The Ursuline Academy Ilford Review 2026: Catholic Ethos and Academic Progress

The Ursuline Academy Ilford combines over a century of Catholic heritage with a distinctively modern focus on service. Established in 1903, the school serves girls aged 11 to 18 on a compact site in the heart of Ilford. The academy is defined by its motto, Serviam (I will serve), which is not merely a slogan but the organising principle of school life. While many schools talk of community, Ursuline builds it through specific routines of worship, service, and shared responsibility. It suits families seeking a structured, faith-based education where academic rigour at GCSE is matched by clear moral expectations.

The red-brick buildings on Morland Road signal the school's long history in the borough. Inside, the atmosphere is purposeful and orderly. The school is smaller than many local comprehensives, with around 760 students, creating a close-knit environment where faces are known.

Ms Fiona Stone has led the academy as Headteacher since September 2022. Under her leadership, the school maintains the balance between its traditional Catholic roots and the demands of a modern curriculum. The environment is disciplined; visitors often comment on the calm movement in corridors and the respectful interactions between year groups.

Faith is the golden thread running through the school day. Assemblies, Masses, and retreat days are integral, not optional extras. The Chapel provides a physical and spiritual centre to the site. However, the school is not an enclave; it sits in a bustling, diverse part of Redbridge, and its intake reflects the broad ethnic mix of the local Catholic community.

Academic performance at The Ursuline Academy Ilford is characterised by exceptional progress at GCSE level. The school consistently enables students to outperform expectations based on their primary school starting points.

In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.75. This indicates that, on average, students achieve three-quarters of a grade higher in every subject compared to peers with similar prior attainment across England. This is a significant "value-added" achievement.

The school ranks 773rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 8th among secondary schools in Redbridge. This places it in the top 17% of schools in England, reflecting strong performance across the core curriculum. The average EBacc point score of 5.41 sits well above the England average of 4.08, demonstrating strength in traditional subjects like languages, history, and geography.

At A-level, the cohort is smaller and the profile differs. The school ranks 1,883rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). While 35% of grades were A*-B in 2024, this performance sits in the lower band relative to national averages (bottom 40%). Families should note the contrast between the highly competitive GCSE progress and the more inclusive nature of the Sixth Form.

The curriculum is broad but traditional. At Key Stage 3, all students study the full range of National Curriculum subjects alongside Religious Education, which is a core faculty here. Teachers have high expectations of literacy; students are encouraged to speak in full sentences and engage in structured debate.

Science and mathematics are taught with rigour, challenging the stereotype that girls' schools focus solely on the humanities. The high Progress 8 score suggests that teaching is effective across the board, ensuring that students of all abilities are pushed to achieve their best. Support for students with Special Educational Needs is integrated into the classroom, with teaching assistants working closely with subject staff to ensure accessibility.

The majority of students choose to continue into higher education. In 2024, 80% of leavers progressed to university. The school has a functional track record of supporting applications to competitive courses; in the most recent cycle, one student secured a place at Cambridge University, while 12 students secured places to study Medicine.

Alongside university routes, the school supports alternatives, with 3% of leavers securing apprenticeships. The Sixth Form team provides guidance on personal statements and interviews, leveraging the Ursuline network to offer work experience opportunities that might otherwise be hard to access.

Admission to The Ursuline Academy Ilford is competitive. As a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, the governors are the admissions authority, though the process is coordinated by Redbridge Council.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, there were over 300 applications for the 118 available places in Year 7. Priority is given to Catholic looked-after children, followed by practising Catholic girls who can provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice. This certificate, signed by a parish priest, is the "golden ticket" for admission; without it, applicants are placed in lower priority categories.

Families must complete the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the local authority application. The deadline for 2026 entry is 31 October 2025. Parents should be realistic: for non-Catholic families, securing a place is statistically very difficult unless the school is undersubscribed in the faith categories, which is rare.

Pastoral care is organised through a House system that fosters vertical integration—older students look out for younger ones. Form tutors are the first port of call, but the Chaplaincy plays a unique role. It offers a non-judgmental space for students of all faiths and none to find a listening ear.

The school takes a proactive approach to mental health. The Serviam ethos encourages students to look outward, engaging in charity work and community service, which the school believes builds resilience and perspective.

Extracurricular life is vibrant, despite the constraints of a town-centre site. Music is a particular strength; the Gospel Choir performs regularly at school liturgies and local events. Drama productions are inclusive, involving students from all years in both acting and technical roles.

Sport includes netball, athletics, and dance, with teams competing in borough leagues. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, offering students a chance to develop independence. The Serviam Passport scheme rewards students for their contributions to school life, formalising the expectation of service.

The school is located on Morland Road, a short walk from Ilford Station (Elizabeth Line). The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. Uniform is strictly enforced, including the distinctive kilt and blazer, reinforcing a sense of professional pride.

Faith is central. This is not a school where religion is confined to RE lessons. Daily prayer, Mass, and the Catholic ethos are pervasive. Families must be comfortable with their daughter being educated in this environment.

Sixth Form difference. The Sixth Form is smaller and less academically selective than the main school. While this allows for excellent pastoral support, the "big school" feel of a large college is missing.

No on-site parking. The central location means parents cannot drive onto the site. Public transport is the expected mode of travel.

Oversubscription risks. Admission is heavily weighted towards practising Catholics. Families living next door may not get a place if they do not meet the faith criteria.

The Ursuline Academy Ilford offers a powerful combination of spiritual values and academic "value added". It is a school that refuses to let students coast, pushing them to achieve grades significantly higher than the national average at GCSE. Best suited to Catholic families who want a structured, single-sex education where character development is taken as seriously as exam results. The main challenge is the competitive nature of entry for Year 7.