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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. The pretty town of Malvern is just ten minutes walk away. The college has first-class facilities of every kind, including a sixth-form recreation centre and an all-weather sports pitch. Recent development includes a new sports complex (with fitness suite, swimming pool, dance studio, climbing wall and shooting range) and new boarding houses. 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 has a Church of England 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, drama, modern languages, science and technology. Art is excellent and the college 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; 649 pupils, 131 day (73 boys, 58 girls), 518 boarding (272 boys, 246 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 (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 1% intake at age 13, plus 30% at 16. Large intake from own prep school, Malvern College Preparatory School (tel 01684 544100).

Scholarships & bursaries

Approx 40 pa scholarships awarded at 13+, value up to 50%: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama, technology and music. Also sixth-form scholarships, of no financial value (but means-tested bursaries available in case of need). 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: 77 full time, 59 part time.

Exam results

GCSE/IGCSE: 103 pupils in Year 11, 83% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 14% in 5-7 subjects (average of 9.5 subjects). A-levels/IB: 162 in upper sixth. 82 took AS/A-levels, 24% passing in 4+ subjects, 70% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 326. 80 took the IB, 99% passing the diploma with an average of 36 IB points.

Pupils' destinations

Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 17% in science and engineering, 32% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in languages, 33% in economics, business and management, 7% in art and music.

Curriculum

GCSE/IGCSE, AS/A-levels and IB Diploma. 26 subjects at GCSE/IGCSE, AS/A-level and 20 at IB. Sixth form: 60% of sixth formers take the IB. 40% take AS and A-levels: 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; 33% take science A-levels; 36% arts/humanities; 46% both. Own sixth-form course covers health education, healthy eating, university application. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Learning support department (1 full-time, 2 part-time teachers); EAL teaching. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS/A-level and IB; also Italian at IB. Annual visits to France in Years 9 and 10; regular visits to Germany and Spain. 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 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental and singing exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including orchestras, wind band, jazz band, choirs. Several recent awards to Cambridge and conservatoires. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE and AS/A-level; IB theatre; also LAMDA speech and drama exams may be taken. Large numbers involved in major dramatic productions; annual house drama competitions. Participates in national Shakespeare Schools Festival; regular admission to National Youth Theatre and university/performing arts courses. 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 are rugby, football, cricket, hockey, tennis, athletics; for girls hockey, netball, tennis, athletics. Optional: some 20 including badminton, basketball, canoeing, climbing, girls' football, golf, fencing, fives, lacrosse, polo, sailing, shooting, squash, swimming, rackets. 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). CCF and community service both optional at age 14. Up to 15 clubs, eg bridge, debating, chess, photography.

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.

Discipline

Consistent; fair but firm. Pupils failing to produce homework once attend early morning sessions to complete outstanding work; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on school premises should expect exclusion.

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 college.

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 (journalist/broadcaster); C S Lewis (author); Professor Sir Ghillean Prance (Director of Kew Gardens); John Crowther (Chief Executive, Lawn Tennis Association); Mark Pougatch (BBC sports commentator); Najib Razak (Prime Minister of Malaysia).