The Downs Malvern

The school focuses on a holistic approach to education, balancing academic rigour with creativity, kindness, and community. It emphasizes the development of the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—within a supportive, family-oriented environment. The school’s mission is to cultivate confidence and curiosity through a broad, balanced curriculum and nature-based learning.

The school offers a broad curriculum for children from Nursery (Mini Malvern) through to Year 8. The Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2) follows the National Curriculum for core subjects like English, mathematics, science, and humanities, enriched by specialist teaching in music, French, drama, and swimming. The Prep School (Years 3-8) curriculum includes subjects such as computing, geography, history, Latin, PSHE, and religious studies, alongside the 'Downs Malvern Baccalaureate' and the 'Skills to Thrive' programme.

The school aims to prepare pupils with confidence, tenacity, and a zest for life, equipping them for their next steps in education, including transition to the senior school, Malvern College. It has been recognised as the 'Small Independent School of the Year' and holds 'Eco Schools Green Flag' status. The school’s 'Skills to Thrive' programme is designed to develop seven interlinked skills that support pupils throughout their education and beyond.

The school provides learning support to ensure all pupils are appropriately challenged and supported. Specialist staff, including a SENCo, are available to assist with individual needs. The school also offers private tuition in areas such as SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties), speech and drama, and dance, as well as EAL (English as an Additional Language) support.

The school welcomes applications throughout the year for children aged 6 months to 13 years. The admissions process begins with an enquiry, followed by a visit—either a private tour or an Open Day—and the completion of an online registration form. Prospective pupils may be invited for a Taster Day or boarding experience to ensure a good fit, and the school requests previous school reports and a copy of the passport. The school offers scholarships, bursaries, and fee discounts for serving personnel in the Armed Forces and siblings.

The school operates on a three-term academic year: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Each term includes scheduled 'Leave Out' weekends and a half-term break. The academic year typically begins in early September and concludes in early July with a Prize Giving ceremony. Detailed term dates for 2025/26 and 2026/27 are available on the school website.

Situated on a 55-acre campus in the Malvern Hills, the school features specialist science labs, design and technology workshops, an art studio, and a music school. Sports facilities include a state-of-the-art sports complex, extensive outdoor games fields, an all-weather astro pitch, and shared use of Malvern College’s indoor swimming pool. The campus also includes a smallholding, a market garden, an orchard, and a Forest School area. Large-scale drama productions are frequently held at Malvern College’s Rogers Theatre.

The school provides a rich co-curricular and extra-curricular programme designed to foster personal growth. Offerings include a Saturday morning Hobbies programme, Forest School, and hands-on experiences in the school’s smallholding, which houses animals such as pigs, sheep, and chickens. Pupils also participate in music, drama, art, and various sports, with access to professional-standard facilities for performances and competitions.