Founded as a result of a merger in 2006 between Malvern Girls' College and St James's School, both founded in the 1890s. It occupies a splendid site at the foot of the Malvern Hills, with four school houses scattered near the main buildings. It is extremely well equipped, with excellent sports facilities (including a floodlit all-weather pitch), modern drama centre and a specialist art and technology building. There is a high standard of teaching, and academic standards and examination results are excellent. There is an exceptional music programme and over 50% of girls learn an instrument. Games and sports are well catered for (the school holds a Sportsmark Gold Award) and standards are high: girls regularly reach county, district and national levels. The range of extra-curricular activities is plentiful, and there is a considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits.
Pupils: Age range 4-18; 360 girls (179 day, 181 boarding). Junior department, 4-11, 50 girls. Senior school, 11-18, 310 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 6, 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam or Common Entrance used. No special skills or religious requirements but majority are C of E. Many senior pupils come from own junior school.
Scholarships awarded at age 7, 9, 11 and 16 (academic, art, music and sport), also drama at 16; value of scholarships up to 40% of fees, exhibitions up to 20%.
Headmistress: Mrs Patricia Woodhouse, in post from 2010. Educated at Stafford Girls’ High School and London University (music). Previously Headmistress at Abbots Bromley School for Girls, Deputy Head at St Mary’s Wantage and Director of Music at Wimbledon High. Also ISI Inspector. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 25 part time.
GCSE: 44 pupils in upper fifth; 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects (average in 10 subjects). A-levels: 57 in upper sixth; 51% passed in 4+ subjects, 47% passed in 3 subjects; average final point score of 435.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. Approximately 32% study science subjects; others take eg medicine, law, engineering, languages, business studies.
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 enrichment courses including eg critical thinking, Mandarin, sports leaders' awards, Leith's cookery course. Vocational: Work experience arranged after GCSE. Special provision: for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; Mandarin in sixth form; other languages offered extra-curricular. Regular visits to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Many computers for pupil use, including in the houses; most networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils have their own laptops which can be connected to the school network.
Music: 50+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical ensembles include 2 choirs, orchestra, bands, small instrumental groups. 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, product design, jewellery and textiles also offered; plus facilities for metalwork, silk painting, batik, woodwork and photography. Girls regularly accepted to art schools.
Sport: Gym, dance, hockey, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, athletics compulsory to age 14. Basketball, lifesaving, squash, golf, 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; on-going project with primary school in the Gambia; support for wide range of local and national charities, raising over £10,000 each year. Over 20 clubs, eg debating, riding. Young Enterprise, CDT, music, natural history, art, judo and sporting.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: House and school prefects - appointed by Headmistress after consultation with staff and pupils. Religion: Church of England. Worship encouraged; members of other faiths welcomed. Social: Debating and regular social events with other schools. Organised trips abroad. School shop sells uniform, sports equipment and stationery. No alcohol allowed.
There are clear policies on discipline and sanctions. Each girl is given both a house handbook, which includes guidelines on the conduct expected, and a copy of the school's rules.
All upper sixth, some others, in single study bedroom (may share if they wish); 85% share with 1-3 others. Houses of about 60, divided by age (2 sixth-form houses). Health centre. Sixth form can cook own food. 2 exeats a term; pupils may go home on most weekends. Visits to local town allowed.
is run by the Old Girls' Secretary, Mrs Elisabeth Rambridge, oga@malvernstjames.co.uk.
Dame Clara Furse (first women Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange); Phyllida Lloyd (theatre director eg Mamma Mia); Sarah Staniforth (Historic Properties Director for the National Trust).
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