BRENTWOOD URSULINE COnVEnT HiGH SCHOOL school prospectus
The mission of our School is to create a Christian environment in which each student can grow in personality, relationships, knowledge and skill towards a full realisation of her potential.
WELCOME TO Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School was founded in 1900 to provide a high quality Christian education for young women. We are proud of this tradition and we remain committed to the highest academic standards for our students. Ursuline students are known for their independence, self-confidence and maturity. These strengths are nurtured by our strong community spirit, firmly based on the virtues of faith, hope and love. We strive to ensure that students leave the Ursuline as accomplished and well-balanced young women,committed to the motto of our school: Duty. We hope that this prospectus will give you a glimpse of why we believe that the Ursuline is such a special school.
A CHRiSTiAn community We are part of a worldwide network of Ursuline schools. Prayer and worship are at the heart of our community so the timetable features tutor group prayers, assemblies and Mass either in our beautiful chapel, or in the nearby Brentwood Cathedral. Students play a leading part in preparing liturgies, organising retreats and charity fundraising. Religious Education is an important subject for all students from Year 7 to Year 13, in which students learn about their own faith and the faiths of others, exploring for themselves the spiritual, moral and ethical dimensions of their lives.
GROWinG in PERSOn ALiTY AnD RELATIONSHIPS Form Tutors, Heads of Year and the Chaplain work with all members of staff to build around each Ursuline student a network of supportive relationships. Student leadership is a strong feature of the Ursuline. Senior Students and House, Subject and Liturgy Prefects lead the way, whilst the School Council gives voice to students in each year group. Music, dance and drama are important in our curriculum, developing selfconfidence and putting talents to good use. Students are given regular opportunities to perform and the standard is exceptionally high. Participation in varied sports activities encourages a healthy lifestyle, and our students join in enthusiastically. Our teams enjoy considerable success in sports competitions across a range of sports. The Merici sports hall was opened in 2012 and provides first-class sporting facilities.
GROWinG in knowledge and skills We believe that academic success in a balanced mix of traditional subjects is the strongest foundation for Ursuline students. We focus on GCSE and A Level qualifications, and the vast majority of our Sixth Form students go on to university. Ursuline students are expected to be independent, self-motivated and well organised. it is our aim to instil in each student a lifelong love of learning. Latin and Classics are popular and successful, being taught from KS3 to A level. it is compulsory to take a language at GCSE. Many students successfully combine Music, Drama or Performing Arts with other subjects at GCSE and A Level. Ursuline students are encouraged to excel in Maths and the Sciences, as well as subjects such as English, History and Geography. We are proud of the quality of art that our students produce, whether it be Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Art or Photography.
A FULL REALiSATiOn OF potential We are an academic school, but we realise that not every student learns in the same way, or at the same pace. We stretch the most able to achieve at the highest level, but we support those who may find it harder to keep up. There are numerous extra-curricular activities going on at the Ursuline: we are a busy school. On every day of the week there are activities such as sports clubs, debating and choir and instrumental group rehearsals. All of Year 7 belong to Junior Choir, and almost all carry on with some kind of musical involvement as they progress up the school. The House Music Competition is a major annual event, run by Sixth Formers. Students can audition for various dance and drama companies that offer an exciting opportunity to perform both in school and in the community. Recent trips have gone to iceland, Venice, Berlin, the West indies and the USA. More locally, there are regular trips to West End productions, as well as trips to support studies in subjects such as Geography, History and MFL. Some students choose to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which offers both community service and expedition opportunities. Students fill the library at break, lunchtime and after school. A love of reading is encouraged by numerous activities, as well as an outstanding selection of books and magazines. Our expectations are high. Ursuline students are expected to take pride in their school and show it in the way they wear the uniform and the way they behave towards others.
PRAYER OF st. angela Gracious God, let us remain in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will. Let us be bound to one another by the bond of love, respecting each other, caring for each other and bearing with each other in Jesus Christ. For, if we try to be like this, without doubt, you Lord God, will be in our midst. Amen.
QUEEn S ROAD, BREnTWOOD, ESSEX CM14 4EX TEL: 01277 227156 FAX: 01277 229454 EMAiL: ADMin@BUCHS.CO.UK WEB: WWW.BUCHS.CO.UK HEADTEACHER: R. J. WiLKin