Ursuline College, Westgate-on-Sea

Ursuline College (formerly Ursuline Convent School[1]) is a Catholic secondary school located in Westgate-on-Sea, in north-east Kent, England, United Kingdom. Aimed at pupils aged 11 to 19, the college is based within the Ursuline and Catholic ethos, aiding and teaching its pupils within this regime.

Ursuline College
Location
Westgate-on-Sea
,
Kent
,
CT8 8LX

England
Information
TypeAcademy (formerly Independent day and boarding)
MottoServiam
(I will serve)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic (Ursuline)
Established1904
Local authorityKent
Department for Education URN141628 Tables
HeadteacherElizabeth Englefield
GenderCoeducational (formerly Girls)
Age11 to 18
Enrolment780~
DioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
Websitehttp://www.ursuline.kent.sch.uk

History

The school in Westgate-on-Sea was established in 1904 when a group of Ursuline Sisters fled Boulogne-sur-Mer with a number of their pupils. Although their school in Boulogne-sur-Mer had existed since 1624, laws passed in France had made it impossible for the Sisters to continue their work of Christian education in France.[2]

Initially the school was set up as a boarding school for girls, meeting the needs of parents working in the Colonies or serving in the Forces.[2] The school was based on the Ursuline movement, or, moreover, the Ursuline Community, which in turn was inherited from the actions of Angela Merici in Italy in 1535.

In 1995, following the sudden closure of the neighbouring St Augustine’s College (a Catholic independent day and boarding school for boys), the school became coeducational.[2]

In mid-1998, due to social and local pressures from members of the prospective public, the school was reborn as an aided comprehensive for children aged 11 to 19. A separate school, St. Angela's, was born out of this disconnection, still providing a private education for its younger students.

Over the ensuing decade, the school became increasingly involved with sport, specifically football and netball, and in 2006 became a Catholic Comprehensive Specialist Sports College.

In January 2015 the school converted to academy status.

Ursuline mission statement and sisterhood

As part of the Ursuline regime, the school's mission statement includes the promotion of a generic positive regime and environment for its students.

Furthermore, the college relishes its sisterhood with the Ursulines and maintains good working relations with the other colleges, which can include foreign student exchange programs.

Campus

The school includes the grade II listed Hatton House,[3] which was built in 1886 as the home of William Jarrett, a tea planter[4] and a chapel and cloisters constructed of Kentish ragstone.

The school is currently made up of four buildings (and a fifth for St. Angela's Junior School):

  • The main building (Hatton House)
  • The new building (St Ursula's)
  • The music block
  • The sports centre

Notable alumni

References
  1. "The anatomy of how schools steady their parents for a merger", Catholic Herald, London, 28 April 1995. Retrieved on 6 August 2012.
  2. Foundation of Westgate, ursulines.co.uk. Retrieved on 6 August 2012.
  3. Ursuline Convent School, britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved on 6 August 2012.
  4. Spring 2009 Newsletter, Margate Civic Society. Retrieved on 6 August 2012.

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