In 1760, Princess Amelia contributed £100 to support orphaned children through what would become St Margaret's School; by 1791, King George III had donated £500, drawn from the proceeds of a George Frideric Handel musical performance in Westminster Abbey. The school's origins run that deep. Today, the school occupies 60 acres of countryside near London, housed partly in a Grade II listed Victorian structure designed by Alfred Waterhouse (the architect who also created the Natural History Museum in London). The October 2025 ISI inspection confirmed that St Margaret's continues to deliver exceptionally high-quality education across all phases, from nursery through sixth form. With strong GCSE and A-level results, flexible boarding options, and a thriving co-curricular programme spanning music, drama, sport, and academics, the school serves approximately 800 pupils aged 2-18, having recently transitioned to full co-education. The independent school ranks 447th at GCSE (FindMySchool ranking, placing it in the top 10% in England) and 282nd at A-level, reflecting consistently strong academic achievement.
The atmosphere at St Margaret's blends historical gravitas with modern energy. St Margaret's School, Bushey in Merry Hill, Bushey has a strong sense of history, with heritage woven into everyday school life. Pupils move purposefully between lessons, uniforms crisp, engagement evident. The school describes itself as small enough that teachers know every child individually, large enough that opportunities are genuinely varied.
The transition to co-education in 2020 marks a significant chapter. Boys now attend alongside girls across all phases; the sixth form welcomed its first male cohort several years ago. Staff interviews available online reveal teachers genuinely invested in the school's character and mission. One senior leader describes St Margaret's as "a beautiful school where there is real warmth in relationships, where individuals and their passions are supported and stretched."
The October 2025 ISI inspection validated much of what parents observe. The report notes that pupils demonstrate empathy, tolerance, and understanding of difference; that activities such as mindfulness, woodland walks, and gardening foster mature self-awareness; and that leadership opportunities prepare pupils well for modern British society. The school's connection to its charitable origins remains evident, service and kindness are woven through the curriculum and ethos, not merely slogans on the prospectus.
Mrs Lara Pechard has led the school as Head, overseeing the co-education transition and ensuring that academic ambition remains paired with pastoral care. The school was founded in 1749 to support orphaned clergy children; while its charitable mission has evolved, the principle of educating young people to become thoughtful, capable adults persists.
At GCSE, St Margaret's achieved strong outcomes in the 2024 examination series. The school reported that 48% of grades were at 9-7 (the highest grades), and 73% of leavers progressed to Russell Group universities, a figure meaningfully above the England average (FindMySchool data). The school ranks 447th for GCSE performance, placing it squarely in the top 10% in England. Locally, the school ranks second within Hertfordshire, a competitive position reflecting the county's strong independent school sector.
Progress 8 measures, which track pupil advancement from age 11 to 16, consistently indicate that students make above-average progress. This matters particularly for families considering entry at Year 7; it suggests the school develops pupils effectively regardless of starting point.
The sixth form presents a different picture. In 2024, 50% of A-level grades were A* or A, and 73% across all grades A*-B. The school ranks 282nd in England at A-level (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 11% of A-level providers. This distinction reflects the sixth form's particular strength and the school's ability to support students through increasingly specialised study. The upper sixth form benefits from the new Music Centre, dedicated drama studio, and a wide range of facilities designed specifically for advanced learners.
Leavers' destinations confirm the academic rigour. In 2024, 82% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with strong representation at Russell Group institutions. The small cohort size (typically 50-60 students per year across both year groups) means that progression is often to competitive courses at established universities rather than universal entry to highest-ranked institutions, but the outcomes remain ambitious and reflect genuine academic achievement.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
73.2%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
47.64%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at St Margaret's balances breadth with depth. In the Junior School, all pupils benefit from specialist teaching in sport, drama, and music from age 3 onwards. Languages begin in Year 3; STEM, reasoning, and outdoor learning, including woodland-based sessions, are integrated throughout. Enrichment time daily in Years 4-6 includes academic booster classes, bushcraft skills, and public speaking, signalling that academic extension happens as naturally as remediation.
The Senior School operates with an explicitly challenging academic philosophy. Lessons are structured to prepare pupils "across the examination years rather than for a stressful sprint towards the exams," as the school describes it. Small class sizes (typical for independent schools) enable teachers to tailor support to individual needs. Pupils can access Ancient Greek, Latin, and a broad range of sciences taught separately, alongside facilitating A-levels (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, geography, history, and languages) as well as arts subjects.
The ISI inspection found that the school has developed an aspirational, broad, and responsive curriculum, with co-curricular opportunities combining effectively with academic programmes to underpin good progress. Teaching staff appear invested in subject expertise; the school emphasises that teachers remain engaged with their disciplines beyond the classroom.
For the sixth form, university entry is the assumed next step. The Extended Project Qualification and General Studies programme ensure that sixth form years encompass both specialised A-level study and broader intellectual development. In 2024, 82% of leavers progressed to university, with many securing places at Russell Group institutions including Imperial College, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, and Warwick. Oxbridge applications are typically modest in number (3 applications in the measurement period with nil acceptances), but the school remains part of the established pathways to high-tariff universities. Approximately 14% of leavers entered apprenticeships or other post-18 pathways.
For younger pupils, the school emphasises pathway within its all-through structure. Junior School pupils transition naturally to the Senior School at Year 7; most remain through to GCSE. The school does not publish specific figures for secondary-to-sixth-form progression, but the all-through model reduces external transition disruption.
The Sixth Form Centre includes a UCAS library and dedicated university preparation, with all students receiving guidance on applications, interviews, and course selection. Universities visited include a broad spectrum, and the school actively maintains connections with higher education institutions to ensure students understand options beyond the Russell Group.
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The co-curricular programme is a signature strength. The school structures it systematically, with timetabled sessions alongside lunch-time, after-school, and weekend opportunities ensuring that every student finds multiple avenues to develop skills and interests.
Students interested in advanced academics join focused clubs. The Ancient Greek Club welcomes all levels from absolute beginners. STEM Club, Law Society, Biomedical Society, and Coding provide rigorous intellectual challenge. For pupils seeking to debate and discuss, the Oxbridge Discussion Group, History Discussion Group, MUN (Model United Nations), Go Curiosity Club, Philosophy Club, and Psychology Society offer sustained engagement with ideas. The Newspaper Club, Physics Journaling Club, and Economics Podcast Society extend into journalism and specialist communication.
The newly completed Music Centre serves as the hub. Pupils access individual music lessons (termly bookings of ten lessons cost £275), orchestra, band, multiple choirs, and regular concerts and performances. The specialist drama studio hosts LAMDA lessons (Speech and Drama, ranging from group classes at £140 termly to individual lessons at £275), drama clubs, theatre appreciation society, coffee house performances, and comedy sketch clubs. Annual dramatic and musical productions are significant school events; recent examples include Come From Away and The Little Mermaid, showcasing ensemble casts and sustained creative commitment.
The Art Department occupies a light, dedicated building housing discrete spaces for painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and textiles. Pupils learn to develop photographs in a dedicated dark room and fire ceramics in the school kiln. Charity fashion shows and ongoing portfolio development mean that art extends beyond classroom assessment into genuine creative practice.
The John Owen Sports Centre (opened by Princess Anne in 2005) anchors physical activity. Facilities include a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, multi-purpose studio, and outdoor all-weather courts. Sport is compulsory for all pupils but structured to be enjoyable rather than purely competitive. The range spans netball, football, swimming, gymnastics, cricket, basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, tennis, athletics, rounders, dance, trampolining, fitness classes, and physical training sessions. District and county competition opportunities exist for those seeking higher-level play. Importantly, the school also offers recreational options: salsa dancing, HIIT workouts, and circuit training attract pupils who love movement but may not identify as traditional "sports" players.
Sixth formers serve as peer mentors and volunteer in the local community. Sports leadership and coaching qualifications are available, as are lifeguard training within the on-site pool. Prefect, Form, and Sports Captain roles abound, ensuring leadership is genuinely distributed rather than confined to a small elite. The School Student Council shapes school direction, and student voice is formally consulted on significant matters.
Meditation Club, yoga, and dedicated downtime spaces (including quiet areas and woodland walks) support mental health explicitly. The Chapel serves as a space for reflection and music. Duke of Edinburgh (awards available at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels) combines outdoor adventure with personal development. Outdoor leadership trips and creative writing in natural settings broaden the definition of enrichment beyond traditional club structures.
"Just for fun" clubs round out provision: Desert Island Discs, Song Writing, Crafting, Art, Augury Club, and others ensure that pupils pursue genuine interests rather than merely accumulating credentials. The existence of such diversity suggests the school trusts that student wellbeing and development emerge from authentic engagement, not external pressure.
St Margaret's operates on a termly fee structure. From September 2025:
Fees data coming soon.
Fees include tuition, textbooks, educational materials, after-school supervised study, and laundry for boarders. There is no additional charge for meals during compulsory school time. A 10% discount applies for older siblings, children of Anglican clergy, British service personnel, and alumni.
Registration fees are £180 for UK applicants (Nursery–Year 13) or £235 for overseas applicants. Deposits, refundable at the end of a pupil's time at the school (minus any costs), are £1,200 for day pupils, £1,800 for deferred entry pupils, and £2,400 for boarders.
The school offers both scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are merit-based awards recognising outstanding achievement or promise in academic subjects, music, sport, art, or all-round excellence; these typically provide 10–25% fee reduction. Bursaries are means-tested and aim to support families experiencing financial difficulty. The school states that "a limited number of bursaries are available for potential 11+ and Sixth Form candidates who perform well in entrance examinations and whose families are in need of financial assistance." Applications are always means-tested and involve completing a confidential statement of income and expenditure, followed by an interview with the Bursar. Bursaries can also support existing pupils whose circumstances change mid-way through their education. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Music lessons (ten lessons per term) cost £275 individually. Speech and Drama lessons are charged separately: paired lessons £208 per term; individual lessons £275 per term.
Breakfast Club (pre-booked) costs £6 per day; After School Club (Junior School only, 4pm–6pm) is £8 per hour.
The school emphasises pastoral care as "the central pillar upon which the success of the school is based." Form tutors and heads of year maintain close contact with pupils, meeting them regularly and monitoring academic and personal development. The ISI inspection found that pupils feel empowered to express themselves freely and that the school operates as a genuinely caring community. Teachers demonstrate knowledge of individual pupils' needs, strengths, and development areas.
For boarders, pastoral support extends into residential life. The school offers a mix of historic and modern boarding accommodation, with personalised support and EAL provision for international students. Boarding staff live on or near campus, creating continuity of care.
Mental health resources are embedded. The school employs counselling staff, runs meditation and mindfulness programmes, and maintains spaces specifically designed for reflection. The proximity to woodland and the integration of outdoor learning mean that nature-based wellbeing is not an afterthought but a structured part of school life.
Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. The school operates a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and maintains robust safeguarding procedures (confirmed in the October 2025 ISI inspection). Mobile phones are collected during the school day (8am–6pm) and stored in Yondr pouches, reducing distraction and protecting focus.
Admissions operate across multiple entry points: Nursery (from age 2), Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 (occasionally), Year 12 (Sixth Form), and Year 13 (Sixth Form progression). Entry is by registration followed by entrance examination, interview, and reference from current school. For Sixth Form entry, students must meet specific A-level subject prerequisites and GCSE grade requirements.
The school states that it prioritises "potential over prior attainment" and that admissions decisions reflect not only examination performance but also interview conduct and school reports. Families are encouraged to visit on Open Days or arrange 1-1 tours to understand whether the school is a good fit.
The school does not employ strict catchment boundaries, but being within the Hertfordshire/North London regions and within reasonable distance for day pupils is practical. Extensive private coach services operate across four main routes, extending reach. Approximately 10% of pupils each year come from outside the UK, indicating international appeal.
The school is located on Merry Hill Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, within easy reach of London and major UK transport links including the M25, M1, and London Underground (via nearby stations). Extensive private coach services run four main routes covering Hertfordshire and North London areas. For day pupils, this reduces travel stress; for those further afield, boarding becomes more attractive.
The school offers campus tours by appointment. A detailed campus map is available on the website.
Boarding commitment. While day places are available at all phases, the school clearly invests in boarding infrastructure and culture. Families choosing day places should recognise that boarding-specific activities, house systems, and weekend engagement may feel peripheral unless deliberately engaged. Conversely, boarders form tight communities and develop independence early.
Co-education transition. The school completed its transition to co-education in 2020, meaning boys now attend alongside girls across all phases. The benefits (broader peer group, social development) are real, but families seeking single-sex education should look elsewhere. The transition itself appears smooth and inclusive.
Fees and financial aid availability. Despite generous sibling discounts (10%) and a bursary scheme, fees are substantial and place the school firmly in the independent sector. Bursaries are described as "limited in number," meaning access for families below a certain income threshold may be constrained. Families for whom fees are a stretch should apply for bursaries early and understand that competition is real.
Academic entrance expectations. Entry beyond Nursery and Reception requires entrance examination and interview. The school's above-average results mean that the intake is academically strong, and pupils are expected to engage seriously with learning. Families should be honest about whether their child thrives in a demanding academic environment or prefers a more relaxed approach.
Oxbridge aspiration realistic? The school sends very few pupils to Oxbridge (nil in the measurement period, 3 applications). While Russell Group progression is strong, families harbouring Oxbridge ambitions should recognise that this school, while excellent, is not a traditional feeder to Oxford and Cambridge. Pastoral support exists, but scale is small.
St Margaret's is a fundamentally sound independent school serving families across a wide geographic area through day, weekly, and full boarding options. The October 2025 ISI inspection confirmed that the school meets all required standards with acknowledged quality across academic, co-curricular, and pastoral provision. The 275-year history, rooted in educational philanthropy, gives the school a sense of purpose that transcends mere examination success. GCSE and A-level results are consistently strong, rankings confirm top-decile performance, and leavers progress to reputable universities.
The co-education transition, completed in 2020, has broadened the school's appeal while maintaining its character. Facilities are excellent, ranging from the historic Waterhouse building to the newly opened Music Centre. The co-curricular programme is exceptional, offering genuine breadth, from Meditation Club to Model United Nations, from the 25m pool to the kiln, from LAMDA drama to Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.
Best suited to families seeking an independent, all-through education combining academic challenge with genuine pastoral care, in a rural setting near London, with flexibility to board or day-attend. The school is ideal for pupils who are academically capable and engaged; who appreciate a school where history and tradition underpin, but do not dominate, modern practice; and who value community and service as part of their education.
The main limiting factor is fees and boarding availability. While financial aid exists, it is means-tested and limited. For families for whom independent school fees are financially comfortable, St Margaret's offers genuine value: excellence in teaching, strong results, a vibrant co-curricular life, and consistent pastoral oversight. For families on tighter budgets, state school alternatives (or independent schools with stronger bursary provision) may be more realistic.
Yes. The school met all required ISI standards in its October 2025 inspection, with the inspectorate acknowledging high quality across academic, co-curricular, and pastoral provision. At GCSE, the school ranks 447th in England (top 10%, FindMySchool ranking), with 48% of grades at 9–7. At A-level, it ranks 282nd in England (top 11%, FindMySchool ranking), with 50% of grades A* or A. 82% of sixth-form leavers progressed to university in 2024 at St Margaret's School, Bushey. The school has a 275-year history rooted in educational excellence and charitable values.
Junior School day fees range from £5,993 per term (Reception–Year 2) to £7,404 per term (Year 3–6), equating to approximately £18,000–£22,000 annually. Senior School and Sixth Form day fees are £8,874 per term (approximately £26,600 annually). Boarding fees range from £12,302 per term (weekly, 1–3 nights) to £16,877 per term (full boarding), equating to approximately £36,900–£50,600 annually. Individual music lessons cost £275 per ten-lesson block. A 10% sibling discount applies, as does a discount for children of clergy, service personnel, and alumni. Bursaries are available, means-tested, and limited in number.
The school accepts applications at Nursery (age 2), Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 12 (Sixth Form), and occasionally Year 9. Entry involves registration, entrance examination, interview, and school reference. The school prioritises potential over prior attainment and welcomes families to visit on Open Days or arrange 1-1 tours. The school operates without formal catchment boundaries but serves families in Hertfordshire, North London, and beyond via private coaching routes.
The school offers a comprehensive range: netball, football, swimming, gymnastics, cricket, basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, tennis, athletics, rounders, dance, trampolining, and fitness. Students can also access Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze, Silver, Gold), outdoor leadership trips, sports coaching and lifeguard qualifications, and recreational activities like salsa dancing. Academic clubs include Oxbridge Discussion, MUN, Law Society, STEM Club, Coding, Ancient Greek, and Psychology Society. Creative pursuits include multiple choirs, orchestra, band, LAMDA drama, photography, ceramics, textile design, and art. Leadership opportunities include prefect roles, sports captaincy, and peer mentoring.
The school opened a new Music Centre in 2024, offering dedicated spaces for individual lessons (£275 per ten-lesson block), orchestra, band, choirs, and performances. The specialist drama studio and hall host LAMDA lessons (group lessons £140 termly, paired £208, individual £275), drama clubs, theatre appreciation, coffee house performances, and annual dramatic and musical productions such as Come From Away (2025) and The Little Mermaid (2025). The school also houses a dedicated dark room for photography development and a kiln for ceramics firing.
The 60-acre campus includes the Grade II listed Waterhouse building (designed by the architect of the Natural History Museum), the John Owen Sports Centre (opened by Princess Anne in 2005) featuring a 25m heated swimming pool, gymnasium, and multi-purpose studio, the newly completed Music Centre, a specialist drama studio and hall, dedicated Art, Science, Maths, English, Humanities, and Languages buildings, computer suites, a large flexible library, a UCAS centre for Sixth Form students, the Chapel (for reflection and music), outdoor all-weather courts, and extensive woodland play and learning spaces. Boarding accommodation blends historic and modern buildings.
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