Welcome to St. Margaret’s School

St. Margaret's is an exceptional private nursery and day school, situated on acres of picturesque listed parkland in the charming North Essex village of Gosfield. Our school warmly welcomes boys and girls aged two to eleven, offering both nursery and preparatory programs.

Our idyllic rural location near the market town of Halstead is conveniently located with easy access to the A120, making travel to nearby cities such as Colchester, Chelmsford, and Suffolk a breeze. With a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern convenience, St. Margaret's offers a truly unique educational experience.

We would love to meet your family and show you around. Please contact us to book a private tour or to reserve your place at a forthcoming open event or fun family experience.

Attend an Open Day

Our Ethos & Aims

Joyful, creative and determined

At St. Margaret’s we value creativity, allowing individuals to flourish and grow. We foster a love of learning and ensure that school life is fun, creating an environment where every child aspires to do their best.

Proud of our learning journeys

At St. Margaret’s we provide a high quality education, where children can grow in knowledge and understanding and where achievements are celebrated.

Respectful Global citizens

At St. Margaret’s we encourage independence, respect for others and personal responsibility, whilst promoting a sense of community and collaboration within the school and the wider world.

Kind, caring friends

At St. Margaret’s we provide a nurturing, inclusive environment treating every child with the highest standards of courtesy, honesty and fairness, encouraging them to support others.

Confident communicators

At St. Margaret’s we enable every child to communicate with confidence in every situation.

Meet our Headteacher

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, sport and the arts, particularly music.

Our pupils are our greatest achievement and we are so proud to be a part of their lives.

"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

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An excellent all-round education

We are 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 around the school by a member of our friendly Admissions Team who can answer any questions you may have.

Book a Personal Tour

FACILITIES & LOCATION

A beautiful parkland setting

St. Margaret’s is in rural north Essex, surrounded by parkland, woodland, fields, and a private road. The former coach house and stables of Gosfield Hall make up the school buildings and are set in seven acres of grounds.

The school offers two classrooms per year group, plus dedicated rooms for music, science, art, and computers, as well as a sports hall and library.

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.

Take the virtual tour

Find out more about our Facilities and Location

“St. Margaret’s has given my children the best start in life. Giving them the opportunity to become their best, in a nurturing environment.”

– Parent, St Margaret’s

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Begin an unforgettable adventure.

Children who join St Clare’s develop their confidence and gain a genuine love for learning, putting them on the path to success.

Your child's learning journey

Nursery

2 ½ - 4 yrs old

Reception Class

4 - 5 yrs old

Preparatory School

5 - 11 yrs old

Senior School

11 - 16 yrs old

Sixth Form

16 - 18 yrs old

Admissions

6 easy steps

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Open Days & Visits

Academic Excellence

Facilities & Location

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