Malvern College

{{redirect-distinguish|Malvern School|Malvern Preparatory School}}

{{Infobox school

| name = Malvern College

| logo = Malvern College Crest.svg

| logo_s =

| image = Malvern College (2300862032).jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Aerial view of main college building (right) and chapel (left)

| coordinates = {{coord|52.1042|-2.3261|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map = Worcestershire#England#United Kingdom

| motto = Sapiens qui prospicit
(Wise is the person who looks ahead)

| established = 1865

| closed =

| type = Public School
Private boarding and day school

| religion =

| president =

| head_label = Headteacher

| head = Keith Metcalfe{{cite web |title=Headmaster’s Welcome |url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/about-us/headmasters-welcome/ |website=Malvern College |publisher=Malvern College |access-date=25 May 2025}}

| r_head_label =

| r_head =

| chair_label = Chairman of Council

| chair = Robin Black

| founder =

| specialist =

| address = College Road

| city = Malvern

| county = Worcestershire

| country = United Kingdom

| postcode = WR14 3DF

| local_authority = Worcestershire

| dfeno = 885/6011

| urn = 117017

| ofsted =

| staff =

| enrolment = 655

| gender = Coeducational

| lower_age = 13

| upper_age = 18

| fees = £59,295 for boarding, £40,245 for day pupils

| houses = 11

| colours =

| publication = The Malvernian

| free_label_1 = School song

| free_1 = Carmen Malvernense

| alumni = Old Malvernians (OMs)

| free_label_3 =

| free_3 =

| website = {{URL|https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/}}

}}

Malvern College is a fee-charging coeducational boarding and day school in Malvern, Worcestershire, England. It is a public school in the British sense of the term and is a member of the Rugby Group and of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Since its foundation in 1865 it has remained on the same campus near the town centre of Great Malvern covering some 250 acres (101 ha) on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills.

Among the alumni of the college are Commonwealth prime ministers, two Nobel laureates (five Nobel Prizes), an Olympic gold medalist and other notable persons from various fields. The novelist C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was a pupil.

As of 2025, 655 pupils aged between 13 and 19 were enrolled at the school. The college also operates five overseas campuses in China, Egypt, Hong Kong and Tokyo which opened in September 2023.

History

Set in the Malvern Hills, the school's location owes much to Malvern's emergence in the nineteenth century as a fashionable spa resort, appreciated for its unpolluted air and the healing qualities of its famous spring water.{{cite book |last1=Hembry |first1=Phyllis M. |title=British spas from 1815 to the present |publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson University Press |isbn=978-0-8386-3748-7 |url=https://openlibrary.org/books/OL1003442M/British_spas_from_1815_to_the_present |access-date=28 May 2025}} The school opened its doors for the first time on 25 January 1865 with twenty-four boys, of whom eleven were day boys, six masters and two houses, named Mr McDowall's (No.1) and Mr Drew's (No.2).{{citation |year=1905 |editor=Cookson, R.T.C |title=The Malvern Register 1865–1904 |series=(Originally compiled by Laurence Sidney Milward & Edward Clifford Bullock) |edition=2nd |place=Malvern, UK |work=Malvern Advertiser |page=xvii |url=https://archive.org/stream/malvernregister00malgoog#page/n20/mode/1up |access-date=29 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107065249/http://www.archive.org/stream/malvernregister00malgoog#page/n20/mode/1up |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status = live }} [https://books.google.com/books?id=_6jhPhKkOiMC&q=malvern+register 2009 reprint via Google books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215161058/https://books.google.com/books?id=_6jhPhKkOiMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=malvern+register&hl=en&ei=MNx6TLTsN9SpcZyTjN8F&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA |date=15 February 2017 }} (Note: Google's authorship citation is inaccurate – see Internet Archive version for actual title page) The new school expanded quickly; a year later, there were sixty-four boys,Cookson, R. T. C (1905), p. xvii by 1875, there were 200Cookson, R. T. C (1905), p. xix on the roll and five boarding houses; by the end of the 19th century, the numbers had risen to more than 400 boysCookson, R. T. C (1905), p.xxiv and ten houses.see Cookson, R.T.C (1905), p.XL for table of Master's Houses circa 1900 The school was one of the twenty four public schools listed in the Public Schools Yearbook of 1889 and was incorporated by royal charter in 1928.{{cite web |title=Malvern College |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/527578/governing-document#:~:text=Charitable%20objects%20(1)%20TO%20CARRY%20ON%20AT,COLLEGE%20AS%20MAY%20BE%20NECESSARY%20OR%20PROPER. |website=Charity Commission of England and WAaes |publisher=UK Government |access-date=26 May 2025}}

The school song, "Carmen Malvernense", was written and composed by two masters, M. A. Bayfield and R. E. Lyon. It was first sung on speech day in 1888. The same song became the school song of Eastbourne College when Bayfield became headmaster there in 1895, though presumably with a change of title.{{citation |date=18 August 2008 |title=A history of music at Eastbourne College from its foundation in 1867 |url=http://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/TheArts/Music/Documents/Music-history-18Aug08.pdf |page=9 |publisher=Eastbourne College |access-date=19 August 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719102702/http://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/TheArts/Music/Documents/Music-history-18Aug08.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 }} In 1909 Henry Morgan began the construction of his first motor car in the engineering workshop at the college, which led to the establishment of the Morgan Motor Company.{{cite web|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Henry_Frederick_Stanley_Morgan|title=Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan|publisher=Grace's Guide to British Industrial History|access-date=24 May 2025}}

Further expansion of pupil numbers and buildings continued between the end of the First World War in 1918 and the start of the Second World War in 1939. In both wars a total of 715 former pupils gave their lives.Old Malvernian newsletter. No. 23. May 2000. p. (The Chapel) Two of seven former pupils who flew in the Battle of Britain were killed in action.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/herefordandworcester/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8997000/8997938.stm Battle of Britain memorial unveiled at Malvern College] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920161503/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/herefordandworcester/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8997000/8997938.stm |date=20 September 2010 }}. BBC official website. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2025. The dead are commemorated in two memorials, a statue and a library.

=World War II=

File:Qinetiq, Malvern - geograph.org.uk - 728922.jpgDuring World War II, the college premises were requisitioned by the Admiralty between October 1939 and July 1940, and the school temporarily relocated to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. In 1942, its premises were again needed for governmental use, on this occasion by the Telecommunications Research Establishment which was moved from the English Channel coast at Worth Matravers for the development of H2S airborn radar in greater safety from German bombing raids.{{cite web |title=Radar Development in Purbeck 1940 - 1942 |url=http://www.purbeckradar.org.uk/purbeck/index.htm |website=Purbeck Radar |publisher=Purbeck Radar Museum Trust 2013 |access-date=25 May 2025}} "Within six weeks a huge steel-girdered workshop with 14” brick walls have been roofed and equipped, and a large canteen capable of feeding 1,500 people at least at one sitting has been completed, the whole of the grass space between the Science Schools and No.3 was bristling with huts, and in many parts of the grounds strange buildings of a special design rose up."{{cite book |last1=Blumenau |first1=Ralph |title=A History of Malvern College 1865-1965 |date=1965 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |pages=141}} Thousands of local people were engaged in the logistics and the supply of electricty to the town was upgraded from Gloucester and Worcester.{{cite web |title=1942 – Scientists Come To Malvern |url=https://mraths.org.uk/?page_id=649 |website=Malvern Radar and Technology History Society |publisher=MRATHS |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=2016}} The college was again temporarily relocated and on this occasion the school was housed with Harrow School near London from May 1942 to July 1946.{{cite book |last1=Lovell |first1=Bernard |title=Echos of War - The Story of H2S Radar |date=1991 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9780367403058 |pages=119–124}} The TRE installations in the college were visited on 19 July 1944 by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. A 9 minute film of their tour round the premises is part of a collection at the Imperial War Museum.{{cite web |title=ROYAL VISIT TO TRE |url=https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/29725 |website=Imperial War Museums |publisher=Imperial War Museums |format=Film |access-date=25 May 2025|date=2025}}

Since the occupation of the college by the Ministry of Defence in 1942, research and development into defence physics and electronics has been the major source of employment in Malvern. Malvern Hills Science Park was built in 1999, and is now home to over 30 science and technological businesses. Privatised by the government in 2001, QinetiQ, the successor to the government's original research facility, continues defence research and technology on former college land and continues to be the town's largest single employer and a key company in Worcestershire.{{cite web |title=Key Statistics |url=http://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/cms/business/key-statistics.aspx |website=Malvern Hills District Council |publisher=Malvern Hills District Council |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223233925/http://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/cms/business/key-statistics.aspx |archive-date=23 Dec 2012 |date=7 November 2012}}{{cite web |title=Our Heritage - World War II |url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/about-us/our-heritage/ |website=Malvern College |publisher=Malvern College |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=2025}}{{cite web |title=Skills 4 Worcestershire |url=https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/skills-4-worcestershire/are-you-business-looking-future-proof-your-workforce/economy-growth-sectors-and-labour-market-information/worcestershires-employment-market-key-growth-sectors |website=Worcestershire County Council. |publisher=Worcestershire County Council. |access-date=25 May 2025}}

=Later 20th and 21st centuries=

In 1965, the college celebrated the centenary of its foundation with a visit by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Harold Macmillan, the recently retired Prime Minister. The college's 160th anniversary is to be commemorated in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/160-years-of-malvern-college/|title=Celebrating 160 Years of Malvern College|publisher=Malvernian Society|access-date=26 May 2025}}

Having been a school for boys aged from 13 to 18 years old since its foundation, in 1992 it merged with Ellerslie Girls’ School and Hillstone prep school to become coeducational{{citation |chapter=Our History |title=in General Information |chapter-url=http://www.malcol.net/general-information/our-history/ |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |access-date=25 May 2025 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081015220406/http://www.malcol.net/general-information/our-history/ |archive-date=15 October 2008 }}

and to offer education for pupils aged 3 to 18 years old. The college also departed from the full boarding model of many English public schools by admitting day pupils, although over two-thirds of pupils board.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/boarding/|title=Boarding at Malvern College|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=24 May 2025}}

A development scheme was initiated in 2008.{{citation |chapter=The Development Plan |title=in General Information |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |chapter-url=http://www.malcol.net/general-information/the-development-plan/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081016104754/http://www.malcol.net/general-information/the-development-plan/ |archive-date=16 October 2008 }} This included the building of a new sports complex, new athletics and viewing facilities at the pitches and two new boarding houses. The sports complex and new houses were opened in October 2009. Ellerslie House was opened for girls, commemorating the eponymous former girls' school, and the other new house has become the new permanent residence for the boys of No. 7.{{citation |chapter=Opening Celebrations |title=in General Information |chapter-url=http://www.malcol.net/general-information/gala-dinner-auction/ |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |access-date=25 May 2025 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100514165019/http://www.malcol.net/general-information/gala-dinner-auction/ |archive-date=14 May 2010}}

In April 2010 part of the school suffered serious damage when a fire broke out in one of the boarding houses. The Grade II listed building, built in 1871, was home to 55 girls and the housemistress, although no one was resident at the time of the fire.{{citation |date=11 July 2010 |author=Tarik Al Rasheed |title=Worcestershire college house set to rise from ashes of devastating blaze |newspaper=Malvern Gazette |url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2010/07/11/Latest+T%28wn_news_latest%29/8265196.College_house_set_to_rise_from_the_ashes/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720234147/http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2010/07/11/Latest+T(wn_news_latest)/8265196.College_house_set_to_rise_from_the_ashes/ |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status = live }}[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/8612803.stm BBC News 10 April 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719130726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/8612803.stm |date=19 July 2010 }} Retrieved 25 May 2025 In 2024 the college submitted plans for the adaptation of the War Memorial Library to a sixth form centre.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pyl7qeyngo|first=Phil|last=Wilkinson Jones|title=Plans to convert library into sixth form centre|work=BBC News|date=26 April 2024|access-date=26 May 2025}}

The original preparatory school, Hillstone, opened in 1883. When the college went coeducational, Hillstone was absorbed into Malvern to become its prep department. In 2008 the prep school merged with The Downs prep school in the nearby village of Colwall, Herefordshire to form The Downs, Malvern College Prep School.{{citation |date=29 June 2007 |author=Jones, Sally |title=EDUCATION: Schools build for future as link is agreed |newspaper=Malvern Gazette |url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2007/06/29/Education+%28wn_news_features_educ%29/1507728.EDUCATION__Schools_build_for_future_as_link_is_agreed/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325001905/http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2007/06/29/Education+(wn_news_features_educ)/1507728.EDUCATION__Schools_build_for_future_as_link_is_agreed/ |archive-date=25 March 2012 |url-status = live }} Boarding is available to pupils in the prep school aged 7 and above, who reside in a separate boarding house known as The Warren.{{cite web |title=Boarding |url=http://www.thedowns.malcol.org/Default.aspx?tabid=71 |website=The Downes Malvern |publisher=The Downes |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914080520/http://www.thedowns.malcol.org/Default.aspx?tabid=71 |archive-date=14 Sep 2012}}

Governance and admissions

= College Council =

The school is governed by a College Council of approximately 18 members, chaired by Robin Black. The Malvern College Corporation owns the College property, land and assets which are managed by the Council whose members are also the directors of the registered charity company.{{cite web |title=The Council |url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/about-us/council/ |website=Malvern College |publisher=Malvern College |access-date=25 May 2025}}

= College principals =

Educationalist and former Cambridge Universty cricket player Antony Clark joined the school as headmaster in 2008. Clark was succeeded in 2019 by Keith Metcalfe.{{cite web |title=Leadership Team |url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/about-us/leadership-team-staff/ |website=Malvern College |publisher=Malvern College |access-date=25 May 2025}}

= Admissions and fees =

Entry to the main school (Years 7 to 11, ages 11–16) is by a process of visits, interviews and assessments.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/admissions/|title=Admissions process|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}} Entry to the Lower School (Years 1 to 6, ages 5–11){{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/admissions/lower-school-admissions/|title=Lower School Admissions process|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}} and the Sixth form (Years 12 to 13, ages 16–18) follows a similar process.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/admissions/sixth-form-admissions/|title=Sixth Form Admissions process|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}} Busaries and scholarships are offered to support students for whom the school fees would otherwise be prohibitive. In addition to academic scholarships, subject scholarships as offered in art and design, drama, music and sport.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/admissions/scholarships-and-bursaries/|title=Scholarships and bursaries|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}}{{citation |title=Malvern College |work=Profile at Independent Schools Council website |url=https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/worcestershire/malvern/malvern-college/|access-date=26 May 2025}}

For 2025–2026 the annual fees for boarders are £59,295 and £40,245 for day pupils.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/admissions/fees-and-charges/|title=Fees and Charges|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=24 May 2025}} As of 27 January 2025, 655 pupils aged between 13 and 19 were enrolled at the school.{{cite web |title=Malvern College |url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/117017 |website=Get Information about Schools |publisher=GOV.UK |access-date=23 February 2025}}

Curriculum

The college follows the English national curriculum{{cite web|url=https://whichschooladvisor.com/uk/school-review/malvern-college|title=Malvern College|publisher=Which School Advisor|access-date=26 May 2025}} and offers courses of study in a range of academic subjects, preparing pupils for GCSE, A-Level{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/academics/curriculum/|title=Curriculum|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}} and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/international-baccalaureate-ib-at-malvern-college/|title=International Baccalaureate at Malvern College|publisher=Malvern College|access-date=26 May 2025}}

Additionally, the college offers a "super-curriculum", a pupil-directed course of cross-disciplinary study. The additional curriculum was introduced by the current head, Keith Metcalfe on his appointment in 2019, and in 2025 it was the basis of his nomination for one of the annual national awards run by the TES magazine.{{cite news|url=https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/25116049.malvern-college-headteacher-shortlisted-oscars-education/|first=Nathan|last=Russell|title=Malvern College headteacher shortlisted for 'Oscars of Education'|work=Malvern Gazette|date=27 April 2025|access-date=26 May 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://malvernobserver.co.uk/news/malvern-teacher-shortlisted-for-top-national-award-at-oscars-of-education-55535/|first=Ashleigh|last=Osborne|title=Malvern teacher shortlisted for top national award at 'Oscars of Education'|work=Malvern Observer|date=25 April 2025|access-date=26 May 2025}}

= Academic performance =

In 2010, the school was ranked 28th among private schools for value added to its students' A Level results, placing it within the top 5% nationally.[http://www.privateschools.co/League-Tables-Value-Added.asp Top Value Added Boarding Schools 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528030534/http://www.privateschools.co/League-Tables-Value-Added.asp |date=28 May 2013 }}. privateschools.co. Retrieved 26 May 2025. In 2011, it was 79th among co-ed independent boarding schools for A-Level results.[http://www.best-schools.co.uk/league-tables/co-educational-boarding-schools.aspx The Top 100 Co-Educational Senior Boarding Schools by A Levels] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040928/http://www.best-schools.co.uk/league-tables/co-educational-boarding-schools.aspx |date=31 October 2013 }}. best-schools.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2025. The school's pupils have achieved particularly good results at IB level. In 2011, the school was ranked joint 8th for the average grades of its IB pupils.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061216044543/http://www.best-schools.co.uk/league-tables/ib-schools.aspx The Top International Baccalaureate Schools]. best-schools.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2025. In 2012, The Independent review of both A level and IB results, based on government-issued statistics, ranked Malvern 32nd in the UK with 1080.7 points.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/secondary-tables-2012/the-top-100-independent-schools-at-alevel-6294994.html The Top 100 Independent Schools at A-Level] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925084428/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/secondary-tables-2012/the-top-100-independent-schools-at-alevel-6294994.html |date=25 September 2015 }}. The Independent. 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2025. In 2023, 28% of pupils scored A*-A for their A-Levels examination, whereas 60% scored A*-B. For IB, the 2024 cohort scored an average of 35 or more IB points against the global average of 30.32 points.{{Cite web|date=2025|title=Malvern College UK Guide – Reviews, Rankings, And Fees|url=https://britannia-study.com.my/uk-boarding-school/malvern-college-uk|access-date=25 May 2025|website=Britannia StudyLink Malaysia: UK Study Expert|language=en-GB}} In 2024 the Top School Guide ranked the college in 32nd place for A-level results.{{cite web|url=https://www.topschoolguide.com/uk/league-tables/boarding-schools/top-100-boarding-schools-for-a-levels/|title=Top 100 Boarding Schools for A-Levels|publisher=Top School Guide|date=2024|access-date=24 May 2025}} In its ranking of independent schools by GCSE results The Guardian placed it 148th.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/gcses/table/0,16426,1561652,00.html|title=Independent Schools GCSE results|work=The Guardian|date=2024|access-date=24 May 2025}}

= Ofstead and Independent Schools Inspectorate reports =

An Ofsted report, following an October 2010 inspection, rated the school's services against specific criteria and assigned an overall quality rating of Grade 1 (outstanding).{{citation |author=Taylor, D. |date=27 November 2010 |title=Malvern College: Inspection report for boarding school |url=http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/full/%28urn%29/SC043042 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224051614/http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/full/(urn)/SC043042 |url-status = dead|archive-date=24 December 2012 |publisher=Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted)|access-date=15 May 2011}} This compares to an overall rating of Grade 2 (good) in the previous report published in 2008.{{citation |date=February 2008 |author=Taylor, D., & Hall, T |title=Malvern College: Inspection report for boarding school |url=http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_reports/download/(id)/222518/(as)/SC043042_SC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022053823/http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_reports/download/(id)/222518/(as)/SC043042_SC.pdf |url-status = dead|archive-date=22 October 2012 |publisher=Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) |access-date=18 August 2010 }} In the latest report, "organisation" and health and safety provision were upgraded to Grade 1 while boarding accommodation was rated Grade 2. Other areas assessed included "helping children to achieve", to "make a positive contribution" and to "enjoy what they do" and these remained Grade 1 (outstanding). The report stated that four recommendations made in Ofsted's last report had all been addressed and that the school "delivers an outstanding service that continues to be developed".{{citation |author=Fry, Claire |date=30 December 2010 |title=School rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted |newspaper= Worcester News |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/8760928.School_rated____outstanding____by_Ofsted/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004084500/http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/8760928.School_rated____outstanding____by_Ofsted/ |url-status = dead|archive-date=4 October 2012 |access-date=31 May 2025}}

A report on the college authored by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and issued in January 2025 found that all requirements for leadership, education, pupils' physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, social and economic education and safeguarding were met.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/about-us/inspection-reports/|title=Malvern College Inspection Report|publisher=Independent Schools Inspectorate|date=January 2025|access-date=24 May 2025}}

Sports

The college offers sports such as football, cricket, rugby, rackets, fives, athletics, tennis, squash, croquet, basketball, badminton, golf{{Cite web|title=Golf {{!}} Malvern College|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/discover-malvern/sport/golf.html|access-date=31 May 2025|website=www.malverncollege.org.uk}} and polo. Boys play hockey and girls play cricket and football.{{Cite web|title=Cricket {{!}} Malvern College|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/discover-malvern/sport/cricket.html|access-date=31 May 2025|website=www.malverncollege.org.uk}}{{citation |title=Sports |url=http://www.malcol.net/sports/ |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |access-date=18 August 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081005081949/http://www.malcol.net/sports/ |archive-date=5 October 2008 }}

On 16 October 2009, a new sports complex and hospitality suite was opened by the Duke of York. The opening was attended by several sports personalities including the athletes Dame Kelly Holmes and Christina Boxer, the cricketers Michael Vaughan and Graham Gooch, the footballer Peter Shilton, the rugby union player Jason Leonard and the hockey player Rachel Walker.{{citation |date=2 October 2009 |chapter=Stars To Open Malvern College Sports Complex |title=in Countries section: England: Community Cricket |chapter-url=http://www.cricketworld.com/countries/england/community_cricket/article/?aid=22082 |publisher=cricketworld.com website |access-date=18 August 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The indoor complex, which was built on the site of the old sports hall and swimming pool, has an eight-court sports hall, a dance studio and fitness suite, a climbing wall, squash courts, a shooting range, a function suite, and a six-lane swimming pool. The facilities are also available for use by the wider community in Malvern,{{citation |chapter=Malvern College Sports Complex & Function Suite |title=in Leisure and Culture, Leisure Facilities section |chapter-url=https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/malvern-college-sports-complex |publisher=Malvern Hills District Council website |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020207/https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/malvern-college-sports-complex |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status = live }} and are used by Worcestershire County Cricket Club for their winter training programme.{{citation|title=Worcs to train at Malvern College|date=2 December 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/worcestershire/7760706.stm|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)|access-date=19 August 2010}}{{citation|title=Rhodes praises Worcester's pre-season preparations|date=12 January 2010|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/worcestershire/8454090.stm|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=19 August 2010}} In February 2010, the college hosted the England Blind Cricket squad for training sessions.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100423054113/http://www.conference-worcestershire.org/cms/news/2010/february/malvern-college-blind.aspx Malvern College welcomes England Blind Cricket Team as they prepare to face Pakistan]. conference-worcestershire.org. February 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.{{dead link|date=February 2017}}

The college holds an annual cross country race, the Ledbury Run or the "Ledder". Pupils from Years 11, 12 and 13 can take part in the eight-mile long run from the town of Ledbury to the college campus. While optional, most boarding houses encourage students to take part. Old Malvernians also participate.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/oms-take-part-in-136th-ledbury-run/|title=OMs take part in 136th Ledbury Run|publisher=Old Malvernian Society|date=March 2024|access-date=24 May 2025}}

Buildings

File:Malvern College rear.jpg

The school has occupied the same site covering some 250 acres (101 ha) near the town centre of Great Malvern on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills since its foundation.{{citation |title=Malvern College homepage |url=http://www.malverncollege.org.uk/ |access-date=2 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723073945/http://www.malverncollege.org.uk/ |archive-date=23 July 2013 |url-status = live }} The Main Building of the college was built between 1863 and 1865, to the designs of Charles Francis Hansom.{{efn|Charles Francis Hansom had previously made his reputation with his design for Clifton College.{{cite book|first1=Alan|last1=Brooks|first2=Nikolaus|last2=Pevsner|author2-link=Nikolaus Pevsner|title=Worcestershire|series=Pevsner Architectural Guides|year=2007|location=New Haven, US and London|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-11298-6|pages=462–465}}}} It forms three sides of a quadrangle, with a central gatehouse for which Hansom drew inspiration from Lupton's Tower at Eton College.{{NHLE|num=1082796|desc=Main Building of Malvern College|grade=II*|access-date=23 May 2025}} The building material is local stone and the style is Tudor Revival. The block is a Grade II* listed building, described by Pevsner as "large and impressive". Hansom's design was innovative for its time, although it followed his work at Clifton College. The Main Building was entirely given over to teaching and administration, with boarding pupils being accommodated in a series of houses, ultimately numbering nine, which circle the school campus.

The chapel to the south dates from 1897 and was the work of Sir Arthur Blomfield.{{NHLE|num=1349435|desc=Chapel at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}} The style is Perpendicular Gothic Revival. Pevsner described the exterior as "rather fussy". It contains a reredos by Blomfield's nephew, Reginald, and much Victorian stained glass by Charles Eamer Kempe and Clayton and Bell. In 1908 Blomfield's son, Charles undertook an extension.{{cite web|url=https://www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/application-form-church-history/places/malvern-great-malvern/malvern-college-chapel|title=Malvern College Chapel|publisher=Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust|access-date=26 May 2025}}

The college has two memorials to its pupils killed in the First and Second World Wars; the War Memorial, including a statue of Saint George by Alfred Drury, which stands in the main quadrangle;{{NHLE|num=1156482|desc=War Memorial Statue at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}} and the War Memorial Library, built in 1924 to the designs of Sir Aston Webb.{{efn|Historic England credits Sir Aston Webb with the library design,{{NHLE|num=1082797|desc=War Memorial Library at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}} but Alan Brooks, in his Worcestershire volume in the Pevsner Buildings of England series suggests that Webb's son Maurice may have taken the leading role.}} The library has a chimneypiece designed by Leonard Shuffrey.{{cite journal |title=Trade & Craft: The War Memorial at Malvern College |journal=The Architectural Review |date=December 1925 |volume=58 |issue=349 |page=lvi |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_architectural-review_1925-12_58_349 |access-date=27 November 2021}} Other listed buildings on the campus include the School House;{{NHLE|num=1082795|desc=School House at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}} three of the college's boarding houses, No.s 3, 4 and 6;{{NHLE|num=1349452|desc=Number 3 House and Number 4 House at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}}{{NHLE|num=1266951|desc=Number 6 House at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}} and two sets of gates.{{NHLE|num=1302830|desc=Gate Piers and Gates at Main Entrance to Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}}{{NHLE|num=1082752|desc=Gates and eight Gate Piers to Number 3 House and Number 4 House at Malvern College|grade=II|access-date=23 May 2025}}

Innovations

The college has a history of innovation in the field of education. In 1963, it was the first independent school to have a language laboratory.{{citation |date=26 September 2002 |title=The 16-plus course that is growing in popularity |newspaper=Malvern Gazette |url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2002/09/26/Worcestershire+Archive/7683042.The_16_plus_course_that_is_growing_in_popularity/ |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720234216/http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2002/09/26/Worcestershire+Archive/7683042.The_16_plus_course_that_is_growing_in_popularity/ |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status = live }} It is thought to be the first school in the country to have had a careers service.Old Malvernian Newsletter. No. 23. May 2000. p. 22. Under the direction of John Lewis,{{citation |date=30 December 1994 |author=Sir Christopher Ball |title=Education for life |publisher=TSL Education Ltd (TES Connect website) |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=81010 |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610044347/http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=81010 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |url-status = dead }} (Originally published in TES Magazine) it pioneered Nuffield Physics in the 1960s,{{citation |date=2 February 2001 |title=Science teacher is 'best this century' |newspaper=Malvern Gazette |url=http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2001/02/02/Worcestershire+Archive/7773433.Science_teacher_is__best_this_century_/ |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720234238/http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/archive/2001/02/02/Worcestershire+Archive/7773433.Science_teacher_is__best_this_century_/ |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status = live }} Science in Society in the 1970s,{{citation|title=John Lewis' role in Science in Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHMqAAAAMAAJ&q=%22science+and+public+policy%22+journal+1982+john+lewis|journal=Science and Public Policy|volume=9–10|page=168|year=1982|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613051855/http://books.google.com/books?id=IHMqAAAAMAAJ&q=%22science+and+public+policy%22+journal+1982+john+lewis&dq=%22science+and+public+policy%22+journal+1982+john+lewis|url-status = live|publisher=Science Policy Foundation & Beech Tree Publishing|access-date=20 August 2010|archive-date=13 June 2013}}{{citation |date=1 September 1978 |author=Lewis, John L |title=Science in Society |journal=Physics Education |volume=13 |issue=6 |page=340 |doi= 10.1088/0031-9120/13/6/001 |bibcode=1978PhyEd..13..340L |s2cid=250737791 }} and the Diploma of Achievement in the 1990s. At the beginning of the 1990s, Malvern College became one of the first schools in Britain to offer the choice between the International Baccalaureate and A-Levels in the Sixth Form. The school was one of the first boys' public schools to become fully coeducational from the preparatory department to sixth form.

Each summer the staff and some older pupils run a summer school, Young Malvern, which incorporates many sports, activities and learning experiences. Malvern College is one of the two schools in the country (the other being Dulwich College) to offer debating in the curriculum and pupils participate in regional and national competitions including the Debating Matters competition and the Three Counties Tournament.{{citation |chapter=Malvern College |title=at Debating Matters Competition website |chapter-url=http://www.debatingmatters.com/institutions/institution/malvern_college/ |access-date=20 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031092845/http://www.debatingmatters.com/institutions/institution/malvern_college/ |archive-date=31 October 2010 |url-status = live }}{{citation |chapter=Debating |title=in Academic & Careers |chapter-url=http://www.malcol.net/academic-careers/debating/ |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |access-date=18 August 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100418010143/http://www.malcol.net/academic-careers/debating/ |archive-date=18 April 2010 }} The subject is compulsory at Foundation Year level.

Overseas campuses

The college has five overseas campuses under the governance of Malvern College International; a previous Swiss campus was closed in 2023:{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Malvern-College-Annual-Review-2022-23.pdf|title=Chariman's statement: Malvern College Annual Review|publisher=Malvern College|year=2024|access-date=23 May 2025}}

Malvern College Qingdao and Malvern College Chengdu, both in mainland China, which follow the National Curriculum of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).{{Cite news |last1=Yan |first1=Sophia |last2=Yip |first2=Milan |date=2021-07-10 |title=British-branded schools in China forced to teach Beijing curriculum in bid to ensure 'right' thinking |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/07/10/british-branded-schools-china-forced-teach-beijing-curriculum/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |issn=0307-1235}}
Malvern College Hong Kong{{cite web|url=https://www.malverncollegeinternational.org/our-schools.aspx|title=Our schools|publisher=Malvern College International|access-date=13 September 2023}}
Malvern College Tokyo{{cite news|url=https://www.media-outreach.com/news/japan/2023/02/03/196261/the-british-ambassador-welcomes-the-launch-of-malvern-college-tokyo-at-british-embassy/|title=British Ambassador welcomes the launch of Malvern College Tokyo at British Embassy|work=Media OutReach|date=3 February 2023|access-date=23 May 2025}}
Malvern College Egypt{{cite news|url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/british-ambassador-launches-malvern-college-egypt/|author=Al-Masry Al-Youm|title=British ambassador launches Malvern College Egypt|work=Egypt Independent|date=15 December 2014|access-date=23 May 2025}}

Notable alumni

File:James Meade Nobel (cropped).jpg (1907–1995), Old Malvernian and winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics]]

College alumni have gained recognition in such fields as the military, politics, business, science, culture and sport - especially first-class cricket and the eighteen county cricket clubs. Among the most famous Old Malvernians are spymaster James Jesus Angleton, former head of the CIA's counter-intelligence;{{cite news|url=https://time.com/archive/6850875/personality-the-making-of-a-master-spy/|title=Personality: The making of a master spy|work=Time|date=24 February 1975|access-date=24 May 2025}} Aleister Crowley, the controversial but influential occultist;{{cite news|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/cotswold/23813500.great-beast-life-times-aleister-crowley/|first=Stephen|last=Roberts|title=The Great Beast: the life and times of Aleister Crowley|work=Cotswold Life|date=11 October 2023|access-date=24 May 2025}} actor Denholm Elliott,{{cite news|url=https://www.surinenglish.com/six/years-muchloved-character-20220530231859-nt.html|first=Alekk M.|last=Sanders|title=100 years of much-loved character actor Denholm Elliott|work=Sur (in English)|date=30 May 2022|access-date=24 May 2025}} sportsman Reginald 'Tip' Foster, the only man to have captained England at both cricket and football;{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-27388437|title=England captain Tip Foster centenary commemorated|work=BBC News|date=13 May 2014|access-date=24 May 2025}} and novelist C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia.{{efn|C.S. Lewis, in his partial autobiography Surprised by Joy, described his experiences at Malvern, disguising it as Wyvern College.{{cite web|url=https://www.cslewis.com/lewis-and-his-dates/|first=Devin|last=Brown|title=C. S. Lewis and his dates|publisher=C. S. Lewis official website|access-date=24 May 2025}}}} Other well-known personalities include businessman Lord MacLaurin, a former chairman of Tesco and Vodafone;{{cite news|url=https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/malvern/3594138.lord-is-caught-in-welland-speed-trap/|title=Lord is caught in Welland speed trap|work=Malvern Gazette|date=14 August 2008|access-date=24 May 2025}} Jeremy Paxman, journalist, author, and BBC presenter of Newsnight and University Challenge;{{cite news|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14792734.jeremy-paxman-the-headgirl-and-the-housemaster-tales-of-school-life-in-malvern/|first=Mike|last=Pryce|title=Jeremy Paxman, the headgirl and the housemaster - tales of school life in Malvern|work=Worcester News|date=10 October 2016|access-date=24 May 2025}} Lord Weatherill, the former Speaker of the House of Commons,{{cite web|url=https://www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/news/lord-weatherill|title=History on Display: The Installation of the late Lord Weatherill's Court Dress uniform|publisher=Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors|date=17 July 2020|access-date=24 May 2025}} and Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/alumni/invenite/professor-sir-chris-whitty|title=The Big Interview: Professor Sir Chris Whitty|publisher=University of Plymouth|access-date=25 May 2025}}

Old Malvernians who have become heads of state or government include the eponymously titled Viscount Malvern{{cite web|url=https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk/client/en_GB/lives/search/detailnonmodal/|title=Huggins, Rt Hon Godfrey Martin, Viscount Malvern (1883 - 1971) - Obituary|publisher=Royal College of Surgeons of England|date=11 August 2014|access-date=24 May 2025}} and Najib Tun Razak, the 6th prime minister of Malaysia.{{cite news|url=https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/20717273.najib-razak-former-malaysian-pm-malvern-college-pupil-jailed/|first=Tom|last=Banner|title=Najib Razak: Former Malaysian PM and Malvern College pupil jailed|work=Malvern Gazette|date=23 August 2022|access-date=24 May 2025}} The former was the British Commonwealth's longest-serving prime minister by the time he left office. Old Malvernian Nobel Prize winners include Francis William Aston, winner of the 1922 Nobel Prize for Chemistry,{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1922/aston/biographical/|title=Francis W. Aston: Biographical information|publisher=Nobel Foundation|access-date=24 May 2025}} and James Meade, winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1977.{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/1977/meade/biographical/|title=James E. Meade: Biographical information|publisher=Nobel Foundation|access-date=24 May 2025}}

The school's alumni ("old boys") are known as Old Malvernians, or OMs. The Malvernian Society holds many annual reunions and events.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/events/|title=OM Events|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} Old Malvernians, including former pupils of schools which have merged with Malvern College, benefit from a reduction in fees for their own children.{{efn|A similar fees remission scheme for the children of teachers at the college became the subject of legal challenge, leading to a landmark decision of the House of Lords in 1992, Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart.{{cite web|url=https://erskinemay.parliament.uk/section/5052/pepper-v-hart/|title=Pepper v Hart|publisher=Erskine May online|access-date=24 May 2025}}}}{{citation |title=Old Malvernians |url=http://www.malcol.net/old-malvernians/ |publisher=Malvern College (official website) |access-date=18 August 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081005081944/http://www.malcol.net/old-malvernians/ |archive-date=5 October 2008}} Other Old Malvernian clubs and societies include an OM freemasonry lodge,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-lodge/|title=OM Lodge|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} court games,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-court-games/|title=OM Court Games Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} golf,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-golfing-society/|title=OM Golf Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} sailing,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-sailing-club/|title=OM Sailing Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} shooting,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-rifle-club/|title=OM Rifle Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} the Old Malvernians Cricket Club,{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-cricket-club/|title=OM Cricket Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}} and the Old Malvernians Football Club, a club competing in the Arthurian League.{{cite web|url=https://www.malverniansociety.org.uk/clubs-community/om-football-club/|title=OM Football Club|publisher=Malvernian Society |access-date=24 May 2025}}

Old Malvernians have been instrumental in the formation of sporting and charitable organisations such as Blackburn Rovers FC and the Docklands Settlements.{{citation |chapter-url=http://www.isfa.org.uk/about/news.php?go=fullnews&id=35 |chapter=Amateurs in the FA Cup |title=at The Independent Schools Football Association (I.S.F.A.) website |access-date=20 August 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720001214/http://www.isfa.org.uk/about/news.php?go=fullnews&id=35 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |title-link=Independent Schools Football Association }}{{cite web |title=Our Journey |url=https://www.docklandsettlements.org.uk/our-journey.html |website=Docklands Settlements |publisher=docklandsettlements.org |access-date=22 May 2025}}

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.malverncollege.org.uk/ Malvern College official web site]
[https://www.malverniansocietyarchives.co.uk/default.aspx Malvern College digital archives]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080110134801/http://www.thedowns.malcol.org/ The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory School web site]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090130094639/http://goodschoolsguide.co.uk/school/malvern-college.html Profile at the Good Schools Guide]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20101017085035/http://www.guidetoindependentschools.com/schools/view/279/Malvern-College/HMC/Malvern-College-Malvern-Worcestershire-WR14-3DF Profile at the Guide to Independent Schools]
[http://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/worcestershire/malvern/malvern-college Profile] on the ISC website
ISI Inspection Reports – [http://www.isi.net/schools/7112/ The Downs Prep] & [http://www.isi.net/schools/6671/ Senior School]
OFSTED Social Care Inspection [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/SC043042 Reports]