Grays Convent High School

Grays Convent High School is an 11-16 Catholic school for girls in Grays Essex.  With a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) of 620.  We currently have three year groups with 150 pupils and a temporary admission number of 680, having taken ‘ bulge’ classes due to local growth.

Grays Convent is not just a school; it's a part of a larger global community. Our commitment to a global perspective is reflected in our diverse student body.  We believe in empowering young women to discover and realise their full potential, preparing them for a connected world.

The school is very diverse with a high number of girls from groups other than White UK, 70%, reflecting the multi-ethnic diversity of our locality, and a higher than average number of pupils with EAL. Our staff are representative of this diversity.

Grays Convent High School is entrusted by the Congregation of La Sainte Union, which was founded in northern France in 1826 by Father Jean Baptiste de Brabant, in response to great social needs after the French Revolution. Today, the union’s Sisters minister in 13 countries around the world.

Grays Convent High School was opened in its earliest form in 1899. The original Grays Convent located next to the school has since been converted into a conference centre.

Headteacher 

Penny Johnson

Our Mission Statement

At Grays Convent, we embrace our Catholic ethos. We were founded by the La Sainte Union Sisters. Our mission statement locates us firmly in our faith. We foster a caring and accepting community where learning thrives.

We recognise the value of each individual as a gift from God to the world. We are a Catholic school founded by the La Sainte Union Sisters and our ethos is one of unity, prayer, worship, service and work. We strive to follow the example of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary by enabling learning to take place in a caring and accepting community. We are blessed by Jesus the Good Shepherd, try to follow him in everything that we do, and in doing so make the most of our God given talents. We are one with God.

‘Inspiring ambition and achieving excellence’ is our mission.  At Grays Convent High School our first-rate examination and progress results demonstrate that high quality teaching and learning are at the heart of what we do.

We believe at Grays Convent that if the relationships and values are right, then all else will follow. With ‘outstanding behaviour for learning’ we know that pupils are at their happiest working hard for teachers they like and respect. Our most recent Ofsted identified that ‘Pupils enjoy attending this school. They feel part of a supportive family where relationships are very strong between pupils and staff.’

Our close knit small-school community means that every girl can be known as an individual and we combine high ambitions for academic achievement with an emphasis on personal growth and vibrant extra-curricular learning.

Ofsted report

This school continues to be good.

The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the previous inspection.

Since your appointment as headteacher in April 2014, you have worked relentlessly to establish high expectations among staff and pupils. You lead the school by setting the highest example, insisting on complete integrity in the work of your staff and leaders. Your dedicated and skilled governing body work alongside you diligently to continue to raise standards and expectations in the school and community. Most pupils and parents are glowing in their praise for the school. As one pupil told inspectors, ‘The whole school is like a family.’

View  our Ofsted report below