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
🏑 Meet our Year 5 Hockey Team!
Full of enthusiasm, great effort, and really enjoying their fixtures so far this term! 💙
🎃 Today, we celebrated the rich diversity of pumpkins with a deliciously autumnal lunch, which included pumpkin soup topped with toasted seeds, creamy bacon and pumpkin pasta, pumpkin orzo salad and a pumpkin cookie to finish 👻
@_thomasfranks
This week, our Year 5 and 6 children took part in @bikeabilityuk training, learning vital road safety skills and building their cycling confidence. With big smiles and new skills, they’re ready to enjoy the road ahead! 🚲 💙
This morning, some of our Prep children were inspired by a visit from multi-award-winning blind activist, broadcaster, and now author, Lucy Edwards! ✨
Lucy shared how her experiences shaped her new fantasy adventure Ella Jones vs the Battle Noise, a powerful reminder that disabilities don’t define limits.
Our children left feeling empowered and full of thoughtful reflections, which they shared through their own inspirational quotes. 💬
Our Reception classes are absolutely THRIVING since starting in September.
We can’t believe we’re already nearly halfway through the Autumn term! 🍂
If you`re starting to think about Reception 2026, now’s the perfect time to plan ahead. With limited spaces available, book your tour today and discover why St Margaret’s could be the perfect fit for your little learner - where happiness and academic success go hand in hand. 💙
📞 01787 273 050
📧 admissions@stmargaretsprep.com
At St Margaret’s, we believe every child deserves to thrive.
We`re proud to be a school where individuality is celebrated, and support is tailored to help every learner shine, whatever their journey may be. ✨
