Add to clipboard

What it's like

Founded as a result of a recent merger in 2006 between Malvern Girls' College (founded in 1893) and St James's School). It has a splendid site at the foot of the Malvern Hills in the town. Five school houses are scattered near the main buildings. It is extremely well equipped and has excellent sports facilities including a floodlit  all-weather games pitch. There is a high standard of teaching, and academic standards and examination results are excellent. There is a long tradition of academic excellence in science. There is an exceptional music programme and over 70% of girls learn an instrument. Games and sports are well catered for (holding a Sportsmark Gold Award) and standards are high: girls regularly reach county, district and national levels. A plentiful range of extra-curricular activities and considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits. Full use is made of Malvern's cultural and festival events. Worship and prayer in the Anglican tradition are encouraged.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 6-18; 420 girls (185 day, 235 boarding). Senior department, 11-18, 320 girls. Entrance:à Main entry ages 6, 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance/scholarship exam used for all levels in senior department; Common entrance also possible. No special skills or religious requirements but majority are C of E. Many senior pupils from own junior; other feeder schools include The Elms, Abberley Hall, Kitebrook, Kensington Prep, Moor Park.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships awarded at 11 and 16; academic, art, music and sport. Some further awards and bursaries at discretion of Head.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Rosalind Hayes, in post (as Head of St James's) since 2003. Educated at Chipping Camden Grammar School and Reading University. Previously Deputy Head at the school, Head of Economics at John Masefield School, Ledbury, Head of Geography at Ellerslie School, and taught geography at Oakham. Also FRGS; Regional Consultative Moderator for GCSE Geography; additional Ofsted Inspector specialising in post-16 education. Teaching staff: 60 full time, 20 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 50 pupils in upper fifth, all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, with an average GCSE score of 63. A-levels: 45 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 400.

University & college entrance

99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. Approximately 30% study science subjects; others take eg medicine, law, engineering, languages, business studies.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 GCSE subjects, 21 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (5 if includes further maths), 3-4 at A-level. General studies AS/A-level not offered but all take general course, Learning for Life: contemporary issues, nature of learning and skills preparation for university. Vocational: Work experience arranged after GCSE. Special provision: for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; other languages offered extra-curricular. Regular visits to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 115 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), including in the houses; 60 networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils have their own laptops which can be connected to college network.

The arts

Music: 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical ensembles plus two orchestras, gospel choir, 2 choirs, 2 jazz bands. Regular CD recordings. Senior choir sings evensong at cathedrals nationally. Girls in national orchestras and National Youth Choir. Drama and dance: Both offered. All pupils are involved in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 7 AS-level, 5 A-level. Graphics, fine art, ceramics, design, jewellery and textiles also offered; plus facilities for metalwork, plastics, wood. Girls regularly accepted to art schools.

Sports & activities

Sport: Gym, dance, hockey, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, athletics are compulsory to age 14; basketball, lifesaving, squash, netball, volleyball, aerobics, badminton and rounders optional. Riding and outdoor pursuits including sailing, rowing. Indoor rock-climbing and abseiling. Some in Midland and international lacrosse teams; district and county hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, tennis, cross country and lacrosse players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Annual week of community service (all sixth formers); help monthly with disabled children; 11-12-year olds host weekly coffee mornings for the elderly; on-going project with primary school in the Gambia; support for wide range of local and national charities, raising 10,000 each year. Over 20 clubs, eg debating, riding. Young Enterprise, CDT, music, natural history, art, judo and sporting.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: House and college prefects, college officers - appointed by Head after consultation with staff and pupils. Religion: Church of England. Worship encouraged; members of other faiths welcomed. Social: Debating and regular social events with local schools. Organised trips abroad. Meals eaten in house groups. School shop sells books and second-hand uniform. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Clear policies on discipline and sanctions. Each girl is given a house handbook which includes guidelines on conduct expected. Two councils (composed of girls and staff) deal with offences and assist with discipiline in the sixth form and middle school respectively.

Alumni association

is run by the Old Girls' Secretary, Mrs H Sommervile, c/o college.