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, we offer a true home-from-home experience where every child is known, valued and supported to become the very best version of themselves.
Our warm, family atmosphere and exceptional pastoral care ensure that children feel safe, confident and ready to embrace every opportunity that comes their way.
Within our beautiful village setting, learning is joyful and full of possibility - a place where curiosity and creativity are encouraged, friendships flourish and achievements are celebrated. We nurture resilience and a growth mindset in every pupil, helping them to move from “I can’t” to “I can’t yet,” and ultimately to “I can.”
In our caring, forward-thinking environment, each child is inspired to believe in themselves, to take pride in their journey and to be Prepared. For Everything.
To see our school in action and for further information please contact our friendly admissions team 💙
☎️ 01787 273 050
📧 admissions@stmargaretsprep.com
💙 A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Rotary Box collection - your kindness truly makes a difference. From now until Christmas, we’ll be collecting donations for Braintree Food Bank and Danaher Animal Shelter. Together, we can make the season brighter for everyone. 🥫🐾
Welcome to St Margaret’s Prep 💙
Where children feel safe, valued, and inspired. Our entrance is just the beginning of a journey filled with warmth, care, and endless possibilities - because every child can achieve, even if they’re still learning how. ✨🏡
Happy Monday 💙
We’re kick off a busy week of learning and fun with an exciting enrichment day organised by our wonderful PA! Our children will be racing in to space with a special workshop - ‘Major Tom’ needs their help with a mission 🚀
This week also bring the ISA Esports Competition, rugby and hockey fixtures, Year 6 Forest School, a Year 5 Ancient Egyptian experience and our Year 3 Science Assembly, where parents and carers are invited to celebrate their fantastic work so far. ✨
Let’s make it a brilliant week 🧪 🧑🚀 🚀
Hard work, teamwork, and kindness - our Year 6 girls have it all! After finishing runners up in their Netball tournament today, they then spent their afternoon supporting our Nursery children in their PE lesson 💙
#RoleModels #TeamSpirit
🌟 Open Week: 19th – 23rd January 2026 🌟
Come and see our school in action, meet our dedicated teachers, explore how we prepare your child for success, and discover the wide range of schools we feed into - helping you find the perfect fit for your child.
With our personalised approach and a home-from-home atmosphere, we’re proud to offer a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. 💫
📅 Book your visit today – we can’t wait to welcome you!
☎️ 01787 273 050
📧 admissions@stmargaretsprep.com
