Ages 
Malvern’s motto is ‘Sapiens qui prospicit’ (Wise the one who looks ahead). It’s a fitting epithet for such a well-run, dynamic and forward-thinking school. Just the place for families in search of a top-flight, all-round education with plenty of fun and fresh air. As one parent put it, ‘Each of our very different children has flourished here. When you come over the hills and see the school, see the houses, you feel that you belong.’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 637 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 329 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Christian
- Fees
- Day £38,115 - £40,245 pa; Boarding £56,790 - £59,295 pa
- Local authority
- Worcestershire County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Keith Metcalfe
Since 2019, Keith Metcalfe, previously deputy head at Harrow. He’s a local lad – educated at Monmouth School from where he went to Downing College, Cambridge and took a degree in geography, ‘the most broad-ranging subject’, and a blue in golf. After
Entrance
Register three years before 13+ entry; some houses fill up faster than others. New system of online entrance tests based on verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Around 35 per cent from the linked prep, rest from all over. Some entries into years 10 and
- Open days
- October and March
Exit
Under 20 per cent leave after GCSEs. Almost all the sixth form go on to higher education, a third to Russell Group universities. Warwick, UCL, Imperial, LSE, Newcastle, Liverpool, Exeter and Bristol, Birmingham all popular. None to Oxbridge in 2025,
Latest results
In 2025, 56 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 21 per cent A*/A at A level (49 per cent A*-B). IB average score of 36. In 2024, 62 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 28 per cent A*/A at A level (57 per cent A*-B). IB average score of 35.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
A levels and well-established IB programme offered in the sixth form and the different options are ‘really well explained’ to pupils and parents. ‘There’s no push either way,’ we were told and if they want to swap early on pupils can do so. School is
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
About 20 per cent of those who arrive in year 9 receive some learning support. We hear from parents that learning enhancement, as it’s now known at Malvern, has improved hugely in the last few years. ‘There used to be a stigma about it and my
Arts & extracurricular
Music and drama are ‘phenomenal’ was the unanimous verdict from parents. Malvern has been awarded the status of All-Steinway School in recognition of its musical excellence, there are 30 Steinway pianos at the college, including a performance grand
Sport
Excellent sports facilities, both indoor and outside, and an impressive list of highly qualified coaching staff. Specialist programmes cater for the elite players but not to the exclusion of the rest, their expertise enables pupils of all abilities
Boarders
Houses – known by numbers, not names – are based in a mix of characterful old or well-designed newer buildings, boys on one side of the campus and girls on the other. They are among the nicest we’ve visited – warm, welcoming and as non-institutional
Ethos & heritage
The advent of railways made Malvern easily accessible from London and it consequently became a fashionable destination for 19th-century travellers in search of pure air and healing waters – we can vouch for the former, if not the latter. Malvern
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
House staff and tutors are the bedrock of pastoral care and we heard nothing but the highest praise for them from parents: ‘My child had a few problems and support from the school was fantastic.’ ‘The environment house teams create is superb. There
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review The aims of the acceptable use of ICT policy for pupils policy are to encourage pupils to make good use of the educational opportunities presented by access to the internet and other electronic communication; to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils by preventing cyberbullying and other forms of abuse; to minimise the risk of harm to the assets and reputation of the college; to help pupils take responsibility for their own e-safety (ie limiting the risks that children and young people are exposed to when using technology); to ensure that pupils use technology safely and securely.
Pupils & parents
‘Down to earth’, ‘grounded’, ‘mainly middle class, not super rich’ is how parents described themselves. The head agrees. ‘It’s not a city school, pupils are less sophisticated – their biggest thrill comes from things like house singing, silent discos
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries and scholarships for a wide range of talents, just over half of pupils receive some fee assistance. Learning support and EAL tuition come as extras.
- Fee information
- Day £38,115 - £40,245 pa; Boarding £56,790 - £59,295 pa
The last word
Malvern’s motto is ‘Sapiens qui prospicit’ (Wise the one who looks ahead). It’s a fitting epithet for such a well-run, dynamic and forward-thinking school. Just the place for families in search of a top-flight, all-round education with plenty of fun
