A Guide for Forces Families
Introduction
Founded in 1900 and nestled on a 55-acre campus amidst the picturesque Malvern Hills, we offer the best in independent education for children aged 6 months - 13 years.
For many years, The Downs Malvern and our senior school, Malvern College, have forged close ties with Forces families and, as such, fully understand and appreciate the unique challenges facing them. Frequent relocations due to postings or deployments can be particularly difficult for children, and that’s why we’re dedicated to offering more than just an education; we provide a stable home from home, a supportive community, and a consistent environment where children can thrive academically, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Cultivating confidence, empowering independence
We deliver a balanced curriculum that places particular emphasis on building character and embedding enduring life skills that support children throughout their lives. With small class sizes and specialist teachers, we ensure that those in our care feel happy, supported and inspired to achieve their very best.
Extensive enrichment opportunities
Our Forces boarders not only benefit from a first-class education during school hours, but also from an extensive array of extra-curricular opportunities throughout the week and at weekends. Our Saturday morning Hobbiesprogramme offers all children from Year 3 to Year 8 the chance to explore pursuits as diverse as mountain biking, drama, farming, sports, robotics, horse riding and more, in addition to Sunday trips and activities.
Life here is characterised by diversity and a distinctly global outlook. Our boarding community not only includes those from Forces families and domestic boarders, but children from every corner of the world, alongside a healthy proportion of our day pupils who flexi-board on a regular basis.
Support for all circumstances
We appreciate that life for serving personnel is seldom predictable, and therefore we are proud to offer generous rank-ranged fee remissions for both day and boarding pupils. These fee remissions represent a significant discount and are applied to the full fees before any eligible CEA allowances are calculated.
This support provides parents with the peace of mind that, whilst the world around them may change, for their children, it will not.
Progression to Malvern College
We welcome boarders between the ages of 7-13, with one of the many advantages being an effortless progression to Malvern College, one of the finest schools in the UK, from ages 13-18.
“ Boardinghasbeena brilliantexperienceand Ifeelthatithasgivenme alotofindependence... Iwoulddefinitely recommend it! ”
Chloe
Forces Boarder, Year 8
“ I joined The Downs Malvern as a boarder in Year 3. Coming from a military family, we moved frequently; before joining the school, I had lived in various places and my parents felt that it would be better for my education if I had more stability. Since being here, they have moved five times, so I think they made the right choice! My older brother had a great experience here too, so I was happy to come.
The Boarding House is wonderful, and it’s become a second home for me.
Mr and Mrs Warlow are really kind and supportive to everyone, and the Boarding House isn’t too big, so we all feel like family. The food is really good too, which helps you settle in. On Sundays, we have 'Boarders' Choice' for supper, when we can choose whatever we would like to eat!
When I first joined, I was quite shy, but I have grown in confidence so much, and I’m now Head of House. I help the younger boarders, reading them stories, helping them change their sheets, pointing them in the right direction when they're unwell and offering support when they miss home. It’s a role that I love.
Weekends are brilliant, as we often go on trips, which include activities like bouldering, shopping, cinema and theme parks. We also went to Cornwall for a week with the school last year, which was great fun as we had the opportunity to surf and visit The Eden Project.
Not everybody realises, but we are the junior part of Malvern College. I will be joining my brother there after I leave The Downs Malvern, but we have spent so much time using their swimming pool, theatre, and meeting their teachers, that the transition doesn’t seem too scary.
I am thankful that it has given me a stable home and friends that I will cherish forever. Boarding has been a brilliant experience, and I feel that it has given me a lot of independence and prepared me for my future; I would definitely recommend it! ”
Mr and Mrs Warlow Houseparents
“ Our Boarding House thrives on community, driven by our core values of kindness, respect and friendship. Cultural diversity is one of the most exciting and vibrant elements of boarding at The Downs Malvern, and children join us from all walks of life and from throughout the UK and abroad.
The Boarding House is a family affair, and raising our two children here, along with our dogs, has been very special. It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with the care of our boarders. We get to know each of them really well, spending mealtimes, evenings and weekends with them.
Our dedicated team, including two resident matrons, ensures that they are safe, happy and supported at all times.
We have several large, well-equipped common rooms that bustle with laughter and form the core of the Boarding House, where all ages, boys and girls, socialise together. Our dormitories are bright, comfortable, and inviting, and we encourage the children to personalise their spaces to reflect their personalities and interests, further increasing their sense of belonging.
A wide range of activities are available in the evenings and at weekends, including creative arts, sports, outdoor pursuits, and trips; however, we also understand the importance of unstructured, free time. After all, school days are action-packed, and everyone needs time to recharge their batteries.
If you ask a boarder to sum up life in our Boarding House, most will simply say ‘fun’! Quality time with friends where you can make the most of every hour of the day—what’s not to like? ”
“ TheBoardingHouse isafamilyaffair,and bringingupourtwo childrenalongwithour dogsherehasbeen veryspecial. ”
Reasons to Board with us
“ The staff are incredibly helpful and always in constant communication; we are wellinformed about our children’s progress and well-being. They enjoy their time and have really thrived, it’s a truly wonderful opportunity for them and we couldn’t be happier. ”
Current Forces Parent
Established history ofworkingwith Forces families.
Safe,rurallocation inanAreaof Outstanding NaturalBeauty. Superbextra-curricular activitiesincluding mountainbiking,railway, entrepreneurialstudies, orchestraandmore.
Generous rankranged discounts , CEAfunding accepted and bursarial support available.
Highly adept at achieving excellent outcomes for all pupils.
Exceptional facilities drama,foracademics,art, musicandsport.
Outstanding boarding provision led by highly experienced Houseparents.
Close-knit,supportivecommunity;friendsforlife.
Seamless progression to Malvern College.
Forces Fees
We are proud of our military heritage, which dates back over 100 years. Today both The Downs Malvern and Malvern College have a thriving community of pupils whose parents are serving military personnel.
We are excited to announce our new forces discount scheme.
Service remissions are automatically awarded to those families who are eligible for the CEA, meaning that they will only ever pay a parental contribution of 10% of the gross full boarding fee.
How to find us
» The Downs Malvern is located on a beautiful 55-acre site on the western edge of the Malvern Hills.
» The M5 motorway is easily accessible within 20 minutes.
» Colwall railway station has direct routes to London Paddington and Birmingham New Street.
» A choice of three local airports: Birmingham International, Bristol and East Midlands.
Bristol
(Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted)