Boys at St Margaret's Bushey

[Quirk1]

I've heard St Margaret's Bushey is going co-ed, and it sounds like a good fit for my son. He needs a nurturing atmosphere, not too pushy on sports but with good creative provision. I know it's only early days, but does anyone with a boy there currently have any feedback, please? Or those with girls, are there any noticeable changes with the new head in place? Thanks for your thoughts.

No experience of the school itself but it has caught the attention of many of the parents of boys at our prep for entry at 11 / 13. It’s very interesting as traditionally it’s not a school that girls from our school would go to. I think they are looking for the same things as you. Don’t want the sporty competitive environment of Berkhamsted, the fees of Aldenham, or the still boy heavy environment at St Columba’s (which is also going coed). I think it’s going to fill a real gap in the area and become a popular choice.

My only advice would be to check just how many boys are in each year. Your son might not be sporty at the moment but sometimes they just “click” with something out of the blue. It wouldn’t be great for them to be really passionate about something and them not have enough boys to even scrape together a team.

Boy numbers seem to be building quite fast in the Junior School, with occasional places being snapped up so that there are new joiners each term. The first 11+ and 13+ boys will start next September and I gather there has been plenty of interest in those places from prep school boys.

Our DS hasn’t started yet, but soon will on an occasional place and hugely enjoyed his taster/assessment day. Our dealings with the school have been very pleasant so far. DM me if you like.

I asked about the reaction of girls’ parents - apparently they have mostly adapted happily to the news of moving to co-ed, though there were a few girls who went elsewhere to continue in a single-sex environment. The Head and the Head of Junior seem to work very well together and to have an ambitious shared vision for the school.

@Quirk1 - our DS is there (in Y6) and loving it. There’s a real family feel and plenty of time for fun - see the Christmas video they’ve posted on their website - but without compromising on strong teaching and good facilities. The art is of a high standard & they’re opening a brand new performing arts centre in the coming term (complete with amphitheatre I understand). The pastoral care and general “vibe” of being a kind and happy place is one of the school’s renowned strengths.

DS is sporty and loves the sports pitches and courts - and lovely pool - onsite, as well as the general outdoorsy feel. The new Head of Sport (ex Haileybury and Habs Boys I think) is making a big impression and organising a fixtures programme for the boys to complement what they have for the girls.

What year group is your DS in now?

Thanks for your encouraging and helpful reply. The sports thing is actually not likely to change, as our son has a physical condition which means he'll never be able to scrum - everything else you mention sounds great.

I don’t think the scrum thing should be an issue at all. DS hasn’t played any rugby and doesn’t wish to. They’re very good at helping everyone find clubs and activities which suit them, whether cerebral, creative or active.

Have a look here for a flavour of the variety on offer in the Senior School:

www.stmargarets-school.org.uk/senior-school/co-curricular-sport

I’m also considering St Margaret’s for my son (Y9) and this is my major concern for it being coed only recently

@GLhk - when would your DS join in Y9, if he does?

It'll be Jan next week, start of the second term.

@GLhk

It'll be Jan next week, start of the second term.

January next year, do you mean? Feel free to PM me if that would be helpful.

Hi Jessy, PM you 😉