WHAT? WHERE?

St Michael’s School is a non-selective Nursery and Prep for boys and girls aged 3-11 yrs. A former girls’ convent school dating back more than 100 years (its Centenary was celebrated in 2022). It’s located on a hillside in charming Leigh-on-Sea and is easily reached by car, foot or train (the station is 10 minutes away with epic Thames Estuary views).

Leigh-on-Sea is the Essex hot spot, with Londoners flocking there in droves drawn by the buzzy coffee shops, bars and restaurants on Broadway. It also boasts appealing house prices (it’s one of Muddy’s Best Places to Live in the county) as well as excellent schools like St Michael’s, well-known for its academic achievements (it’s a leading feeder for local grammar schools and is rated excellent all round in its latest ISI report), but also for its friendly atmosphere.

Children holding Christingles at St Michael's School

During our pre-Christmas tour we met pupils and staff who had joined forces in the dining hall to make Christingles (oranges, candles and candy) for a forthcoming ceremony in nearby St Margaret’s Church. It was smiles and laughter all round and left the impression that this is very much a light-hearted, community-focused school.

FACILITIES

New playground at St Micael's School — The school’s resurfaced playground is a hit with the pupils

Muddy first visited St Michael’s School back in 2023 and it made a great impression. Fast-forward two years and it’s clear to see there’s now been a major investment boost into some of the facilities, including a complete resurface of the main playground. Now a smart, smooth blue, it’s geared up for all kinds of sports (basketball, cricket, netball and football). And, when Muddy visited, it was clearly going down a storm with the pupils.

St Michael’s has also made exceptionally good use of its space, packing in a Pre-Nursery, Nursery, two classrooms per year group, refectory, main hall, Zen Zone, drama space, music room and even its own spacious 1930s chapel.

The chapel is another area that’s had a glow up with the installation of three beautiful new stained glass windows designed by renowned architectural glass artist Sarah Galloway. The washes of bright colours – reminiscent of a sunset – are beautiful, and the school’s rightly proud of this new addition, having raised the money through generous donations from parents, the PTA and pupils’ fundraising initiatives.

A small, well-stocked library is another bonus, with children (and their parents, post-school) encouraged to spend time there reading, curled up on a beanbag or sat on a mushroom stool.

The science set up is also very impressive; a light-filled room stocked with hexagon-shaped tables and all the kit your kids will need. Muddy chatted to Science lead Mr Hawkins and was amazed to discover how advanced the teaching was, from 3D printing to models of the moon and even dissections. Hawkins is a big believer in teaching practically as well as theoretically and letting pupils get hands-on experience from a young age.

There’s also a design technology room with numerous ovens, hobs and sinks – a great place for kids to learn some life skills alongside the academics (they even have a MasterChef comp!).

SPORT

It might not have acres of playing fields but St Michael’s School sure punches above its weight on the local sports scene, taking part in all manner of competitions, from tag rugby to dodgeball. Plus, Y1 and Y2 pupils are currently Southend Primary School Sports Association KS1 Dodgeball Champions!

Overseen by Miss Fox, the school’s Head of PE, some sports take place on the resurfaced playgrounds and also the main hall. Y5 and Y6 are currently silver medalists in Southend borough’s Sports Hall Athletics competition, while the Y5 and Y6 basketball team reached the finals of the SPSSA basketball competition last year, so all the hard work’s definitely paying off.

For cross country running and other field sports, the children jump on a coach to nearby Belfairs Park. All pupils also get the chance to learn to swim, as from Y2 children are taken off-site to go swimming once a week at a local leisure centre, which is included in the school fees.

CREATIVE ARTS

Dance is also a big deal at St Michael’s courtesy of Miss Cook, the school’s Royal Ballet-trained teacher. It’s great to see she’s just led the Y5 and Y6 dance team to the finals of the ISA Dance Competition, beating off more than 100 teams in the initial stages.

The school’s drama department, overseen by longstanding member of staff, Mrs Thomas, is equally as driven. Here you can expect lively lessons, club sessions, a popular annual Prep Play and after school LAMDA training, all designed to enrich pupils’ school experience and build confidence and self-esteem.

The art department at St Michael’s is exceptional and is headed up by Mrs Conlon (previously Head of Art at local grammar Westcliff High School for Girls). Bringing with her a wealth of experience and knowledge to the post, she teaches in a light, bright space with walls decorated in inspirational work – plus there’s plenty of room to create. Visiting artists are a huge hit, and the school’s recent 3D project won the National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ competition. Quite the coup.

Music is another key factor when it comes to the beating heart of the school. Headed up by Miss Tucker (who previously attended the Royal Academy of Music), she’s passionate about the subject and ensures all pupils get the opportunity to learn an instrument. There’s a main music room, well-stocked with instruments, plus various smaller rooms for private lessons. There’s even 1:1 sessions that also take place around the school. It was lovely to see pupils concentrating hard at cello, drum and piano during their lunch break throughout our tour.

Budding musicians can join the school’s two orchestras and choir, with confidence through drama and music developed early for all pupils. This is thanks to annual whole school productions and informal music concerts, where children mastering an instrument are invited to play for parents in the school hall.

LITTLIES

Pre-Nursery starts from three years (they move up to the main Nursery the September after their third birthday). A space filled with its own entrance for up to 34 children, it also boasts colourful toys and soft furnishings. In particular we loved its airy, open-plan haven with pictures of the children on the walls, soft star rugs, large windows and access to the playground.

However it’s not all play, as nursery-age children get the chance to dabble in French, music, drama and PE, as well as being very much part of main school life. There’s tech, too, including posh new interactive screens.

Lunch is brought from the refectory in little trays and enjoyed at the Nursery’s communal table. We witnessed them tucking into broccoli, beans and beef burgers with relish (and surprisingly little mess!).

ACADEMICS

Boy on a computer at St Michael's School in Essex

Sets are introduced early at St Michael’s School. It’s a clever solution to bring children up to speed before they leave, as lower sets have an adult-to-child ratio of one to 10, meaning pupils who need a boost really benefit from the extra attention to succeed.

St Michael’s isn’t an exam-passing factory, however recently released results show it outperformed local schools in KS2 SATS last year, with 87% of Y6 pupils meeting the expected level in combined reading, writing and maths (30% higher than the national average), so it’s unsurprising to discover most tend to move on to some of the best schools in the area.

Its 11+ results are impressive as well, hence it’s a feeder for Southend and Westcliff’s grammar schools. Other pupils, meanwhile, head off to selective schools such as New Hall and Brentwood, or excellent nearby comprehensives like Hadleigh’s King John School.

Learning feels like it’s made easier here, with every child given a Chromebook and a helping hand from the get-go. As a member of staff told us in passing, every pupil has the chance to be a spotlight child.

There are specialist teachers for music, art, dance, games, science, maths and languages. When it comes to languages, pupils start off learning French and then move on to Spanish, plus there’s a Japanese club as well.

PASTORAL CARE

More than an add on, pastoral care is an integral part of St Michael’s, including Worry Boxes where children can post any concerns they have, and a Rainbow Room. Staffed daily by housekeepers Lorraine or Trudy, it’s a place children can offload any worries or anxieties they’re experiencing at either school or home.

The school’s also created an outside Zen Zone from a pocket of space behind the library, where children can enjoy quiet time during break. Plus there’s a new Relaxation Room for pupils to catch a moment of calm, for additional SEND learning, or on-site counselling sessions with a qualified children and young person’s counsellor.

THE HEAD

Headmaster James Mobbs is clearly a man who gets things done. When we first met his aim was to get the bumpy school playground completely resurfaced; tick; install the stained glass windows in the chapel; tick; and create a new Relaxation Room (yes, that’s another tick). His next aim? To utilise a building and land adjacent to the school. Watch this space.

James then took us on a complete tour, from the dining hall to the chapel. It’s clear to see he’s involved in all aspects of school life, and certainly isn’t above rolling his sleeves up and helping out with break duty or teaching. Pupils are clearly fond of him, and it’s little wonder since he’s a firm believer that school should be enjoyable and about educating the whole child, rather than simply preparing them for exams.

What’s more, the implementation of added elements such as the Worry Boxes and the Relaxation Room show he knows just how important pastoral care is in a modern school. We also love the fact there’s a Mr and Mrs Mobbs’ monthly Birthday Breakfast that occurs in his office (see pic above), where the pupils receive a handwritten invite and are treated to a celebratory breakfast before getting on with their day. His motto? Happy children learn best, and we don’t think any parent would disagree.

QUIRKS

Maggie, the school’s therapy Cockapoodle, is brought in by Amy, an NHS paediatric trained nurse. Maggie’s a firm favourite with pupils who all get a chance to spend time with her – and apparently some even read to her!

Pup aside, we also love how St Michael’s is all-inclusive, meaning the fee includes pretty much everything, from clubs to meals and even a final year trip to France. No hidden costs? How refreshing.

WRAP-AROUND CARE

Children can be dropped off from 7.30am for Early Morning Care (£6 per session) and there’s After School Care (£8) from 4pm-5pm and also Extended After School Care from 5pm-6pm, for Reception to Y6 pupils (£10 including a light supper). There are, of course, dozens of after-school clubs to choose from, most of which are included in the fees and cover everything from coding and cooking to tag rugby and Tai Chi.

ISI REPORT

The latest inspection took place in 2023, which was excellent all round.

FEES

Termly fees are: Pre-School from £3,101 (without funding but St M’s does accept government funded hours); Reception £3,554 a term; Y1-Y2 £4,284; Y3-Y4 £4,626; and Y5-Y6 £5,139.

WORD ON THE GROUND

St Michael’s School is loved locally. Many former pupils have sent their own children here, and some have even returned to teach, adding to the community vibe.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Anyone looking for a small, friendly Prep that caters for (and nurtures) all types of children, whether academic, artsy, sporty, or all three. The school motto is ‘non quis, sed quid’; Latin for ‘not who you are but what you are’. Which says it all.

Not for: If your idea of the perfect prep is a red brick mansion set in a hundred acres of leafy grounds, it might not appeal.

See for yourself: If you want to check it out for yourself book a private appointment, or attend their next Open Week on 31 Mar-4 Apr.

St Michael’s School, 198 Hadleigh Road, Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 2LP

St Michael’s School, Leigh-on-Sea

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