Headteacher’s Welcome
“Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“Training children to be confident, independent learners with enquiring minds, a life-long love of learning and an approach to life that reflects core biblical values and principles.”
Welcome to our wonderful St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School.
Whether you are a current pupil, parent, member of staff, or considering St Margaret’s for your child’s education, I offer you a very warm welcome to our school community.
St Margaret’s is situated in the heart of Barking and is proud to be part of the Diocese of Chelmsford and the Genesis Education Trust, a partnership of Church schools including St Mary’s, St Saviour’s and St Margaret’s. Together we work collaboratively to provide education that enables every child and adult to flourish. At St Margaret’s, our Christian vision, rooted in Proverbs 22:6, shapes all that we do. We believe that every child is uniquely created and deeply loved by God and we are committed to nurturing each pupil so that they grow academically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.
We are passionate about developing confident, independent learners with enquiring minds who are encouraged to ask questions, think deeply and develop a lifelong love of learning. We want our pupils to approach challenges with courage and curiosity, learning from mistakes and growing in wisdom and resilience as they prepare for the future. As a school community we are committed to continual growth and learning, not only for our pupils but for our staff. We invest significantly in professional development so that our staff are equipped to provide the very best education and care for every child entrusted to us.
St Margaret’s maintains strong and meaningful links with St Margaret’s Church and the wider community. As a Church school, our Christian ethos is expressed through daily worship, shared values and opportunities for reflection, service and community engagement. We seek to ensure that our pupils understand the importance of compassion, responsibility and serving others. Our Christian values of love, joy, patience, kindness and wisdom, inspired by the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), were chosen by pupils, parents, staff and governors. These values underpin the life of our school and guide the way we treat one another with dignity, respect and care. Although our school community includes families of many different faiths and backgrounds, our Christian vision provides a shared framework through which we nurture understanding, celebrate diversity and build a strong and supportive community. At St Margaret’s, our values are not simply taught – they are lived out each day by pupils, staff and families together, shaping the culture and character of our school.
Thank you for visiting our website. I hope you find the information helpful and gain a sense of the warmth, joy and ambition that characterise life at St Margaret’s. For ease of reference, our most recent Ofsted report (March 2025), which I am incredibly proud of, is available on the link below and the Ofsted website.
If you would like to learn more about our school, please do not hesitate to contact us. I would be delighted to welcome you and show you around our wonderful school.
Warmest regards,
Mrs S. Bannon
Headteacher