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 (29)
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.
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 Augustine's Priory is an independent Catholic day school in Ealing, West London, primarily for girls aged 3 to 18, with boys admitted to the nursery and prep sections. Founded in Paris in 1634 and established at its current site in 1915, the school is set within 13 acres of grounds that include a wildflower meadow, an orchard, and a working farm. Academic and extracurricular facilities include a chapel, a modern science block, and floodlit sports pitches. The school focuses on providing a well-rounded education based on values of truth and compassion.
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.
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.
St Mary's School Ascot is an independent Roman Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Situated within 55 acres of grounds in Berkshire, the school provides an education rooted in the values of its spiritual inspiration, Mary Ward, emphasising freedom of spirit, sincerity, and a cheerful disposition. The curriculum is designed to support the academic, spiritual, and personal development of each pupil. As a community, it fosters a supportive environment where girls are encouraged to achieve their potential and develop into independent young women.
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.
St Joseph’s College, Reading, is an independent co-educational day school catering for pupils from early years up to the sixth form. Situated in Berkshire, the school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals by cultivating a supportive environment that builds individual confidence and a strong sense of community. Its curriculum is designed to offer a broad range of opportunities, ensuring that children can explore academic, creative, and physical activities. The school operates as an inclusive, nurturing environment designed to support the holistic development of every pupil.
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.
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.
Donhead Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Wimbledon. Under the governance of the Jesuits, the school emphasises a value-based education rooted in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis, or the development of the whole person. The campus combines historical buildings with contemporary extensions, set within leafy grounds, and includes a separate sports ground. Beyond the classroom, the school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities, focusing on academic, sporting, and creative development to encourage personal growth and character formation.
The Marist School, situated in Sunninghill near Ascot, is an independent all-through school for pupils aged 2 to 18, featuring a co-educational nursery and an all-girls senior section. Set within 55 acres of woodland on the historic Frognal Estate, the school provides a continuous educational journey from the early years through to the sixth form. Grounded in a Catholic tradition, the school focuses on individual academic development and pastoral care. The campus integrates modern teaching facilities with the original estate architecture, supporting a comprehensive programme of sport, arts, and outdoor education.