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.
Winners: The Top 20 Day Nurseries Award
We're delighted to have been awarded the 'Top 20 Day Nursery Award'.
The annual Nursery Awards 2024 recognises 20 of the top-rated Nurseries in each region of the UK based on reviews from parents/individuals responsible for a child.
You can read some of our fantastic reviews below.
Finalists!
We are delighted to announce that we are finalists in the ISA Junior School of the Year Award.
The ISA comprises around 600 schools and it is so fantastic to be recognised for all of the work that our staff team and pupils have done to build such a wonderful school.
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
To all our St Margaret`s families, we hope you have a marvellous Easter.
We can`t wait to welcome you back on Wednesday
We are still here if you need us

Year 2`s Great Fire of London Adventure
Year 2 had an incredible day bringing history to life with their Great Fire of London event! Dressed in period costumes, the children immersed themselves in the past by making ink and using quills, weaving, and enjoying a variety of interactive activities. It was a fantastic culmination of everything they learned this term, and they absolutely loved it!
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#GreatFireOfLondon #HistoryComesAlive #InteractiveLearning #year2funtimes

Come and explore our award-winning nursery! Join us for a FREE Stay and Play session on Friday, April 25th, from 9am to 10am.
It`s the perfect chance to meet our dedicated Early Years staff, mingle with our adorable nursery children, and see our vibrant setting in action.
We can`t wait to welcome you!
To book your free place, email admissions@stmargaretsprep.com or call 01787 273 050
#NurseryFun #StayAndPlay #EarlyYears #FamilyTime

Congratulations to ex pupil, First officer Izzy at her first day at easyJet.
What a great inspiration to women in aviation
Thank you for sharing these achievements with us!

The nursery has been filled with excitement as we`ve watched our little chicks hatch over the last couple of weeks!
It`s been a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about life cycles and witness the miracle of new beginnings first-hand. Each chick has brought joy and curiosity into our classroom, and it`s been great watching them change and grow each day.
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#LifeCycles #ChickHatching

Discover the Unique World of St Margaret`s Reception Class
Unlock a world of wonder and learning at St Margaret`s, where our Reception class offers a one-of-a-kind educational experience that nurtures your child`s growth and curiosity.
Why Choose St Margaret`s?
Innovative Learning Environment: Our hands-on, play-based approach encourages creativity and exploration.
Personalised Attention: Small class sizes ensure each child receives the attention they deserve.
Community Spirit: Join a vibrant community of learners, teachers, and families working together for your child`s success.
Don`t wait—enquire today and take the first step toward an incredible educational journey for your little one. This could be the best decision you make for their future! 01787 273 050
admissions@stmargaretsprep.com
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#StMargarets #ReceptionClass #EarlyYearsEducation #EnquireNow

Year 5 Design Technology
From Concept to Creation: Marble Runs
Over the past few weeks, Year 5 have embarked on an exciting journey in DT with Mrs Arnold! They`ve channelled their creativity and teamwork into designing and building their very own marble runs. Witnessing their ideas come to life, from sketching initial designs to assembling the final product, has been very inspiring.
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#Year5 #MarbleRun #DesignTechnology #YoungEngineers
