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
At St Margaret’s Prep, happiness is the foundation of learning. When children feel confident, supported and understood, they thrive and that’s exactly what we nurture every day.
Did you know we feed 16 different secondary schools across 4 counties? That’s because we focus on finding the right next step for every child. We’re not a one size fits all school, we ensure each child transitions to the secondary school that best suits them.
Children leave St Margaret’s Prep carrying our five core values, shaped by their unique learning journey with us, and go on to do truly amazing things. 💙✨
The children have absolutely loved STEM Club this half term with Miss Marshall! From hands on experiments to problem solving challenges, curiosity and creativity have been thriving every week.
Inspiring young thinkers, innovators and future scientists - learning has never been so fun! 💙
✨ Why Our Nursery Is Award-Winning ✨
At St Margaret’s Prep Nursery, it’s the little things that make a big difference. From our nurturing environment and exceptional outdoor spaces to teacher-led specialist sessions in French, Performing Arts and P.E., every day is thoughtfully planned to help children learn, grow and thrive.
With attentive staff, personalised updates for parents, and early opportunities to learn from our Prep School teachers, we give every child the very best start. Happy children, confident learners, and a nursery full of magic 💙
It was such a privilege to drop off all the wonderful donations our amazing families gave to support the Braintree Food Bank appeal 💙
Unloading our school bus with tins, packets, boxes, and toiletries was incredibly humbling and heart warming. It really showed just how much kindness and generosity there is, and how many families and individuals this will help.
It’s been a lovely couple of weeks supporting Danaher and the Braintree Food Bank, and we’re so proud to be part of a community that cares. We can’t wait to keep supporting our local community in 2026 ✨
Join us on the second Friday of every month for our Stay & Play sessions, from 9 –10am, in our award-winning nursery. ✨
Our school is a warm, nurturing place where children are supported by passionate, experienced teachers who truly care. We pride ourselves on offering a home from home environment, where little ones feel safe, happy and confident to explore and learn.
Stay & Play is a relaxed opportunity for your child to engage with others, for you to explore whether our nursery is the right fit for your family, and to chat with our Early Years team about your child’s development.
Places are free to book via email 📧 Eleanor.smith@stmargaretsprep.com or via phone ☎ 01787 273 050
We look forward to welcoming you. 💙
Although the Christmas holidays have begun, we want to reassure you that we are still here if you need us.
School is open all week, St Mag’s Camp is running from today until Friday, and our friendly Admissions Team is available for tours or any support with joining us in the Spring Term.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch - we’re here to help. 🎄✨
Butterflies absolutely love their PSHE lessons, where they take off on St Mag’s Airline and fly to a destination of their choice! The children enjoy using their imaginations to explore the places they land, the food they might eat, and the activities they would take part in. Over the past few weeks, we’ve travelled to space, visited a zoo, and even journeyed all the way to Lapland! The children are always so engaged and excited – it’s been a joy to watch their imaginations take flight. 💙
Merry Christmas from St Margaret’s Prep 🎄
✨May your Christmas be filled with joy, peace and precious moments. We can’t wait for a very exciting 2026 full of learning, fun and new opportunities! ✨
