The Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference is a professional association representing and supporting the leaders of Catholic independent schools in the United Kingdom and overseas. Its primary objective is to promote and assist the holistic education of children within a distinct Catholic ethos. The association provides a forum for Headteachers and Governors to network, share best practices, and engage in professional development. Additionally, CISC acts as a unified voice for the sector, liaising with the Catholic Education Service (CES) and other national bodies to represent the interests of Catholic independent education.
CISC Member Schools (19)
Cranmore School is an independent day school set within 25 acres of grounds in West Horsley, Surrey. Founded in 1968, the school follows a Roman Catholic ethos and is part of the Effingham Schools Trust. It operates a diamond model, offering co-education in the early years before transitioning to single-sex provision for boys aged 7 to 16. The campus features various facilities, including a purpose-built music school with a Mander pipe organ, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and a contemporary Science and Technology Centre.
St Teresa’s Effingham is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, set within 55 acres of parkland in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1928 by the Religious of Christian Instruction, the school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is centred around an 18th-century manor house. It maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming pupils of all faiths. Notable facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a 300-seat performing arts theatre, and a tennis academy. Since 2019, it has formed part of the Effingham Schools Trust alongside Cranmore School.
St Mary's School, Hampstead, is an independent Catholic preparatory school for girls aged 2 to 11, with a co-educational nursery. Established in 1871 as a convent boarding school, it has occupied a Grade II listed building on Fitzjohn’s Avenue since 1926. The school is set within extensive grounds that include a leafy playground and a dedicated nursery garden. Notable facilities include a full-size chapel and a virtual reality room. Following "The St Mary’s Way", the school focuses on developing academic excellence, resilience, and moral integrity within a nurturing, faith-based community.
Situated in Wadhurst, East Sussex, Sacred Heart School is an independent Catholic school for children in Key Stages 1 and 2. A member of the Independent Schools Association and the Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference, the school claims to focus on the quality of relationships and teaching within its community. Its grounds host various activities, including a range of clubs and an after-school provision known as Busy Bees. The school also provides Parent and Toddler mornings, fostering early connections with the local community in its rural village setting.
Worth School is a co-educational Catholic day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 500 acres of West Sussex countryside near Turners Hill. The school is located on the historic Paddockhurst estate alongside Worth Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. Its ethos is guided by Benedictine values of community and service. Architectural highlights include the circular 1960s abbey and the modern Spencer Building. Facilities feature a professional-standard theatre, a golf course, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre. Pupils can study either A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate within a diverse extracurricular programme.
Barrow Hills School is a co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 2 to 13, located in Witley near Godalming. Set within 33 acres of Surrey countryside, the school is housed in a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts building known as Great Roke. Originally founded in 1950 as a preparatory school for St George’s College, it now operates as a partner school to King Edward’s Witley. The school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming families of all faiths, providing a broad curriculum that emphasises both academic development and outdoor learning.
Laleham Lea School is a Catholic independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Purley, Surrey. Founded in 1945, the school is housed in a Victorian building and provides a primary education rooted in Christian values. It emphasises a nurturing environment with small class sizes to support individual academic and personal growth. The curriculum is broad, incorporating various extracurricular activities alongside core subjects. The school aims to develop well-rounded individuals within a close-knit community, preparing them for the transition to senior education.
Marymount International School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated on a seven-acre campus in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1955 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming students of all faiths. It was the first school in the United Kingdom to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum, offering both the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Facilities include a modern STEAM "Fab Lab" and purpose-built sports and arts spaces, supporting a holistic approach to education.
Situated in the village of Mayfield, East Sussex, Mayfield School is an independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Occupying the historic Old Palace of the Archbishops of Canterbury, the school features 14th-century buildings and a medieval chapel. It claims to follow a "Cornelian" ethos, focusing on intellectual curiosity, integrity, and compassion. Set within rural grounds, the school offers over 80 co-curricular activities and supports a diverse community of more than 20 nationalities. The school aims to nurture the whole person, balancing academic standards with spiritual and emotional resilience.
Notre Dame Prep School Surrey is an independent Catholic day school for girls aged 2 to 11, with a co-educational nursery for boys up to age four. Situated in Cobham, the school occupies 26 acres of Surrey countryside and is centred around Burwood House, a Grade II listed 18th-century manor. Founded in 1937, the school belongs to the international Order of the Company of Mary Our Lady. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a theatre, and a forest school, supporting a curriculum that balances academic development with music, drama, and sport.
Notre Dame Senior School is an independent Catholic day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set within 26 acres of parkland in Cobham, Surrey. The school occupies Burwood House, a Grade II listed 18th-century manor house once owned by the Earl of Ellesmere. Founded by the Company of Mary Our Lady, it follows the educational philosophy of Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac. Facilities include a 370-seat professional-standard theatre, a heated indoor swimming pool, and an Innovation Hub for STEM studies. The curriculum is complemented by a diverse range of extracurricular activities in music, drama, and competitive sport.
Rydes Hill Preparatory School & Nursery is a co-educational independent school for children aged 2 to 7, located in a leafy suburb of Guildford. Founded in 1945 by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, the school is based in Rydes Hill House, a striking 18th-century Georgian building featuring a Victorian clocktower. Now part of the Tormead family, the school follows a nurturing ethos where "happy children learn". Specialist facilities include a dedicated STEAM suite, a performing arts centre, and Forest School areas, supporting a broad curriculum delivered through small, individualised classes.