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 (31)
Salesian College is an independent Roman Catholic day school in Farnborough, Hampshire, catering for boys aged 11 to 18 with a co-educational sixth form. Established by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the school provides secondary education grounded in traditional Christian values. The curriculum covers a broad range of academic subjects alongside extensive sporting and co-curricular activities.
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.
St Columba's College is a co-educational Catholic day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in St Albans. Established in 1939 and managed by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart since 1955, the school occupies a site overlooking St Albans Cathedral. Its ethos is guided by the "Columban Code", which promotes courtesy, courage, and compassion. The campus combines historic properties with modern facilities, including a Sixth Form Centre and all-weather sports pitches. The school provides a broad curriculum complemented by an extensive co-curricular programme, including the Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.