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What it's like

Founded in 1865 as a boys' school, it has been co-educational since 1992. It has a most beautiful setting: the elegant, well-appointed buildings are arranged in a horseshoe around the grounds on the eastern slope of the Malvern Hills, with magnificent views over the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. It has first-class facilities of every kind, including sixth-form recreation centre and all-weather sports pitch. Recent development includes a new sports centre and entertainment complex (complete with gym, swimming pool, dance studio, climbing wall and rifle range) and a new girls boarding house. The town is 10 minutes' walk away and the college benefits greatly from its position by a town which has become an important centre of education. The aims of the house system and the tutorial arrangements are to ensure that pupils learn to live in a community and develop their potential. It is an Anglican foundation but all faiths are welcome; all pupils are obliged to attend certain chapel services. The International Baccalaureate was introduced in 1992 as an alternative to AS and A-levels. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. It is very strong indeed in music (many pupils learn an instrument), drama, modern languages, science and technology. Art is excellent and the school is also very strong in sport and games, with many county representatives and some internationals. The CCF is optional; expedition training (basic camp craft and walking skills) is compulsory in the sixth form. There is a substantial commitment to local community services for the old, disabled and homeless. A fine record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 13-18; 640 pupils, 122 day (67 boys, 55 girls), 518 boarding (303 boys, 215 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C including English and maths (at least grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 1% main intake, plus 30% to sixth form. Large intake from own junior department (enquiries to the Registrar, The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory School, Brockhill Road, Colwall, Malvern, Worcs WR13 6EY; tel 01684 544100).

Scholarships & bursaries

Approx 40 pa scholarships, value up to 50%: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama, technology and music. Variable number of school assisted places for those with a particular talent, good academic standard and genuine financial need. 10% discount for children of HM Forces. Extras include text books, music, some art materials and outings, minority sports etc.

Parents

Up to 10% live within 30 miles; up to 25% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Antony Clark, in post from 2008. Educated at St Andrew's College, South Africa, and at Rhodes University and Cambridge University (history). Previously Headmaster of Gresham's College, of St Andrew's College (South Africa) and of St Joseph's Marist College (Cape Town).Teaching staff: 63 full time, 8 part time.

Exam results

GCSE/IGCSE: 89 pupils in upper fifth: 90% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 10% in 5-7 subjects; average of 9.6 subjects per pupil. A-levels and IB: 118 in upper sixth. 52 took AS/A-levels: 25% passed in 4+ subjects; 67% in 3-3.5, 6% in 2-2.5 subjects. 66 took the IB: 97% passed the diploma, with an average of 36 IB points. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 412.

Pupils' destinations

97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (35% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 32% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in languages, 20% in economics, business and management, 9% in art and music.

Curriculum

GCSE/IGCSE, AS and A-levels and International Baccalaureate. 22 subjects at GCSE, AS and A-level (including Greek and design technology). Most A-level subjects also offered in the IB. Sixth form: 57% of sixth formers take the IB. The remaining 43% typically take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; AS and A-level general studies additional options. 18% take science A-levels; 36% arts/humanities; 46% both. Own sixth-form course covering health education, student finance, university application. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: SpLD support (1 full-time, 2 part-time teachers); EFL teaching. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level or IB; also Italian at IB. Annual visits to France in Years 9 and 10; regular visits to Germany, Spain and Italy. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 120 computers for pupil use (open all day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental and singing exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, wind band, jazz band, choirs etc. Several recent awards to Cambridge and conservatoires. Drama: Drama offered. GCSE drama, IB theatre arts and LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Regular admission to National Youth Theatre and appearances on Edinburgh Fringe; annual production in Festival Theatre, Malvern. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 20 A-level/IB. History of art, ceramics, photography also offered. Regular prizewinners of NADFAS award.

Sports & activities

Sport: PE to Year 11. Main sports for boys football, rugby, cricket, basketball, hockey, tennis, athletics; for girls hockey, netball, lacrosse, tennis, athletics. Optional: range of some 20 including badminton, golf, judo, fencing, polo, sailing, shooting, rackets, fives. Sixth form only: outdoor pursuits. PE GCSE and A-level available. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (151 golds gained in past 10 years). Junior Sports Leaders Award in Year 10-11. CCF and community service both optional at age 14. Up to 15 clubs, eg bridge, car restoration, debating, chess, electronics, photography, polo, clay-pigeon shooting.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl appointed by the Headmaster; head of house and house prefects appointed by housemasters/mistresses; sixth-form council elected by school. Religion: Church of England. Some compulsory chapel services. Social: Joint debates, dances, discos, plays, concerts with local schools. Frequent organised trips abroad. Exchanges with French pupils on individual basis. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals formal in houses. School shop. Sixth-form centre with bar.

Boarding

40% have own study bedroom, 60% in dormitories of up to 6. Houses of approximately 60, same as competitive houses. Resident qualified nurse, doctors on call. Meals taken in houses. Pupils can provide and cook own food at times. 1 or 2 fixed weekend leave-outs each term plus a week at half-term. Visits to the local town allowed.

Association of former pupils

is run by S Hill, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Bernard Weatherill (former Speaker of the House of Commons); Denholm Elliott (actor); Lord Maclaurin (Tesco, Vodafone and England and Wales Cricket Board); Jeremy Paxman (TV presenter); C S Lewis (author); Professor Sir Ghillean Prance (Director of Kew Gardens); John Crowther (Chief Executive Lawn Tennis Association).