Malvern Collegeis afee-chargingcoeducationalboardingandday schoolinMalvern,Worcestershire, England.[3]It is apublic schoolin the British sense of the term and is a member of theRugby Groupand of theHeadmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.Since its foundation in 1865,[4][5]it has remained on the same grounds, which are located near the town centre ofGreat Malvern.The campus, now covering some 250 acres[3](101 ha), is near theMalvern Hills.

Malvern College
Address
Map
College Road

,,
WR14 3DF

United Kingdom
Coordinates52°06′15″N2°19′34″W/ 52.1042°N 2.3261°W/52.1042; -2.3261
Information
TypePublic School
Privateboardingandday school
MottoSapiens qui prospicit
(Wise is the person who looks ahead)
Established1865
Local authorityWorcestershire
Department for EducationURN117017Tables
Chairman of CouncilRobin Black
Headteacher[1]Keith Metcalfe
GenderCoeducational
Age13 to 19[2]
Enrolment650[2]
PublicationThe Malvernian
AlumniOld Malvernians(OMs)
School songCarmen Malvernense
Websitewww.malverncollege.org.uk

Among thealumni of the collegeare at least two Commonwealth prime ministers, twoNobel laureates(five Nobel Prizes includingprep schoolalumni), an Olympic gold medalist and many other notable persons from various fields. The novelistC. S. Lewis,author ofThe Chronicles of Narnia,was a pupil of the school.

There are currently about 650 pupils enrolled at the school, aged between 13 and 19.[2]Additionally, they are linked with a prep school,The Downs Malvern,Colwall,in Herefordshire which has about 175 pupils. The College also operates five overseas campuses in China, Egypt, Hong Kong and Tokyo which opened in September 2023.

History

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Aerial view of main college building (right) and chapel (left)
The college chapel, with the Porter's Lodge and theMalvern Hillsin the background

Set in theMalvern Hills,the school's location owes much to Malvern's emergence in the nineteenth century as a fashionable spa resort, appreciated for its unpolluted air and the healing qualities of its famousspring water.The school opened its doors for the first time on 25 January 1865 under the headship of Arthur Faber. Initially, there were only twenty-four boys, of whom eleven were day boys, six masters and twohouses,named Mr McDowall's (No.1) and Mr Drew's (No.2). The new school expanded. One year later, there were sixty-four boys.[6]By 1875, there were 200[7]on the roll and five boarding houses; by the end of the 19th century, the numbers had risen to more than 400 boys[8]and ten houses.[9][10]American poetHenry Wadsworth Longfellowvisited the school in 1868,[5]Prince Christian of Schleswig-HolsteinandPrincess Helena of the United Kingdomon speech-day in 1870,[5]andFrancis, Duke of Teck,andPrincess Mary Adelaide of Cambridgevisited in 1891 with their daughter,Mary of Teck(later Queen Mary).[5]Lord Randolph Churchill's speech-day comments on education in 1889 were reported inThe Times.[11]The school was one of the twenty fourpublic schoolslisted in the Public Schools Yearbook of 1889 and was incorporated byroyal charterin 1928.[12]Further expansion of pupil numbers and buildings continued between the end of theFirst World Warin 1918 and the start of theSecond World Warin 1939.

During the two Wars, 457 and 258 former pupils, respectively, gave their lives.[13]Seven former pupils took part in theBattle of Britain.[14]In 1925, the War Memorial Library was built to the designs of SirAston Webb,with the chimney piece in the upper chamber created byLeonard Shuffrey.[15][16]

DuringWorld War II,the college premises were requisitioned by theAdmiraltybetween October 1939 and July 1940, and the school temporarily relocated toBlenheim Palace.In 1942, its premises were again needed for governmental use, on this occasion by theTREand, from May 1942 to July 1946, the school was housed withHarrow School.QinetiQ,a private sector successor to the government's original research facility, is still sited on former college land.[17]

Having traditionally been a school for boys aged from 13 to 18 years old, in 1992 it merged with Ellerslie Girls’ School and Hillstoneprep schoolto become a coeducational school[17]for pupils aged 3 to 18 years old. The college also departed from the full boarding tradition of the Englishpublic schoolby allowing day pupils, although over two-thirds of pupils board. In September 2008, the College's Prep School merged withThe Downsprep school on the latter's nearby site inColwall,Herefordshire to formThe Downs, Malvern College Prep School.[18]

Past developments

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The year 2008 also saw the start of a development scheme[19]that included a new sports complex, new athletics and viewing facilities at the pitches and two new boarding houses. The sports complex and new houses were opened in October 2009. Ellerslie House was opened for girls, commemorating the eponymous former girls' school, and the other new house has become the new permanent residence for the boys of No. 7.[20]

In 2010 part of the school suffered very serious damage when fire broke out on 10 April in one of the boarding houses.[4]The 1871Grade II listedbuilding which was the boarding house for 55 girls and living accommodation of the housemistress and her family,[21]was almost completely destroyed.[22]Over 70 firefighters and 13 fire engines from Malvern, Worcester and Stourport-on-Severn depots fought the blaze.[23]The fire was confined to the living quarters of the housemistress and her family, who were away at the time. No pupils were in the building, as the term had finished. The house reopened on 18 April.[4]

The originalpreparatory school,Hillstone, opened in 1883. When the college went coeducational, Hillstone was absorbed into Malvern to become its prep department. The prep school merged with The Downs, a Quaker school founded in 1900, and the new school is now known as The Downs Malvern.

Boarding is available to pupils in the prep school aged 7 and above, who reside in a separate boarding house known as The Warren.[24]

Structure

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Main College in snow

Governance

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The school is governed by aCollege Councilof approximately fifteen members, chaired by Robin Black.[25]Educationalist and formercricketerAntony Clarkjoined the school as Headmaster in 2008.[26]

After Clark's departure in 2019, Keith Metcalfe replaced him as Headmaster.[27][28]

Admissions

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Educational and social care standards

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AnOfstedreport, following an October 2010 inspection, rated the school's services against specific criteria and assigned an overall quality rating of Grade 1 (outstanding).[29]This compares to an overall rating of Grade 2 (good) in the previous report published in 2008.[9]In the latest report, "organisation" and health and safety provision were upgraded to Grade 1 while boarding accommodation was rated Grade 2. Other areas assessed included "helping children to achieve", to "make a positive contribution" and to "enjoy what they do" and these remained Grade 1 (outstanding). The report states that four recommendations made in Ofsted's last report had all been addressed and that the school "delivers an outstanding service that continues to be developed".[29][30]

Curriculum

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Structure

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While academic success is considered important, emphasis is also placed on the all-round development of the individual rather than on academic results alone.[31]In the Sixth Form, courses are offered atA-Levelin art, business studies, classical civilisation, design and technology, drama and theatre studies, economics, English literature, geography, Greek, history, history of art, key skills, Latin, mathematics, modern languages (French, German, Spanish), music, music technology, physical education, politics and the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics). TheInternational Baccalaureate(IB) has further been available in the Sixth Form at Malvern since 1992.[32]Further courses and special arrangements are sometimes made for other courses upon request.[33]

Academic performance

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In both the 2008 and 2010 Ofsted reports, a Grade 1 (outstanding) rating was assigned for "helping children to achieve", to "make a positive contribution" and to "enjoy what they do".[9]In 2010, the school was, according toOFSTED,ranked 28th among private schools forvalue addedto its students' A Level results, placing it within the top 5% nationally.[34]In 2011, it was 79th among co-ed independent boarding schools for A-Level results.[35]The school's pupils have achieved particularly good results at IB level. In 2011, the school was ranked 18th for the average grades of its IB pupils.[36]In 2012,The Independentreview of both A level and IB results, based on government-issued statistics, ranked Malvern 32nd in the UK with 1080.7 points.[37]In 2019, 29% of pupils scored A*-A for their A-Levels examination, whereas 60% scored A*-A for their GCSEs. For IB, 27% of the 2019 cohort scored 40 or more IB points.[38]

Extracurricular activities

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The college plays sports such asfootball,cricket,rugby,rackets,fives,athletics, tennis, squash, croquet, basketball, badminton, golf[39]and polo. At the school, boys play hockey and girls play cricket[40]and football.[41]

On 16 October 2009, a new sports complex and hospitality suite was opened byThe Duke of York.The opening was attended by several well known sports personalities including athleteDame Kelly Holmes,cricketersMichael VaughanandGraham Gooch,footballerPeter Shilton,rugby union playerJason Leonard,athleteChristina Boxerand hockey playerRachel Walker.[42]The indoor complex, which was built on the site of the old sports hall and swimming pool, offers an 8 court sports hall, a dance studio and fitness suite, a climbing wall, two squash courts, a shooting range, a large function suite, and a 6 lane swimming pool and its facilities are also available for use by the wider community.[43]They are also used byWorcestershire County Cricket Clubfor their winter training programme.[44][45]In February 2010, the school also hosted the England Blind Cricket squad for training sessions.[46]

Traditions

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The school song, "Carmen Malvernense", was written and composed by two masters,M. A. Bayfieldand R. E. Lyon. It was first sung on speech day in 1888.[5]The same song became the school song ofEastbourne Collegewhen Bayfield became headmaster there in 1895, though presumably with a change of title.[47]

Innovations

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The college has a history of innovation in the field of education. In 1963, it was the first independent school to have alanguage laboratory.[17][48]It is thought to be the first school in the country to have had a careers service.[49]Under the direction ofJohn Lewis,[50]it pioneeredNuffield Physicsin the 1960s,[51]Science in Societyin the 1970s,[52][53]and theDiploma of Achievement[50]in the 1990s. At the beginning of the 1990s, Malvern College became one of the first schools in Britain to offer the choice between theInternational BaccalaureateandA-Levelsin theSixth Form.[17][48]The school was one of the first boys' public schools to become fully coeducational from the preparatory department to sixth form.[17]

Each summer the staff and some older pupils run a summer school, Young Malvern, which incorporates many sports, activities and learning experiences. Malvern College is one of the two schools in the country (the other beingDulwich College) to offerdebatingin the curriculum and pupils participate in regional and national competitions including the Debating Matters competition and the Three Counties Tournament.[54][55]The subject is compulsory at Foundation Year level.[55]

Overseas campuses

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The college has five overseas campuses under the governance of Malvern College International:

A Swiss campus atLeysinhas closed.

Since 2021 the Malvern College schools in China & Hong Kong have been required to teach the National Curriculum of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[57]

Notable alumni

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Among the alumni of the college since its foundation in 1865 areNobel laureates,Olympic gold medalists and many other notable persons from various fields including heads of state, high ranking military personnel, royalty, media personalities, scientists, and sports people.

The school's alumni ( "old boys" ) are known asOld Malvernians,orOMs.The Malvernian Society holds many annual reunions and events. Old Malvernians, including former pupils of The Downs, Hillstone, and Ellerslie schools which have merged with Malvern College, benefit from a remission in fees for their own children.[58]Other Old Malvernian clubs and societies include OM Lodge, Court Games, Golf, Sailing, Shooting, theOld Malvernians Cricket Club,and theOld Malvernians Football Club,a club competing in theArthurian League.

Among the school's alumni isNajib Razak,a pupil of the school from 1968 to 1971, who served as the 6thPrime Minister of Malaysiafrom 2009 to 2018. In 2020 he was convicted ofcorruptionin the1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal,[59]and is currently serving a sentence of imprisonment.[60]

Old Malvernians have been instrumental in the formation of sporting and charitable organisations such asBlackburn Rovers FCand theDocklands Settlements.[61][62]

See also

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List of masters of Malvern College

References

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  1. ^"Headmaster's Welcome".malverncollege.org.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 28 April 2018.Retrieved17 May2019.
  2. ^abc"URN 117017 Malvern College".Edubase.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2017.Retrieved5 February2017.
  3. ^abMalvern College homepage,archivedfrom the original on 23 July 2013,retrieved2 July2013
  4. ^abcMalvern College to reopen as normal after serious fireArchived19 July 2010 at theWayback Machine.BBC News. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010
  5. ^abcdeCookson, R.T.C, ed. (1905),"The Malvern Register 1865–1904",Malvern Advertiser,(Originally compiled by Laurence Sidney Milward & Edward Clifford Bullock) (2nd ed.), Malvern, UK, p. xvii,archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2012,retrieved29 August20102009 reprint via Google booksArchived15 February 2017 at theWayback Machine(Note: Google's authorship citation is inaccurate – see Internet Archive version for actual title page)
  6. ^Cookson, R. T. C (1905), p. xvii
  7. ^Cookson, R. T. C (1905), p. xix
  8. ^Cookson, R. T. C (1905), p.xxiv
  9. ^abcTaylor, D., & Hall, T (February 2008),Malvern College: Inspection report for boarding school(PDF),Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted),archived fromthe original(PDF)on 22 October 2012,retrieved18 August2010{{citation}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^see Cookson, R.T.C (1905), p.XL for table of Master's Houses circa 1900
  11. ^"Lord Randolph Churchill At Malvern,The Times,Thursday, 1 August 1889; pg. 8; Issue 32766; col A ".
  12. ^Chartered bodiesArchived15 November 2013 at theWayback Machine.Privy Council Office. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  13. ^Old Malverniannewsletter. No. 23. May 2000. p. (The Chapel)
  14. ^Battle of Britain memorial unveiled at Malvern CollegeArchived20 September 2010 at theWayback Machine.BBC official website. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  15. ^"THE WAR MEMORIAL LIBRARY AT MALVERN COLLEGE".Historic England.Retrieved27 November2021.
  16. ^"Trade & Craft: The War Memorial at Malvern College".The Architectural Review.58(349): lvi. December 1925.Retrieved27 November2021.
  17. ^abcde"Our History",in General Information,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2008,retrieved18 August2010
  18. ^Jones, Sally (29 June 2007),"EDUCATION: Schools build for future as link is agreed",Malvern Gazette,archivedfrom the original on 25 March 2012,retrieved18 August2010
  19. ^"The Development Plan",in General Information,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2008,retrieved18 August2010
  20. ^"Opening Celebrations",in General Information,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 14 May 2010,retrieved18 August2010
  21. ^Tarik Al Rasheed (11 July 2010),"Worcestershire college house set to rise from ashes of devastating blaze",Malvern Gazette,archivedfrom the original on 20 July 2011,retrieved20 August2010
  22. ^BBC News 10 April 2010Archived19 July 2010 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 2 August 2010
  23. ^Claire Fry (10 April 2010),"Major blaze at Malvern College",Worcester News,archived fromthe originalon 16 April 2010,retrieved20 August2010
  24. ^BoardingArchived14 September 2012 atarchive.today
  25. ^Malvern College: College CouncilRetrieved 4 September 2010
  26. ^Senior Management Team profilesRetrieved 21 July 2011
  27. ^"Headmaster of Malvern College says farewell after 11 years in charge".Malvern Gazette.
  28. ^"Malvern College welcomes its new headmaster".Malvern College International.
  29. ^abTaylor, D. (27 November 2010),Malvern College: Inspection report for boarding school,Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted),archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2012,retrieved15 May2011
  30. ^Fry, Claire (30 December 2010),"School rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted",Worcester News,archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2012,retrieved15 May2011
  31. ^"Mission Statement",in General Information,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 7 December 2008,retrieved18 August2010
  32. ^"International Baccalaureate".Malvern College.
  33. ^"A-Level & International Baccalaureate Booklet",in Academic Overview,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe original(PDF)on 4 August 2012,retrieved18 August2010
  34. ^Top Value Added Boarding Schools 2010Archived28 May 2013 at theWayback Machine.privateschools.co. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  35. ^The Top 100 Co-Educational Senior Boarding Schools by A LevelsArchived31 October 2013 at theWayback Machine.best-schools.co.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  36. ^The Top International Baccalaureate Schools.best-schools.co.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  37. ^The Top 100 Independent Schools at A-LevelArchived25 September 2015 at theWayback Machine.The Independent. 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  38. ^"Malvern College UK Guide - Reviews, Rankings, And Fees".Britannia StudyLink Malaysia: UK Study Expert.25 June 2020.Retrieved8 January2021.
  39. ^"Golf | Malvern College".www.malverncollege.org.uk.Retrieved9 February2021.
  40. ^"Cricket | Malvern College".www.malverncollege.org.uk.Retrieved9 February2021.
  41. ^Sports,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2008,retrieved18 August2010
  42. ^"Stars To Open Malvern College Sports Complex",in Countries section: England: Community Cricket,cricketworld.com website, 2 October 2009,retrieved18 August2010[permanent dead link]
  43. ^"Malvern College Sports Complex & Function Suite",in Leisure and Culture, Leisure Facilities section,Malvern Hills District Council website,archivedfrom the original on 1 February 2018,retrieved31 January2018
  44. ^"Worcs to train at Malvern College",BBC Sport,British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),2 December 2008,retrieved19 August2010
  45. ^"Rhodes praises Worcester's pre-season preparations",BBC Sport,BBC, 12 January 2010,retrieved19 August2010
  46. ^Malvern College welcomes England Blind Cricket Team as they prepare to face Pakistan.conference-worcestershire.org. February 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.[dead link]
  47. ^A history of music at Eastbourne College from its foundation in 1867(PDF),Eastbourne College,18 August 2008, p. 9, archived fromthe original(PDF)on 19 July 2011,retrieved19 August2010
  48. ^ab"The 16-plus course that is growing in popularity",Malvern Gazette,26 September 2002,archivedfrom the original on 20 July 2011,retrieved19 August2010
  49. ^Old Malvernian Newsletter. No. 23. May 2000. p. 22.
  50. ^abSir Christopher Ball (30 December 1994),Education for life,TSL Education Ltd (TES Connect website), archived fromthe originalon 10 June 2011,retrieved19 August2010(Originally published in TES Magazine)
  51. ^"Science teacher is 'best this century'",Malvern Gazette,2 February 2001,archivedfrom the original on 20 July 2011,retrieved19 August2010
  52. ^"John Lewis' role in Science in Society",Science and Public Policy,9–10,Science Policy Foundation & Beech Tree Publishing: 168, 1982,archivedfrom the original on 13 June 2013,retrieved20 August2010
  53. ^Lewis, John L (1 September 1978), "Science in Society",Physics Education,13(6): 340,Bibcode:1978PhyEd..13..340L,doi:10.1088/0031-9120/13/6/001,S2CID250737791
  54. ^"Malvern College",at Debating Matters Competition website,archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2010,retrieved20 August2010
  55. ^ab"Debating",in Academic & Careers,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2010,retrieved18 August2010
  56. ^"Our schools".Malvern College International.Retrieved13 September2023.
  57. ^Yan, Sophia; Yip, Milan (10 July 2021)."British-branded schools in China forced to teach Beijing curriculum in bid to ensure 'right' thinking".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved4 May2023.
  58. ^Old Malvernians,Malvern College (official website), archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2008,retrieved18 August2010
  59. ^Tee, Kenneth (28 July 2020)."High Court finds Najib guilty of all seven charges in misappropriation of RM42m SRC International funds".Malay Mail.
  60. ^"Malaysia's ex-PM Najib jailed after appeal in 1MDB case rejected".www.aljazeera.com.Retrieved12 May2023.
  61. ^"Amateurs in the FA Cup",at The Independent Schools Football Association (I.S.F.A.) website,archived fromthe originalon 20 July 2011,retrieved20 August2010
  62. ^"What We Do: Our History",at Dockland Settlements website,archived fromthe originalon 25 October 2006,retrieved3 February2012

Further reading

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  • Blumenau, Ralph (1965).A History of Malvern College 1865–1965.London: MACMILLAN.ASIN: B0000CMFA4

Allen, Roy (2014), Malvern College, Shire Publication Ltd,ISBN978 0 74781 305 7

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