Malvern St James School

Since January 2024, Gareth Lloyd BA PGCE MSc PhD FMusTCL, previously head of Cambridge Stoke College in Suffolk and three other schools before that, both here and overseas. Born and bred in south Wales, he has studied at four British universities

Selective without top slicing – ‘There’s something wholesome about all-ability,’ said previous head. Up to year 3, a taster day; after that, a taster day with an assessment of reasoning abilities: verbal, non-verbal, qualitative and spatial

Between 10 and 20 per cent leave post GCSEs – usually for a change, the lure of boys or a more vocational route, eg at Hartpury College. Diverse range of courses. Ditto for universities, with northern choices Leeds, York, Durham and Manchester

In 2025, 50 per cent 9-7 at GCSE: 34 per cent A*/A at A level (62 per cent A*-B).

General tightening up of academics and pastoral care under former headship – both are equally weighted, the theory being that happier pupils learn best. Small classes of around 15 (capped at 20) and there’s a focus on girls taking responsibility for

Has always been good, now ‘transformational’, say parents. ‘In her last school, everything was a constant battle but here they anticipate problems here before they arise’; ‘I think she’d have buckled at any other school’ etc. All staff have training

All pupils are expected to do at least two activities or clubs per week up to sixth form. No cracking of whip required from what we saw, with sports clubs very popular, as are Model United Nations, STEM club, choirs and drama. There are workshops on

Takes place just over the road. Mostly hockey and netball. Cricket is taking off and there’s tennis and athletics in the summer. Good balance of team and individual sports, eg Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, gymnastics, trampolining, fencing, spinning and

Around 10-15 per cent flexi or weekly; the rest full, with international students making up over a quarter of the school. Most from China and Hong Kong (‘can get cliquey,’ warned a parent), with small numbers from eg Germany, Spain, France, Africa,

Long known for its tailored, personal family feel, MSJ excels providing professional attention and nipping thorny issues in the bud. Head of pastoral comes in for particular praise – ‘The fact that she has a non-teaching role means you can always get

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

In the main pretty well-heeled, with some dilution from bursaries (one in four receives fee remittance). Everything from farmers to business people and professionals, and a recent rise of families moving up from the south east too. Some at pains to

Scholarships in academic, sports, music, art drama etc in years 7 and 9, all with up to 10 per cent fee remission. Scholarships at 16+ are also on merit but any fee remission at this level is means tested. Could be more on for them, say some parents

Less polished than some of its bigger competitors but that’s the whole point, with the smaller, pastorally driven character of the school suiting its pupils down to the ground. From all-rounders to high-flyers (and many are both), these girls