Welcome to St. Margaret’s Prep School
We know that finding the right school for your child is one of the biggest decisions parents face. That perfect environment, suited especially to your child, where they will learn, grow and embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. At St. Margaret's Prep, we pride ourselves on being just this.
Our children are happy, curious and kind. They thrive in our beautiful, countryside school, where we prioritise a holistic education, fostering character development alongside academic excellence.
Whilst academic achievement is high, so is our focus on wellbeing, as we know that happy children are high achieving children. We nurture our pupils and develop the characteristics and qualities we know they will need to build bright futures. We ensure they are fully prepared for the next steps in life, both in the classroom and beyond.
Day Nursery Awards 2025 Winners
We’re delighted to have been awarded the ‘Top 20 Day Nursery Award’ for the second year in a row!
The annual Nursery Awards recognises 20 of the top-rated Nurseries in each region of the UK based on reviews from parents/individuals responsible for a child.
We are St Margaret’s
We have a strong family ethos and instil a sense of great pride in our school community. We look after, support and encourage each other to always be our best.
Welcome to St. Margaret’s Prep School, we make education fun and stimulating. We have a reputation for developing exceptionally well-rounded pupils with a love of learning. Our results speak for themselves, with our excellence in scholarships, sports, arts and music.
"I believe strongly that a happy child is a successful child and here at St Margaret’s we excel in providing a warm, welcoming and supportive community for your family."
-Carolyn Moss, Headteacher
Awards
An excellent all-round education
We were delighted to be awarded European ‘School of the Year 2022’ at the Cognita O-wards, we offer specialist teaching across the curriculum, combined with a home-from-home family feel, to give your child the very best start.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), rated St. Margaret’s as ‘excellent’ in October 2021. The inspection report concluded that the quality of the pupil’s academic and other achievements is excellent and the quality of the pupils’ personal development is also excellent.
"Pupils’ enjoyment of school life is evident in every aspect of their activities in and out the classroom. This is a result of the high quality of pastoral care, which focuses on the well-being of each individual to ensure they all flourish.” ISI, 2021
Join us for a Personal Tour
We warmly welcome families throughout the year, offering tailored personal tours on a day that suits you, including school holidays.
Enjoy a guided tour of the school, arranged by a member of our friendly Admissions Team who can answer any questions you may have
FACILITIES & LOCATION
A beautiful parkland setting
Our idyllic countryside setting, in rural north Essex, means we are surrounded by stunning scenery, including parkland, fields and woodland.
The former coach house and stables of Gosfield Hall make up the partly Grade 2 listed school buildings.
The school offers two classrooms per year group, plus dedicated rooms for music, science, art, languages and computers, as well as a sports hall and a well-stocked library. There are three music practice ‘pods’ where children have individual music lessons.
The grounds include netball courts, playgrounds, an adventure playground, and outdoor classrooms. Forest School and various sports are also available. Additionally, the school uses nearby facilities for cricket, hockey, and swimming.
School News
We have enthusiastic pupils who are eager to showcase their accomplishments, and we join in celebrating their triumphs through various engaging activities throughout the year. These activities, such as outings, concerts, sports events, and numerous other exciting events, are designed to enhance our pupils' learning experience.
Follow St Margaret's School on Social Media
Welcome to St Margaret`s Prep School ✨
We know that finding the right school for your child is one of the biggest decisions parents face. That perfect environment, suited especially to your child, where they will learn, grow and embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. At St. Margaret`s Prep, we pride ourselves on being just this.
Our children are happy, curious and kind. They thrive in our beautiful, countryside school, where we prioritise a holistic education, fostering character development alongside academic excellence. 📚

Ready for a fresh start? Join us here at St Margaret`s Prep! Places available from after May half term.
Our nurturing environment welcomes children aged 2-11, offering them a chance to thrive in 7 acres of expansive, leafy grounds. 🌳🌲✨
Why wait until the new academic year? Discover how we can support your child`s educational journey.
Contact us now to learn more and secure your child`s place in our vibrant school community.
☎ 01787 273 050
📧 admissions@stmargaretsprep.com

Numbers in Reception 🤩
This week, our Reception class have been enthusiastically practicing their numbers from 0-10.
First, they enjoyed the challenge of ordering the numbers outside in the fresh air. Once back in the classroom, they beautifully completed their number line writing!
Well done Reception! Your hard work is really inspiring! Keep up the fantastic effort! 💙📚

Unlock your child`s potential with an education that inspires! At St. Margaret`s Prep, we cultivate curiosity and creativity, empowering our children to excel in a supportive and nurturing environment.
📚 Places Available for a September Start! 📚
Don`t miss the chance to be part of something special.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule a visit!
☎ 01787 273 050
📧 admissions@stmargaretsprep.com

🌟 Exciting News Alert 🌟
St Margaret`s Prep Nursery is thrilled to announce that we`ve won the Top 20 Day Nursery Award for the second year in a row! 🏆
We are over the moon with this recognition and couldn`t be prouder of our beautiful nursery, our dedicated and nurturing staff, and of course, the incredible support from you—our amazing parents and carers—who trust us with your little ones. 👶❤️
Thank you all for being a part of our journey and for helping us create such a nurturing environment. Here`s to many more years of learning and growing together! 🎉
Cheers! 🥳
#AwardWinningNursery #ProudMoment #ThankYou

Bready, set, go! 🍞 🥖
Year 4 had a great time in their food tech lesson on Wednesday!
They delved into the fascinating chemistry of baking, discovering how yeast works its magic to make bread rise.
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#scienceofbaking
#prepschool
#year4cookery
#prepschoolessex

Ahoy, Mateys! 🏴☠️
Our Year 1 children had a swashbuckling Pirate Day adventure yesterday, and it was a treasure trove of fun and learning! 🌊📚
From discovering fascinating pirate facts to exploring the thrilling life of a pirate, our little buccaneers were fully engaged and having a whale of a time. It was an educational experience that made learning feel like a grand adventure! 🚢🗺️
Thank you to our parent helpers who helped make this day a roaring success!⚓️✨

Beans on Toast 🍞
Last week, our Caterpillars class embarked on a tasty journey as they explored life cycles in our nursery garden by planting beans. 🫘 To tie it all together, our Cookery lesson featured a classic favourite: beans on toast!
The children eagerly buttered their toast and took pride in creating their own delicious mid-morning snack. ✨
