St. Margaret's Preparatory School
School Profile
St Margaret's Preparatory School is an independent co-educational day preparatory school for boys and girls age 3-11, situated in the grounds of St Mary's School, Calne. The children share the excellent facilities of St Mary's including sports pitches, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, theatre, Chapel, and dining hall. The classes are small, with an optimum number of eighteen children in each group. Consequently, there are all the advantages of a large school, whilst retaining the caring atmosphere of a small one.
There is a high academic standard throughout the school and the children are taught to learn the value of hard work and how to accept discipline and responsibility. In addition to this, every aspect of a child's character is developed. The children are thoroughly prepared for Common Entrance and Senior School 11+ examinations and the school has an impressive record of success in gaining major scholarships to leading public schools, both in academic areas and in The Arts. In 2008 all candidates were once again successful in passing entrance examinations for their chosen senior schools and scholarship awards were given by St Mary's,Calne, King Edward's, Bath and the Royal High School, Bath.
St Margaret's is inspected routinely by both Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Following an inspection during 2008, St Margaret's was identified as an 'Outstanding Independent School' by Ofsted. In February 2007 the Inspectors concluded that: 'High quality leadership and management ensure an outstanding quality of education, promote excellent personal development, care and welfare, and enable the school to meet its aims. This is a happy school and pupils are courteous, work very hard and thoroughly enjoy their work and play.'
The school was recently given a glowing report by parents in the first-ever independent parents' survey. Ninety-nine per cent of those parents felt that the school had either fullfilled or exceeded their initial expectations, and 91 per cent were 'completely' or 'very satisfied' with the school. The report found that 86 per cent of parents would recommend St Margaret's to others. Ninety families - 65 per cent of families at the school - took part in the survey.
The survey was carried out by independent assessors, RSAcademics which assesses independent schools around the country. The assessors looked at everything from school facilities to the quality of teaching and leadership, administration, communication and uniform. The report said: 'St Margaret's has successfully forged strong relationships with parents and this is reflected both in the high warmth ratings awarded, which again outperform the norm for prep schools, and combined with the additional written comments are extremely positive."
From September 2009, the school will be awarding means-tested Community Bursaries. The new bursaries extend the education opportunities offered at St Margaret's to the wider community and to those children who show academic promise, but whose families have limited financial means. Children will be required to sit an assessment before being offered a place. The award is open to children either entering or already in key stage two - years three to six. Some children will be offered bursaries of 100 per cent award while others may receive a percentage reduction on the fees.
St Margaret's prides itself on its high standard of pastoral care. Every effort is made to ensure that the children never feel lost or bewildered, and that they quickly find their feet and are given a sense of belonging..
School Criteria
Independent private co-educational day school in Wiltshire, England. 3 to 11, 198+ pupils
ISN Rankings
School Address
St. Margaret's Preparatory School
Curzon Street
Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 0DF
England
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For further related information, including Inspection Reports, Reviews, Alumni, Recruitment, Academic Results, School Website, Local Roadmaps, Aerial Photos, School News and Area Information, see the Independent Schools Directory entry for St. Margaret's Preparatory School.
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