Ages 
The Elms, only recently gradually waning and slightly out of touch, has well and truly pulled up its long, grey socks. An institution with 400 years of history probably won’t be quick to change, but this is surely one to watch – a school with progressive leadership, ambitious staff, eager-minded children and a generous helping of fresh air. One parent summed it up nicely: ‘The Elms deserves to be better known for academic and pastoral care, not just as the school with the farm.’ But for now, it was definitely a missed opportunity for us to get our best tweeds out.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 173 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £11,040 - £28,455; Boarding £32,520 - £39,165 pa
- Local authority
- Herefordshire County Council
Headteacher
Headteacher
Edward Lyddon
Since April 2023, Edward Lyddon, previously deputy head (pastoral) at Sandroyd School in Wiltshire, where he was also designated safeguarding lead and taught geography and coached rugby. Prior to that, he was head of boarding at Windlesham House
Entrance
Non-selective. No tests on entry, but previous school reports are requested. The early years Montessori department currently caters for rising 3s and above. Plans to merge with nearby prep, The Downs Malvern, were dropped in 2022 at The Elms School’s
- Open days
- September
Exit
Cheltenham College, Malvern, Radley, Sherborne, Shrewsbury, Hereford Cathedral School, Monmouth School, Winchester and Westonbirt were the most popular destination schools in 2024, with nine scholarships.
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Numbers of full boarders are around the 20 mark, but flexi is popular, with another 25 or so boarding two or more nights per week, mainly from year 6. ‘When you have local children choosing to board, that’s when you know you are doing something
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 We are proud that our school is a mobile phone free zone for the children. The children have access to technology and digital learning as part of the curriculum but they do not play on screens in their free time. Instead they make the most of our beautiful school site and play outdoors in the fresh air. Our pupils do not have mobile phones in school, other than full boarders who have an allocated time slot to call home and then the phone is kept safely with the matron team in the boarding house.
Pupils
Money matters
Scholarships up to 10 per cent of fees available at year 7 – academic, art, music, equestrian, sport and drama and musical theatre. Bursaries awarded dependent on application.
- Fee information
- Day £11,040 - £28,455; Boarding £32,520 - £39,165 pa
Our view
You wouldn’t find The Elms unless you were specifically looking for it. Its unpretentious entrance is nestled under a railway bridge at the far end of the sleepy village of Colwall (one shop, one hairdresser, two pubs) on the border of Herefordshire
The last word
The Elms, only recently gradually waning and slightly out of touch, has well and truly pulled up its long, grey socks. An institution with 400 years of history probably won’t be quick to change, but this is surely one to watch – a school with
