The Ursuline Sisters
Visit websiteAbout The Ursuline Sisters
The Ursuline Sisters are a Catholic religious order with a long-standing tradition of advancing education, having first arrived in the UK in 1851. While the sisters have largely retired from front-line teaching, their associated charitable trusts and the Ursuline Education Community continue to govern and oversee a network of independent preparatory schools and state-maintained academies across the country. Operating under the motto Serviam ("I will serve"), the schools instil strong moral values, academic rigour, and a commitment to community service. The independent preparatory schools within the group provide a high-quality, inclusive Catholic education that aims to nurture the intellectual and spiritual growth of their pupils, remaining deeply rooted in the vision of their founder, St Angela Merici.
Associated Schools(2)
Formerly a co-educational independent day school and nursery for pupils aged 3 to 11, The Ursuline Prep School Ilford permanently closed in August 2025. Located in Ilford, it was a Roman Catholic school and part of the worldwide Ursuline network. The school followed an enriched National Curriculum, offering specialist teaching in music, physical education, and modern foreign languages. It aimed to provide a secure environment, balancing rigorous academic standards with pastoral support. Pupils also had access to a variety of extracurricular activities, including speech and drama, ballet, and Irish dancing.
The Ursuline Preparatory School is a co-educational, independent Catholic day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. Located in Warley, near Brentwood, Essex, the school occupies a large Georgian house following its relocation and extensive restoration in 1994. It caters for children across nursery, pre-prep, and prep stages. The curriculum is complemented by a diverse extracurricular programme featuring music, drama, art, and sport. Driven by traditional values and an Ursuline ethos, the school maintains a structured environment designed to support the moral, social, and academic development of every individual.