St Angela's Ursuline School Review 2026: 163 Years of Educational Excellence

In February 1862, four sisters of the Ursuline order sailed from Belgium and arrived at Victoria Dock, beginning an extraordinary educational mission that continues today. That semi-detached house with a large garden in Forest Gate has evolved into one of East London's most respected Catholic schools, where over 1,300 girls aged 11–18 study in a thriving, multicultural community. The Ofsted inspection in November 2022 awarded the school Outstanding across every area, from teaching quality to leadership. Academically, results consistently place St Angela's in the top tier: GCSE performance ranks it 6th in Newham and 722nd in England (FindMySchool ranking), while Progress 8 scores of +0.34 indicate pupils make above-average progress from their starting points. The school's motto, Serviam (I shall serve), shapes everything from pastoral care to community engagement, attracting families from across London who value rigorous academics paired with genuine religious character.

The campus tells a story of growth and renewal. Historic red-brick buildings from the 1860s stand alongside modern facilities like the Desenzano Study Centre, a state-of-the-art sixth form building opened in 2017. On entry to St George's Road, you notice immediate order: girls move purposefully between lessons, staff greet students by name, and the chapel bells mark the school day. This is not an environment where discipline is punitive; rather, it reflects high expectations that students clearly respect.

Mr Mark Johnson leads the school as Headteacher. Under his direction, the Catholic ethos remains authentic and pervasive without feeling exclusionary. Daily Mass, weekly whole-school assemblies, and explicit religious teaching are features parents either embrace or should carefully consider. The school population is remarkably diverse: 95% come from ethnic minorities, reflecting the borough's demographics and the Catholic Church's global mission. Filipino, Afro-Caribbean, Indian, Sri Lankan, Latino, and African heritage students create a genuinely international atmosphere, where girls encounter and celebrate different cultures daily.

The physical environment has been thoughtfully maintained and upgraded. The Merici block, dating from the 1940s, houses classrooms; more recent additions include specialist art, music, and science facilities. The TLC (Teaching and Learning Centre) library offers extensive resources, while the recently refurbished dining facility now operates under the Innovate catering partnership. A mature tulip tree, present since the school's founding, still stands on the grounds, a living reminder of continuity.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, 57% of pupils achieved Attainment 8 scores of 5 or above in English and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 46%. The school ranks 6th among Newham's secondary schools and 722nd in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably in the top 25%. This means St Angela's outperforms roughly three-quarters of state schools across the country.

Breaking this down further: 37% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9–7, and 61% achieved grades 9–7 combined with grade 7. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry rate stands at 28%, with average EBacc points slightly exceeding the England average. These figures reflect a consistent curriculum where languages, sciences, and humanities remain central, not afterthoughts.

The Progress 8 score of +0.34 is particularly significant. This metric measures how much progress pupils make between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, controlling for their baseline attainment. A positive score indicates above-average progress; St Angela's pupils make more progress than similar peers elsewhere, suggesting effective teaching and intervention.

A-Level Performance

Results at A-level reveal slightly different patterns. In 2024, 63% of grades achieved A*–B, marginally above the England average of 47%. The school ranks 769th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national typical performance band (25th–60th percentile). This is a solid position, reflecting a sixth form that stretches able students without pursuing pure academic selectivity.

49% of grades reached A*/A, indicating strong performance at the highest tier. The breadth of A-level offerings, spanning sciences, humanities, languages, and vocational qualifications, allows girls to pursue diverse interests. Nearly 400 students occupy the sixth form, with approximately two-thirds female despite co-education at this level, reflecting the school's reputation as a girls' school that welcomes boys in the post-16 phase.

The 2022 Ofsted report highlighted quality of education as Outstanding, noting that "teachers have expert subject knowledge and pupils develop a deep understanding of concepts." The curriculum follows the national framework while integrating Catholic theology throughout. Religious education extends beyond doctrine to encompass ethics, comparative religion, and philosophy, respecting the school's faith character while fostering intellectual curiosity.

Science is taught as three separate GCSEs (biology, chemistry, physics), emphasizing specialist knowledge. Languages remain prominent: French and Spanish are offered to all pupils, with options extending to Italian and Mandarin in some year groups. The use of university-style teaching methods in subjects like English Literature and History prepares students for higher education while building engagement.

Pupil-teacher ratios are exceptionally low at approximately 13.7:1, enabling teachers to know students individually. This matters not just for academic progress but for pastoral oversight. The school's focus on independent study skills, explicitly developed in the sixth form through the Desenzano Study Centre and mentoring, ensures pupils leave equipped for university or other next steps.

In 2024, 80% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 3% entering apprenticeships and 7% into employment. The leavers' cohort numbered 198 students, a substantial group with diverse destinations. Most strikingly, 16 applications were submitted to Oxford and Cambridge, with 1 Cambridge acceptance secured, remarkable for a non-selective state school in East London. This single acceptance came from a cohort of 16 applicants, and while the numbers are small, the fact that students are reaching Oxbridge at all demonstrates the school's capacity to nurture exceptional academic potential.

Beyond elite universities, students secure places at leading Russell Group institutions including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick. The school's partnership with schemes like Realising Opportunities (a Russell Group mentoring programme) ensures capable students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive explicit university preparation. Alumni page testimonials reveal notable progression: Samad Chowdhury studied Human, Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge (First Class), while Priyanka Soni completed a doctorate at Cambridge after studying English Literature at Oxford. Mia Smith read Classics at Oxford University and now mentors in education.

The school's careers programme extends beyond university guidance. Examples from recent years include virtual internship placements, interviews with leading law firms like Clifford Chance, and support for health profession pathways. One alumna, Zuzanna, secured an apprenticeship as a Wing Designer at Airbus, highlighting pathways beyond traditional universities.

Extracurricular life at St Angela's is genuinely diverse and extensive, reflecting the school's Catholic mission to develop the whole person. The school website prominently features clubs and workshops in dance, PE, drama, music, art, creative writing, science, and mathematics, with structured timetables for each year group. This is not a generic statement; St Angela's publishes specific club schedules showing dedicated provision across the academic year.

Music: Central to School Life

The Aurora Dance Concert, held annually, showcases the breadth of performance opportunity. Students participate in choir, which includes the liturgical choir that performs at school Masses and external events. A Symphony Orchestra provides ensemble experience, while instrumental tuition is available in most orchestral instruments. The department also runs chamber music groups, encouraging students to develop leadership and collaborative skills. Given the Catholic character, the music programme integrates liturgy meaningfully; Christmas Carol Services and Easter celebrations are genuine community events, not performances for their own sake.

Drama and Creative Arts

The drama programme produces multiple productions annually, from small-scale performances to large ensemble productions. The school possesses dedicated performance spaces, allowing productions of varying scale. The New Views playwriting project, run in partnership with the National Theatre, saw alumna Mia Smith achieve outstanding recognition. This engagement with professional theatre companies elevates the drama experience beyond school productions.

Art facilities include specialist studios and darkroom provision. Visual arts exhibitions display student work throughout the campus and at external venues. Photography and graphic design courses sit alongside traditional fine art, ensuring diverse creative pathways.

Science and STEM

The Science Club meets regularly to explore topics beyond the classroom curriculum. Multiple specialist laboratories support separate science teaching, with chemistry and biology given particular emphasis. The school's designation as a Language College historically drove investment in STEM parity, ensuring science facilities keep pace with modern standards. Student research opportunities and partnerships with universities provide extension for those seeking university-level challenge.

Sports and Physical Activity

Physical education runs across all year groups, with PE clubs offering additional structured practice. The school's history includes winning national championships in basketball and debating. Sports facilities enable netball, basketball, badminton, and fitness-focused activities. The combination of competitive sport and recreational PE ensures participation across ability levels.

Debating and Public Speaking

St Angela's has a distinguished tradition in debate competitions. The school regularly enters inter-school debating competitions, with teams competing at local and national level. The Debate Mate programme provides structured mentorship. This is not fringe activity; winning national championships in debating signals deep institutional commitment to speech and reasoning skills.

Volunteering and Service

The school's Catholic mission emphasizes service. The Saint Vincent de Paul Conference organises community projects and charity activities. The Brilliant Club, a national social mobility initiative, involves sixth formers in tutoring younger students and participating in university-style seminars. These programmes directly build university application credentials while fostering civic engagement.

Enrichment Programmes

Higher achievement is supported through the Realising Opportunities programme, which targets able students from underrepresented backgrounds. Sixth form students undertake university visits, attend subject-specific workshops, and receive intensive interview preparation. The school's partnership with universities extends to summer schools and pre-university taster programmes.

The Desenzano Study Centre

Named for the birthplace of St Angela Merici, the sixth form's dedicated study space houses 35 state-of-the-art computers and university-style conference tables. This is not just library seating; it reflects an explicit philosophy that independent study skills matter. The centre is staffed throughout the day, allowing informal question sessions and collaborative work.

St Angela's is a voluntary-aided school with no selection criteria based on academic ability. Non-selective admission means entry depends on distance and sibling preference, making location crucial. In 2024, the last distance offered was 1.85 miles, indicating moderate oversubscription. The school received 504 applications for 189 places (Reception), a subscription proportion of 2.67:1, meaning approximately 2.67 applicants competed for every place. This figure varies annually depending on new housing developments and family movement patterns; distances offered can shift significantly year to year.

For Year 7 entry, the school maintains similar oversubscription levels. Admission follows national coordinated schemes through Newham Local Authority. Parents should verify current distances using the FindMySchool distance checker tool, as last distance offered provides priority indicator but not guarantee. The school's open evening occurs annually in October; registration is required due to venue capacity, suggesting high demand.

The sixth form accepts external applicants (not just internal progression), with explicit entry requirements: GCSE grades 5 or above in English and mathematics, plus subject-specific requirements for A-level study. A few places remain available each year for well-qualified external candidates, making the sixth form slightly less oversubscribed than the main school.

The 2022 Ofsted report specifically praised behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding, noting that pupils' behaviour "reflects high expectations and respect for staff" and that "bullying is rare, with issues promptly addressed by school leaders." Students describe feeling safe and supported, with older pupils actively mentoring younger peers.

Each pupil is assigned a form tutor who provides daily pastoral contact. Form tutors monitor attendance, behaviour, and general wellbeing, referring students to specialist support when needed. The school employs a dedicated SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) who works to identify and support pupils with learning or physical difficulties. Every pupil with SEND has an assigned adult supporting them in lessons and break times.

A trained counsellor visits regularly for pupils needing additional emotional support. The PSHE curriculum covers relationships, resilience, mental health, and financial literacy. The school's Rise Up curriculum days provide themed workshops on equalities, relationships, and other pastoral topics.

School hours run from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school operates a five-day week without Saturday provision. Uniform is compulsory for all pupils in the main school; sixth form students wear business dress rather than formal uniform, signalling the transition to young adulthood.

Forest Gate benefits from excellent transport links: the District and Central Lines both serve Forest Gate station, approximately 10 minutes' walk from the school. Bus routes 25, 58, 108, and 230 serve the area. Parking near the school is restricted; permit parking is available on surrounding roads through the Local Authority. Many pupils arrive by public transport, independent travel, or school-approved minibus services. The school's location in a residential area means it avoids the congestion of central London while maintaining excellent connectivity.

School meals are provided by Innovate catering, with halal meals available daily to reflect the student population's religious diversity. Lunch costs are standard and payable through the ParentPay scheme, which also manages trip payments and voluntary contributions.

Distance and Admissions: With a last distance offered of 1.85 miles and 2.67 applications per place, securing entry requires living within the catchment area. Families relying on this school should verify their precise distance before making property decisions. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Catholic Character: The school's ethos is genuinely Catholic and pervasive. Daily prayer, weekly Masses, explicit religious teaching, and references to Catholic theology throughout the curriculum are central, not peripheral. Families uncomfortable with this should look elsewhere. The school serves all pupils respectfully and does not discriminate in admissions based on faith, though Catholic families tend to form the majority.

Sixth Form Transition: While internal pupils progress automatically if they meet entry requirements (grades 5+ in English and mathematics), external applicants face competition for limited places. The sixth form does become more selective than the main school, which may disadvantage those arriving from neighbouring comprehensives.

Academic Pace: Results are strong, but the school is not a hothouse. The Progress 8 score indicates pupils make above-average progress, but the A-level ranking (769th in England) shows the sixth form is solid rather than elite. Girls seeking ultra-intensive academic environments or those aiming exclusively for top universities may want to explore grammar schools or independent schools alongside St Angela's.

St Angela's Ursuline School exemplifies what a state Catholic school can be when led with both academic rigour and genuine pastoral care. One hundred and sixty-three years of institutional continuity, combined with consistent Ofsted excellence, make this a rare combination. Results place it firmly above England average at GCSE, while the sixth form offers solid A-level outcomes and genuine progression to Russell Group universities. The school's multicultural population, strong extracurricular provision, and authentic Catholic mission appeal to families seeking education that develops the whole person.

Best suited to families within the tight catchment who value Catholic education, are comfortable with faith-centred teaching, and want their daughters to flourish in a well-led, inclusive environment. The main challenge is securing a place; those fortunate enough to gain entry receive an education that is academically sound, pastorally strong, and deeply rooted in 163 years of educational tradition.