Gumley House
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Gumley House Convent School for girls is a Catholic voluntary aided comprehensive school in Isleworth, Hounslow educating girls between the ages of 11 - 18 and boys and girls in the Sixth Form. The school was established in 1841 by the FCJ sisters (Faithful Companions of Jesus).Sr Brenda Wallace F.C.J. BA (Hons) PhD is the headmistress of the school. The F.C.J sisters convent is set on the school grounds.
[edit] A Brief History
The house was built by John Gumley, cabinet maker as well as a mirror maker. He was a church warden. Madame d'Houet was the foundress of the FCJ sisters, bought Gumley House and established it as Catholic school. This was a new chapter in the school's history as Gumley House had always been used as a house. The house was to be converted into a school. Two schools were then founded on the Gumley House property: a boarding school for the wealthy and a day school for the poor children.Changes were made for the next twenty years.The lake on the school grounds was filled in as it was considered dangerous for the pupils. Catholic parents were happy to send their daughters to the boarding school in England rather than sending them to places such as France and Belgium.
Two of the most well-known pupils of Gumley House were the two princesses, Blanche and Marguerite. They were the exiled King of France's grand daughters, Louis Philippe. The two princesses were day pupils.
[edit] Student Life
The school holds 1190 pupils each year. Every year 192 pupils are admitted for Year 7. Gumley has been heavily oversubscribed over the last few years and pupil intakes are from a number of deaneries. Religious Education and worship is at the heart of the school and its curriculum.
Gumley is a school that prides itself on its many achievements. Gumley always gives it students many opportunities to explore new ideas.Gumley prides itself on its GCSE and A Level results. The school was recently declared by OFSTED 'Outstanding', the highest possible grade.
There are six school houses in Gumley and are named after the following saints: St Clare, St John Fisher, St Joan of Arc, St Thomas More,St Richard Reynolds and St Teresa of Avila. The girls stay in these houses until they reach Sixth Form. The letter that stands for your saint is placed after the year you are in.
- C = Gold
- F = Red
- J = Blue
- M = Yellow
- R = Purple
- T = Green
In the school houses students take part in interhouse championships. These are competive events in a variety of subjects such as sports, music, debating and drama. The houses are thought to promote friendly competition within the school as weoll as a sense of belonging. Whilst pupils are in their house they work hard for House Points which are added up at the end of the Academic Year to see which House has the most.
The basic uniform for years 7-11 is the following:
- Dark Brown Skirt
- Cream blouse (long sleeve)
- Cream summer blouse (short sleeve/open neck)
- Dark brown school fleece
- Brown pullover
- Tie (House colour)
- Brown or black low heeled shoes( not above 3½ cms)- no boots or mules. No trainers apart from PE lessons
- Brown tights or beige or white knee length socks
- Safety goggles
