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Malvern St James Girls’ School A GSG School

What says..

Having the prep department in the centre of the school gives a light and fun atmosphere. This is certainly not a school that feels dominated by teenage angst. The younger girls dart around a glorious copper beech, reminding everyone in the summer term when we visited that there is a life outside GCSEs and away from computer screens. There is that unique feature you can find in non-city girls’ schools - a gentleness combined with a sassy competitiveness. ‘It's warm but not fluffy,’ says the head and we think that just about sums it up...

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What the school says...

Malvern St James is a leading independent school for girls aged 4-18. What helps to make us distinct and refreshing, is our recognition and active support for the individual talents, interests and passions of girls, and the liberating and inclusive ethos the school embraces.

MSJ doesn’t produce a ‘type’ of girl. We achieve excellent academic results but we are not an exam factory. Our ethos is one of inclusion and respect. Girls can pursue their passions and interests in the field of their choice – all routes are equal. It may be horse riding, engineering, politics, the environment or climbing. We recognise the importance of allowing each individual to grow and flourish. We find ways to support girls to achieve their passions.
to is testament to MSJ’s culture of ambition and achievement.

With a roughly equal number of day girls and boarders, the School is able to offer the best of both worlds and a very flexible boarding programme. Full, weekly and flexi boarding options are offered, designed to meet the needs of modern family lives. A central position in the town of Great Malvern, situated in the heart of England, gives access to excellent transport links and cultural opportunities all around the UK, including a direct train service from London. ...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

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Rowing

Fencing

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmistress

Since 2016, Olivera Raraty, a historian (Leeds) with impeccable girls’ school credentials. Senior deputy at Notting Hill and Ealing High, assistant director of studies and head of history and politics at Wycombe Abbey, history specialist at Francis Holland NW1. With a warmth that has captivated the whole community, Olivera has brought the academic clout of her former roles with her, and while she loves the breadth of the ability range at MSJ, she is determined to build on the intellectual force blossoming in the school.

The girls say there has been a bit of general tightening up since Olivera’s arrival but no worrying dramatic changes. 'She is there at everything,' they note. She has got the staff on board because they can see she puts in the hours, loves the school...

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

Who goes where

Special Education Needs

There is an established process, according to the school SEN policy, of identification and provision for those with special needs, and a system of continuous assessment thereafter. Detailed assessments for special arrangements in examinations are carried out each year for those who need them. The support staff includes a part-time dyslexia specialist and 4 part-time EAL specialists. The added support is reflected in the excellent grades most of these pupils achieve at both GCSE and A level. 09-09

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
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
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
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

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