The Downs Malvern A GSG School
- The Downs Malvern
Brockhill Road
Colwall
Malvern
Worcestershire
WR13 6EY - Head: Mr A Nuttall
- T 01684 544108
- F 01684 544105
- E [email protected]
- W www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 3 to 13 with a linked senior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Herefordshire
- Pupils: 195
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £8,385 - £20,160; Boarding £17,280 - £26,700 pa
- Open days: Open Morning, Saturday 14th October 2023. Please visit website for more information.
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Malvern College
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Impossible for all but the hard of heart not to get swept along in the magic of The Downs. It has all the very best ingredients of a rural prep, somehow keeping these children young while also prepping them for next steps (usually Malvern College). Climbing trees, making dens, playing spotlight, mountain biking and all mucking in for the next drama production are just some of the activities the pupils were (in some cases literally) jumping up and down to tell us about. On our tour, they cooed over the school animals and thought nothing of…
What the school says...
Situated in an enviable location on the western slopes of the Malvern Hills, The Downs Malvern Prep School provides children with a safe and supportive environment in which they are able to discover their passions and thrive.
Every child is a unique individual with gifts and talents that will enrich their lives and those of others. Our focus at The Downs is to spot those natural abilities and encourage, develop and celebrate them. We provide each child with a breadth of experience throughout their Prep School career and the opportunity to further themselves in all areas of school life.
We aim to foster a love of learning, a can-do attitude underpinned by curiosity, resilience and an individual outlook that seeks to challenge and fulfil.
The school is characterised by a warm, friendly, and happy family atmosphere. It’s a place to call home, it’s a place to grow. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Unusual sports
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2022, Andy Nuttall BSc PGCE MEd, previously deputy head of Windlesham House in west Sussex. State educated in Bath, and at Downside School for sixth form. Zoology degree from Imperial College London, PGCE from Bath and MEd in educational leadership and management from University of Buckingham. ‘Flirted with the army’ and ‘nearly did a PhD’, but the long-term plan was always teaching so decided to sidestep both. Before Windlesham House, he taught at Cheam School and spent four years at the Banda School in Nairobi. In his spare time, he enjoys cross-country running, gardening and fly-fishing.
‘Goodness me, talk about a baptism of fire!’ said one parent sympathetically. Indeed, Mr N accepted the job only to discover the school was merging with nearby Elms School (at The Elms’ suggestion) then...
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Special Education Needs
Children requiring extra learning support are helped both in the classroom by assistants and have one to one support given by specialist staff. Children are assessed informally by staff at school and where necessary external reports are obtained to assist. The school puts appropriate support into place in consultation with parents. English as a foreign language is taught as part of the timetable for those who require it.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | Y |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | Y |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | Y |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | Y |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malvern College | 2023 | 29 | 4 | Drama Scholarship; Sports Scholarships (2); Academic Scholarships (2) |
| The King's School (Worcester) | 2023 | 2 | 3 | Academic Scholarship; Sports Scholarships (2) |
| Cheltenham College | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Christ College, Brecon | 2023 | 1 | ||
| RGS Worcester | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Shrewsbury School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | Drama Scholarship |
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