Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where-nbsp">WHAT? WHERE?&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="838" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/1-1.jpg" alt="Oakfields prep school building " class="wp-image-12643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/1-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/1-1-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/1-1-768x644.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/1-1-626x525.jpg 626w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Things have had a shake-up at this community-minded, co-educational, non-selective prep thanks to the arrival of new head Matthew Booth. Since sweeping in and taking up the reins six months ago, the former deputy head of Salcombe Prep in London has been making his mark, from implementing a new reading scheme to allowing staff to get more creative, resulting in noticeably more colourful classrooms and corridors.  </p>



<p>I could feel a buzz in the air at the 217-pupil school, which occupies a surprisingly large seven-acre site off Upminster High Street and takes children from two-and-a-half (nursery) through to 11 years. The main Grade II-listed school building was once Harwood Hall, home to Sir Jame Esdail who became  Lord Mayor of London in 1777, and at first glance looks a bit like a mini castle. It&#8217;s elegant, but not intimidating. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities-nbsp">FACILITIES&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-06_0032.jpg" alt="Oakfields prep school pupils " class="wp-image-12644" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-06_0032.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-06_0032-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-06_0032-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-06_0032-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Plenty to get excited about, not least the covered, heated swimming pool (no boring bus journeys to far-off pools for lessons here!), a large new nursery playground and impressive three-acre sports field complete with athletics track.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Money’s recently been pumped into the new Early Years Village, which even has its own orchard, while in the main building there’s a lovely library complete with comfy nooks for curling up with a book, additional smaller, early years library, main hall and light, airy classrooms with high ceilings and views of the leafy grounds. </p>



<p>A separate block houses rooms for music and Spanish, Oakfields specialises in Spanish rather than French, with all pupils from nursery upwards learning the lingo to an impressively high standard. Mr Booth&#8217;s planning to take things one step further by offering a new Y6 Spanish residential in 2025. Watch this space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-amp-drama">MUSIC&nbsp;&amp; DRAMA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Music.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17731" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Music.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Music-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Music-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Importance is placed on music (both theory and practical) at Oakfields. It&#8217;s taught in a suitably inspiring setting, a classroom lined with keyboards and instruments and a vibrant notes and clefs mural adorning an entire wall &#8211; the result of a Year 6 Legacy Project, a charming idea where those departing the school leave their mark in a positive way. </p>



<p>Music&#8217;s part of the curriculum from nursery up, but there’s also the chance to take individual lessons in instruments ranging from piano to strings and drums. All children are encouraged to enter exams with the Associated Boards of Music.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I came across a group of Y6&#8217;s rehearsing a Kelly Clarkson song for their end of year prize-giving ceremony and they looked so relaxed and sounded so harmonious, it was a surprise to be told they&#8217;d only just learnt it from their teacher, Miss McGuire (Head of Key Stage 2). She was also enthusiastic about the changes currently taking place at the school, particularly teacher wellbeing, saying she felt a new sense of &#8216;ownership and empowerment&#8217;.</p>



<p>Drama-wise, a new initiative this year included a production of Robin Hood-inspired play <em>Hoodwinked</em> being performed at nearby New Windmill Hall, a drive by Mr Booth to involve the local community more in school events. Pupils walked to the hall to see the performance in the day, while parents and the public booked to see it at night. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sport-nbsp">SPORT&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-05_0295.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12645" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-05_0295.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-05_0295-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-05_0295-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-05_0295-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Did I mention it had its own heated pool? All pupils from Reception upwards have lessons, so it would be hard to leave Oakfields without having mastered swimming.&nbsp;Away from the splash zone, its athletics is admirably strong, with the school bagging two gold medals and one silver in the recent ISA Athletics finals in Birmingham. Impressive stuff. </p>



<p>Traditional sports like football, hockey, tennis and cricket are naturally included in the timetable, making the most of the lush grounds and courts, but there’s also the chance to try a wider variety of extra-curricular activities including table tennis, netball and cross-country running.&nbsp;And Mr Booth&#8217;s widened the choice of enrichment clubs even further, adding archery, golf, ballet and female footie (the brilliantly named Lionettes club meet on Saturdays at the school). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics-nbsp">ACADEMICS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-03_0144.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-03_0144.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-03_0144-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-03_0144-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-03_0144-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Class sizes are small with around 16 pupils per class.&nbsp;At the moment there are two classes per year group, apart from Y6 which currently has one, though Mr Booth has plans to expand the school slightly to a 230-pupil capacity, allowing two groups within Y6. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-04_0245.jpg" alt="Oakfields prep school pupil " class="wp-image-12649" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-04_0245.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-04_0245-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-04_0245-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-04_0245-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Parents looking for a school that will encourage and enable their children to pass entrance exams such as the 11+ will be delighted to learn that specialist tuition is included within the fee price. The results speak for themselves, with pupils going on to a broad range of independent, Grammar and top-tier secondary schools including The Coopers School, Bancroft’s School, Southend Grammar, Brentwood School, New Hall, St Catherine’s, Sevenoaks School and Wycombe Abbey School.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many leavers win academic scholarships too, with 88% of pupils working above the national average in maths and 85% above in English, according to the most recent GL assessment results.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-littlies">LITTLIES&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Littlies.jpg" alt="Oakfields Prep school pupil " class="wp-image-17728" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Littlies.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Littlies-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Littlies-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pupils from two-and-a-half to four years learn in The Early Years Village, which has a really spacious playground, orchard, mud kitchen and story-telling corner. Inside, there are three bright classrooms and I loved seeing all the children&#8217;s work on the walls, particularly a Summer Holiday display complete with photos of pupils lying down cut out and pasted onto colourful sun-loungers &#8211; fun and creative, which sums up the overall vibe. </p>



<p>Littlies are very much part of the school rather than a separate entity, with the majority continuing all the way through to Year 6. They follow a heightened early years foundation stage curriculum from the get go, including literacy, maths, art and design and understanding the world.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head">THE HEAD&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Matthew-Booth-Headteacher.jpg" alt="Matthew Booth, headmaster of Oakfields prep school " class="wp-image-17730" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Matthew-Booth-Headteacher.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Matthew-Booth-Headteacher-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/Matthew-Booth-Headteacher-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Matthew Booth comes across as fun, flamboyant and about as far removed from a po-faced independent school headmaster as you could get. Having taught and become the Head of Primary at an international school in a career spanning 17 years in the UAE before becoming the deputy head at London-based Salcombe Prep, his background in teaching is far more cosmopolitan than most and consequently he seems unfazed by change and innovation. In fact he appears to relish it. </p>



<p>Over a cup of tea in his airy office, he outlined his vision for the school, which includes rolling out the new reading curriculum, closer links with the local community, increased pupil power (including the introduction of a student council which meets every three weeks), empowering teachers to be more autonomous (&#8216;If they want to put pupils&#8217; work and art on the walls, they don&#8217;t have to ask!&#8217;) and keeping parents better informed of school practices (from entrance exam advice to pupil achievements) through a new 20-page weekly newsletter. </p>



<p>Inclusion (parents, pupils, staff) is something he&#8217;s passionate about, as he looks to nurture a family vibe at Oakfields. He explains that he&#8217;s looking to stretch children to reach their full potential, hence the smart new reading scheme that allows kids as young as 6 or 7 to be reading books way above their age range if they&#8217;re ready. I warmed to his fresh ideas, such as introducing a residential program for pupils as young as Y2 (a one-night sleepover at school!), which is bound to go down well with kids and parents. And he&#8217;s also implementing a new house system starting in September, with pupils being divided into Chestnut, Elm, Oak and Willow (tree varieties all found in school grounds).   </p>



<div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container">
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS </h2>



<p>A large, handmade oak tree stands proud in the entrance corridor, where children&#8217;s achievements are written on acorn-shaped paper and hung from the branches &#8211; a charming, original way to mark success. Astro turf-lined sofas can be found in the grounds (a first for me on a school tour!). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care-nbsp">WRAP AROUND CARE&nbsp;</h2>
</div></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-02_0166.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-02_0166.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-02_0166-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-02_0166-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/06/230503_OAKFIELDS-02_0166-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pre-and-post school care is available for kids in nursery upwards. There’s a daily breakfast club kicking off at 7.30am and lots of after-school clubs including sports, games, arts and crafts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Under Mr Booth&#8217;s leadership, this wrap around care&#8217;s being taken in-house to allow greater flexibility. In reality this means that rather than having to book breakfast club a week in advance, from September onwards children can be dropped off early with less than 24 hours notice &#8211; music to the ears of most parents. </p>



<p>On a slightly different note, you can also bung your kids into the increasing number of school holiday clubs for kids aged 4-12 years &#8211; in the past these have been multi-activity camps including team games, pedal karts, nature art and messy play. &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral-care-nbsp">PASTORAL CARE&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s evidently a caring school and pupils&#8217; concerns are taken seriously. A wellbeing counsellor is on hand to see any pupils needing some time out (with permission from parents) to deal with anything from anxiety to bereavement or divorce.&nbsp;I spotted cuddly worry monsters and worry boxes in classes, which pupils are encouraged to use (several of them told me they really do use them, so they&#8217;re not just for show). Older years are also encouraged to look after younger years, including door duty, where they meet  littlies and accompany them to their classrooms. It was heartwarming to witness how delighted younger pupils were to see the two Y6s leading my tour. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobile-phone-policy-nbsp">MOBILE PHONE POLICY&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Bad news, kids. No phones or smart watches are allowed to be used during the school day (even during break times).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>In line with other good schools in the area. Nursery two full days, £1,700 per term, leading to five full days, £4250. Reception &amp; prep, £4370; Yrs 1-2, £4480; Y3, £4660; Yrs 4-6, £4750 per term. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground-nbsp">WORD ON THE GROUND&nbsp;</h2>



<p>There’s a community vibe, with plenty of new initiatives to further improve relationships with parents and carers, such as regular FIMS (Family Information Meetings). Apparently the Parent Teacher Association&#8217;s seriously active, in fact during my visit a long jump was about to be installed, which the PTA had funded. </p>



<p>I was given a tour of the school by two Y6 pupils, Sia and Khadija, who told me how much they&#8217;d loved their time at Oakfields, and who looked shocked when I asked them if there was any bullying. &#8220;It just doesn&#8217;t really happen here,&#8221; they agreed in unison. Which says it all really. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report">ISI REPORT</h2>



<p>The last <a href="https://app.librisunify.com/pageturner/view/eff4dfa9-fc72-4be9-9cca-32dc8b16e5f5?_ga=2.87302488.1165057704.1687339906-361373438.1687339904" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISI inspection</a> took place in March 2022, and the overall verdict was that the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements was &#8216;excellent’.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Parents who want a diverse, friendly, smaller school with a strong sense of community and excellent guidance when it comes to navigating entrance exams for senior schools. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you’re after a through school experience from 3-18 with all the trimmings, this isn’t the one.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dare to disagree?&nbsp;Be my guest, the school runs regular <a href="https://www.oakfieldspreparatoryschool.co.uk/admissions-and-fees-2/open-days-visits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Days</a> so you can go see for yourself. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.oakfieldspreparatoryschool.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakfields Preparatory School</a>, Harwood Hall, Harwood Hall Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2YG</p>


Oakfields Preparatory School, Upminster

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