'My name is Sarah, and I was a student at Brentwood Ursuline until 2012. I then studied Law at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. I really enjoyed my time at the Ursuline – even though it was a long time ago, I can still remember its welcoming, friendly atmosphere. It has a fantastic music department with lots of ensembles and bands, so I had lots of opportunities to play my saxophone. For example, I played in the band accompanying the school production of Hairspray, which was great fun. I made life-long friends at the Ursuline too.' 

Sarah Roche

'I was a student at BUCHS from 1991-98 and was in St Angela’s House.  Throughout my time at school I was involved in music activities such as Junior Strings, Orchestra and Senior Choir.  For my A Levels I studied English, Classics and RS, along with an AS in Music.  This then led me to Durham University (Collingwood College) where I read Theology.  After I graduated, I worked at Walsingham House, the Diocesan Youth Retreat Centre, for five years and then went on to complete my PGCE in Secondary RE.  I taught at St. Mary’s in Bishop’s Stortford for two years.  In 2009, I took up my role as Chaplain at BUCHS.  I had a very happy seven years at the Ursuline. I remember being overwhelmed by the size of the school in Year 7 and loved that it felt like a maze.  I remember laughing a lot whilst at school, life never felt too serious and there was always a good sense of community.  What has stayed with me the most though are the friendships I made during my time here.  Many years on, we are still in touch.  We still remember the School Song and I know that they are friendships which will last a lifetime.'

Claire Bailey

'I was at the Brentwood Ursuline School from 2006-2013. Whilst here, I studied Art, History and IT at GCSE, then I went on to study Art, Photography & Sociology at A-Level. I followed this love of Art on to study a BA in Illustration and Visual Media at the University of Arts London. I think one of my most prominent memories of the Ursuline has to be that of our first day in Year 7.  Before we even found out which form we were in, the fire alarm went off! One aspect I really remember was how close everyone was, especially as you move up through the school years - this is something I definitely miss now I’ve left.'

Katie Grimes

'I attended the Ursuline from 2004 - 2011 and look back extremely fondly on my school career. In 6th form I studied RS, English Literature, Classical Civilisation and Sociology and achieved an A* and 3 A Grades in my A levels. I went on to study Theology at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where I graduated with a 2:1. For two years I worked for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society as their Fundraising and Communications Officer. This was a fantastic first job, but I had always wanted to become a Religious Studies teacher and so I embarked upon a PGCE at St John’s College, Cambridge. I am extremely grateful to the Ursuline for the help and support I was given, which encouraged me to pursue my ambitions. I received wonderful teaching, especially from the RE department, who helped me prepare for my Oxford interview and continue to offer me advice to this day. The Ursuline has an amazing sense of community and shared Christian ethos, alongside a really modern outlook, which raises the ambitions of its students and allows them to become happy, self-assured and successful adults.'

Amy Pether

I have graduated from Queen Mary College, University of London with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences, and applied to study Medicine as a postgraduate with the aim of becoming a paediatric surgeon.  Without a doubt, the Ursuline has made me the young woman I am today; with opportunities such as becoming Deputy Head Girl, I was able to gain not only the grades, but also the wide range of experiences required to be offered an unconditional place to my first choice university. However, words will never really do justice to the plethora of things our school did for me. I have been invited back to talk to pupils about life after the Sixth Form, which is a pleasure and a way of giving something back to a school which gave me so much.'

Amy Gander