Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Catholic Tradition

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School occupies a prominent position on Queen's Road, where the red-brick heritage of its foundations meets the modern educational demands of an all-girls secondary and co-educational sixth form. As a Catholic school, it serves a diverse community across Essex, blending a deep-rooted religious ethos with academic results that consistently place it among the top-performing state schools in the region. The school's most recent GCSE outcomes are particularly striking, ranking it in the top 15% of schools in England.

The current head teacher, Maria Freeman, has led the school since 2023, following her tenure as deputy head. However, the school is currently in a period of leadership transition, with a search underway for a new head teacher to start in September 2026 following the upcoming retirement of the current leadership. The school operates as a member of the Ursuline Academy Trust, maintaining the legacy of St Angela Merici. With a capacity for over 1,000 students, it manages to feel like a close-knit community while offering the curriculum breadth of a large secondary institution.

The atmosphere at Brentwood Ursuline is defined by its Catholic identity and the Ursuline tradition of Serviam (I will serve). This motto is not merely a historical artifact; it is integrated into daily life through charity work, liturgy, and the way students interact. There is a palpable sense of purpose in the corridors, where the expectations for conduct are high and the relationship between staff and students is built on mutual respect.

Physically, the school is a mixture of traditional architecture and modern additions, such as the specialist science labs and a new, state-of-the-art Sixth Form Block due for completion in 2026. The presence of the chapel at the heart of the site provides a quiet space for reflection, reinforcing the school's spiritual focus. Students appear genuinely comfortable here, benefiting from an environment that celebrates female achievement and leadership.

Academic performance at Brentwood Ursuline is a significant draw for local families. In the most recent validated data, the school achieved an exceptional Progress 8 score of +1.01. This indicates that students here make, on average, a full grade more progress in each subject than their peers across England with similar starting points.

Ranked 658th in England and 2nd in Brentwood for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits comfortably in the top 15% of schools in England (national strong band). In 2025, the school reported that 92.8% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics, while 28.9% achieved the top grades of 9 to 7 in both subjects.

At A-level, the performance is also robust. The school ranks 3rd in Brentwood for post-16 outcomes, with over 54% of A-level results reaching the A* to B bracket. This solid performance places the sixth form in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), outperforming many local co-educational alternatives.

The curriculum is designed to be both ambitious and inclusive. At Key Stage 3, students follow a broad range of subjects, with a strong emphasis on the core disciplines. The school’s commitment to the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is evident, with an EBacc average point score of 5.73, well above the England average of 4.08.

Teachers are subject specialists who utilize clear structures to facilitate learning. The latest Ofsted report, dated March 2023, awarded the school a Good rating overall, but specifically rated the Quality of Education and Behaviour and Attitudes as Outstanding. This reflects the high academic expectations and the focused, scholarly environment found in classrooms.

Where Students Go Next

The school operates an effective university pipeline. For the most recent leavers' cohort, 73% of students progressed to university, with 5% choosing higher-level apprenticeships and 12% entering employment.

The sixth form provides dedicated support for elite applications. In the measurement period, four students applied to the University of Cambridge, with one student successfully securing and accepting an offer. The school also sees a high proportion of students progressing to Russell Group institutions, particularly for courses in the humanities, social sciences, and healthcare.

Securing a place at Brentwood Ursuline is a competitive process. As a Catholic school, the admissions criteria prioritize baptised Catholic children, particularly those from feeder parishes. In recent years, the school has been significantly oversubscribed, receiving 457 applications for 175 places, a ratio of more than 2.6 applicants for every available seat.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their proximity to the school, though it is vital to note that for many faith-based schools, religious criteria take precedence over distance. For Year 7 entry in 2026, the application deadline is 31 October 2025. Families must complete both the Local Authority Common Application Form and the school's own Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to be considered under faith criteria. Up to 17 places are also offered on the basis of musical aptitude, with tests typically occurring in the autumn term.

The school’s pastoral system is well-regarded and deeply influenced by its religious character. Each student is part of a form group that stays together through the years, overseen by a form tutor and a head of year. This provides a consistent point of contact for both students and parents.

Safeguarding is a clear strength, and external observations confirm that students feel safe and well-supported. The school offers various layers of support, from peer mentoring to professional counseling services. The Serviam ethos encourages students to look out for one another, fostering a supportive peer culture that mitigates the pressures of a high-achieving environment.

The extracurricular life at Brentwood Ursuline is varied and active. Music and drama are particularly strong, with regular performances ranging from liturgical music to whole-school musicals.

STEM: Innovation and Competition

The school encourages girls to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Specific programs include the Robotics Club and participation in UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Challenges. The science department organizes regular trips and hosts visiting speakers to highlight career pathways in medicine and engineering.

Other notable clubs include the Debating Society, the Ursuline Student Council, and a range of sporting teams including netball, athletics, and swimming. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award at both Bronze and Silver levels, which is highly popular among students in Years 9 and 10.

The school day begins at 8:45 am for registration and concludes at 3:15 pm. While the school does not run a formal breakfast club, the building is open from 8:15 am, and the library provides a space for study before and after sessions.

Brentwood Ursuline is conveniently located within walking distance of Brentwood railway station (Elizabeth Line), making it accessible for students traveling from across Essex and parts of East London. There is no on-site parking for visitors, but public transport links are excellent.

Fees & Financial Aid

Brentwood Ursuline is a state-funded academy, meaning there are no tuition fees for students. However, as is common with many Voluntary Aided or Catholic academy schools, parents are often invited to make a voluntary contribution to the School Building Fund to assist with the upkeep and development of its historic and modern facilities.

The school provides all essential learning resources, but parents are responsible for costs associated with school uniform, optional trips, and peripatetic music lessons. Financial support may be available for families eligible for the 16-19 Bursary Fund to assist with the costs of staying in education after age 16.

• Faith Commitment: The school’s Catholic identity is central to its operation. Families should expect regular prayer, Mass attendance, and a curriculum that reflects Gospel values. This environment is deeply rewarding for those seeking a faith-based education but may not suit those looking for a secular experience.
• Oversubscription: With over 2.5 applications per place, entry is fiercely competitive. Families who do not meet the higher-tier faith criteria may find it difficult to secure a place, even if they live in close proximity to the school.
• Leadership Transition: With the head teacher set to retire in 2026, the school is entering a period of change. While the governors are seeking a committed leader to maintain the school's high standards, families should stay informed about the appointment process.

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School provides an exceptional balance of academic rigour and spiritual guidance. Its GCSE results are among the best in the county, and its Progress 8 score indicates that students of all abilities are helped to exceed expectations. Best suited to Catholic families who value a traditional, high-achieving, all-girls environment. The main challenge is the high level of competition for places. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist and compare local alternatives.