Grays Convent High School
Grays Convent High School | |
---|---|
Roman Catholic | |
Established | 1899 |
Founders | Sisters of La Sainte Union |
Local authority | Thurrock Council |
Specialist | Language |
Department for Education URN | 115239 Tables |
Ofsted | Reports |
Chair | Laurie Eve[1] |
Headteacher | Penny Johnson |
Deputy Headteacher | Dawn Collis |
Staff | 68[2] |
Gender | Female |
Age | 11 to 16 |
Enrolment | 656 |
Capacity | 620 |
Houses | Deborah Lydia Mary Esther[3] |
Colour(s) | Navy, Red and Gold |
Publication | The Convent Chronicle[4] |
Website | https://www.graysconvent.school |
Grays Convent High School is a
Since 2013 the school has a good Ofsted grade, previously being outstanding since 2008.
History
Convent Day School
In 1899 Archbishop of Westminster Herbert Vaughan requested that some Sisters of La Sainte Union arrive to the Grays Thurrock parish to teach in its two schools. Three of the sisters who arrived from France decided to found a new private day school on Orsett Road on 29 October. It was named the Convent Day School and originally had three students on roll. On 24 March 1906, the sisters relocated the school to the convent in nearby College Avenue, with plans to expand. However, the school's population remained extremely low, despite also accepting boys. In 1934 the school saw a rapid increase in popularity and student population because of the construction of a new assembly hall and some classrooms.[8]
Some parts of the school were destroyed during
Grays Convent High School
In 1972 the Grays Convent High School was enlarged, this led to a student population of 666 by 1977.[9] In 1989 most of the Sisters of La Sainte Union left the convent located on the school site, moving into the notorious Dell. This was done to give the school the ability to expand yet again, with an art block, music block and computer suite all being built.[8] In 1995 Philip Kyndt was appointed headteacher, having been serving as deputy head beforehand.[14] In 2003 Ofsted inspected the school, calling it "a very good school with excellent features. It gives good value for money. Standards are above average and achievement of pupils is very good."[10] Sometime between 2003 and 2008 the school specialised as a language college and in 2008 it became an outstanding school after another Ofsted inspection in March. Ofsted described the school during this time as "very popular and heavily over-subscribed." It was also reported that most parents viewed the school as "excellent" and Headteacher Kyndt and his team were highly praised.[11] Around this time two students at the school were in the country's top ten for GCSE exam results. Kyndt would retire after teaching at the school since 1976 in October 2008.[14]
Philip Kyndt was succeeded by Ann-Marie Brister. Brister was previously the headmistress of fellow Catholic school, New Hall School. At first the high standards at the Grays Convent continued to be maintained, with the school's 2010 GCSE results being its highest ever.[15] However, in 2013 the school's results would drop by 10% and the school's Ofsted rating would fall from outstanding to good. In response, Brister announced that she would resign at the end of the year.[16][12] Following her resignation the school's current head, Penny Johnson, was appointed in April 2014.[17] After Johnson's appointment the school would yet again maintain its high standards, with the school's highest ever GCSE results being celebrated in 2015 and very high results being celebrated in subsequent years.[18][19][20]
School structure
The Grays Convent High School is a smaller than average school, both in terms of student population and physical area. The Grays Convent claims that this allows them to "have the time to care, encourage and support all our students, each of whom are known by name." Counselling is offered both by the school and the Diocese of Brentwood. Staff meetings between the heads of
The school follows the traditional year group system present in most
All students are placed into one of four houses, each named after biblical women who espoused the school's qualities that are taught to students. They are
Notable former pupils
References
- ^ "Governors". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays Convent High School - GOV.UK". gov.uk.
- ^ "House Information". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "The Convent Chronicle 17 December 2021" (PDF). squarespace.com.
- ^ "Grays Convent High School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Convent High School for Girls". Brentwood Diocese. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Educational Visits". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Our History". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Parishes: Grays Thurrock". British History Online. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Grays Convent High School 2003 Ofsted Inspection". Ofsted.
- ^ a b "Grays Convent High School 2008 Ofsted Inspection". Ofsted.
- ^ a b "Grays Convent High School Ofsted". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays Convent High School - GOV.UK". Find and compare schools in England. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Head says goodbye as students shine". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ Staff Reporter (24 August 2010). "Grays Convent: The Magnificent Eight!". Your Thurrock. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Under-fire head of Grays Convent set to quit". Your Thurrock. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays secondary school gets thumbs up from education watchdog". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays Convent School smashes national average with best GCSE results 'in history'". Braintree and Witham Times. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays Convent School students celebrate 'phenomenal' GCSE results across the board". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Girls grab the grades at Grays Convent". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Introduction". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Grays Convent High School Reporting" (PDF). Grays Convent High School.
- ^ "Year 9". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Year 10". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Year 11". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Duke of Edinburgh Award". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "House Information". Grays Convent High School. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Staff Reporter (5 August 2017). "Athletics: Great run by Jess Judd in World Champs". Your Thurrock. Retrieved 22 December 2021.