On 11 October 2025, Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School in Upminster, Essex, featured as the Catholic Union’s “School of the Week”, a distinction that celebrates excellence and achievement within Catholic education across the United Kingdom. It shines a light on schools making a significant positive impact within their communities and in the wider sphere of Catholic education.
Sacred Heart of Mary School gained attention from the Catholic Union after a Year 13 pupil, Isabel Hegarty, won first prize in this year’s St Mary’s, Twickenham Theology Essay Competition. Isabel received her prize from Dr Jeremy Pilch (right), Head of Theology at St Mary’s University and Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster recently. Her essay: ‘Why were so many people received into the Catholic Church in the UK at Easter 2025?’ impressed the judges – and the story was featured on Catholic news site ICN www.indcatholicnews.com.
Sacred Heart of Mary School was founded by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary following the Mission of their founder Jean Gailhac who founded the RSHM in 1949 in Beziers, France. The school is now in the Global Network of the schools of the RSHM.
The Upminster school has a real heart for community engagement – collecting for foodbanks and charities like CAFOD, Macmillan and Women@TheWell, which provides holistic services for vulnerable women, every year through various events. Headteacher Vivienne Qurrey says: “Each form decides on the charity they want to support. We also do the Shoebox Appeal every year and collect for ‘I Can You Can Too’. ” She added: “We are delighted to be recognised by the Catholic Union.”
Flavio Vettese, Director of Education for the Diocese of Brentwood, commented: “This acknowledgment reflects the hard work and faith-filled dedication of students, staff and families, who together make Sacred Heart of Mary a truly special community.”
Celebrating excellence in Catholic education
The Catholic Union’s School of the Week initiative aims to promote and champion the value of Catholic schooling throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Each featured school is chosen for its outstanding contributions – whether through academic performance, community engagement or special programmes that embody the spirit of Catholic education.
