuring that they are pleasing themselves and God.

Ofsted report

In 2023 Ofsted described us as a good school in which "pupils develop strong levels of self-motivation in their learning" and achieve "exceptionally well" and also as a school which has "effective strategies, valued by staff, to support staff well-being". Quality of Education and Behaviour and attitudes were graded Outstanding.

View Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School’s 2023 Ofsted report