In what has been a most challenging and difficult year, The Ursuline Preparatory School, Brentwood was thrilled to learn that it had been adjudged the ‘Independent Preparatory School of the Year’ by The Sunday Times. The school had also been placed 6th in The Sunday Times Parent Power league table for 2021, achieving its highest ranking since the league table was first introduced.
The accolade is made even more special as recipients are not nominated and cannot apply for the award. The title is presented after all aspects of the school life are reviewed, including previous inspection reports.
In presenting the award, The Sunday Times said:
“The school’s ethos, strongly centred on its Catholic heritage, is to strive for excellence in all aspects of life and to be kind and caring.”
“The academic results achieved by this non-selective prep school are little short of astounding and compare with the very best in England across all independent and state schools.”
Headteacher Mrs Pauline Wilson said: “I am absolutely delighted and take great pride in accepting this award on behalf of the school. As a non-selective Catholic school, where the children are not accepted on academic ability, we strive to celebrate and discover their unique strengths that allow them to become the very best of themselves.
“I have the backing of our dedicated trustees, the support of our governors and an incredible professional team of staff, and receiving this accolade is the culmination of a lot of hard work and commitment from every member of my team.
“We could not have achieved any of this without our parents. The trust and faith they have shown in us to keep their children safe and well have been evident as they have returned all their children back to school during these unprecedented times, ensuring minimal disruption to their education.
“Finally, I must say thank you to our wonderful children whose hard work and diligence is bettered only by their obvious joy and happiness at being part of our Ursuline Prep. Community.”
Sr Jude Groden, RE Advisor for the Diocese, was delighted to hear the news. She said: “We offer our warmest congratulations to Mrs Pauline Wilson OBE, Headteacher of the Ursuline Catholic Preparatory School, Warley on receiving this amazing accolade. We congratulate, also, her extremely dedicated, professional staff, trustees, governors, parents and wonderful children.”
