What it’s like
Founded in 1893, it has a splendid site at the foot of the Malvern Hills in the town. Six 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.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 360 girls (72 day, 288 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance/scholarship exam used; for sixth-form entry, normally 7 GCSEs at grade C (often grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements but majority are C of E. Feeder schools include The Elms, Abberley Hall, Kitebrook, Kensington Prep, Moor Park.

Scholarships & bursaries Scholarships, value up to 50% fees, are awarded at 11, 12 or 13 and 16 entry for academic excellence, and also for art, music and sport. Croftdown endowment fund provides for some additional awards and bursaries at discretion of Head.

Parents 15+% live within 30 miles; 25% live overseas.

Head & staff
Head: Mrs Philippa M C Leggate, in post since 1997. Educated at Royal School, Bath, and at universities of York (history), Bristol (PGCE) and Bath (MEd). Previously Head of Overseas School of Colombo (Sri Lanka) and of American-British Academy (Oman), IB Regional Director for Africa and Middle East, Deputy Head of Bahrain School and taught history at Churchill Comprehensive. Also Member of ECIS; Vice Chair IB Heads Standing Committee and Executive Committee; Member of Accreditation Teams for Middle States Commission (USA) and ECIS.
Teaching staff: 50 full time, 20 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 51 pupils in upper fifth, 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 63 (over 5 years).
A-levels: 82 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 384

University & college entrance 99% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went 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. 24 AS-level 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 (1 lesson a week in Years 7–9) 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 older pupils have their own laptops.

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 competes in Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year and sings evensong at cathedrals nationally. Girls in national orchestras and National Youth Choir.
Drama & dance: Both offered. All pupils are involved in house/other productions.
Art & 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.

Sport & 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 £6000 each year. Over 30 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 & prefects: Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects – appointed by Head after consultation with staff and pupils.
Religion: Worship encouraged; members of other faiths welcomed.
Social: Debating and regular social events with local schools. Organised trips abroad. Meals all in houses. 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. A sixth-form council (composed of girls and staff) deals with offences in the sixth form, middle school council.

Boarding All upper sixth, some others, in single study bedroom (may share if they wish); 85% share with 1–3 others. Houses of about 60, plus separate houses for 11–12 year olds and 2 for sixth form. Health centre with resident qualified nurse. Sixth form can provide and cook own food. 2 long exeats a term; pupils may go home on most weekends. Visits to local town allowed.

Alumni association is run by the Old Girls’ Secretary, Mrs H Sommerville, c/o college.