Home About Us Curriculum Pastoral School Life 6th Form Alumnae Contact Parents Staff Students You are here Home » About Us » Our History Our History Reverend Mother Clare - our first headteacher. 1474 Angela Merici was born in Desenzano del Garda in Italy 1535 Angela Merici founder the Company of St Ursula in Brescia By the end of that century the Order had begun to spread to other countries and became educators of young women. Over the next 400 years they spread all over the world. 1851 The Ursulines first came to England from Tildonk in Belgium. 1854 They established a free school for the poor at Upton (Forest Gate) near Stratford. 1859 Cecilia Arthur (Mother Clare) was born and at the age of 12 became a boarder at Forest Gate. She then entered the order and in 1886 became a headteacher of the Elementary school at Upton. 1900 Mother Clare, with two other Sisters, came to Brentwood to open a school at the request of Father Norris. The school opened on 23 April 1900 1904 Mother Clare became the first "Superior" of the newly established Order the " Brentwood Ursulines" 1918 Initially there were two schools: St. Philomena's, for the daughters of the poor, and St. Mary's for those of the "well-to-do". They merged in 1918. As the school grew new buildings were added. As the school grew so did the Order and there were many vocations to the Brentwood Community. During the Second World War pupils from other Ursuline schools were evacuated to Brentwood. However the Trinity building was badly damaged by bombing. 1954 Mother Clare died but the vision and values had been firmly established and over time the community and school flourished under the leadership of Mother Superiors and headteachers. 1900-1915 Mother Clare Arthur 1915-1925 Mother Scolastica Mead 1925-1947 Mother Ursula Schoenen, B.A (London) 1947-1969 Sister Joseph Howley M.A (Oxon) 1969-1977 Sister Gabriel O'Driscoll B.A (London) 1978-1980 Sister Jude Conway M.A (Oxon) 1980-1983 Sister Gabriel O'Driscoll B.A (London) 1983-1984 Sister Brigid Cunningham B.A (Hons) (London) 1975 The Ursuline Sisters founded the Sacred Heart school at Kyeni in Kenya. Although the Community does not run the now the links are still very strong. 1984 The first lay headteacher was appointed. Since 1984 Sisters have taught in the school and have assisted with the running of the school. They have been the Trustees of the school. They are there for us on a daily basis helping in all the ways they can and remembering us in their prayers. 2012 The Ursuline sisters handed over management of the school and it became an academy. The Bishop, the Chair of Governors and the Diocesan Director of Education are the Trustees. More... Welcome Ethos Our History Staff Governing Body Admissions Prospectus Virtual Tour Letters To Parents Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Exams Exam Results Examination Regulations Exam Awarding Bodies Exam Timetables Internal Appeals Inspection Reports Ofsted Reports Section 48 Report DfE Performance Tables News Teacher Training Vacancies Ofsted Parent View Governance at Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School is strong. [Governors, the leadership team and staff] are highly ambitious for the social and academic success of each pupil Ofsted, October 2017 The Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, Queens Road, Brentwood, Essex. CM14 4EX Tel: 01277 227156 The Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School Academy Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 8212425). Registered office: Queen’s Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4EX. Copyright © 2021, Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School