Address

Our Lady's Close

Upper Norwood

SE19 3FA

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About the School

The School

The Laurels School relocated to its Crystal Palace location in South East London in 2021.


The building is steeped in history: it was originally set up as an orphanage in 1857 by an Order of French nuns, named The Lady of Fidelity. The orphanage later included a school. Following the Second World War, the orphanage closed and the school remained. We are very proud to continue this building’s rich history in educating young women. We are co-located with The Cedars School.

Shield & Motto

Our motto, In Gaudio Serviamus, translates as 'May we serve joyfully'. We are here at the service of others: the Church, our school, our families, friends and our wider society. We wish to serve everyone cheerfully.


Our school shield is a laurel wreath within a circle of twelve stars. The laurel wreath is symbolic of victory. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath and in ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics, and in poetic meets.


In Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph.


The stars symbolise The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Book of Revelation (12:1). “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

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