Our Curriculum
At Malvern College Summer School, we know that the best learning happens when students are genuinely inspired by what they're studying. That's why choice sits at the very heart of our programme
This guide is your starting point. Inside, you'll find the full range of subjects and experiences available to you this summer - a curriculum built not around a rigid timetable, but around you. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge in a subject you love, build on skills you're already developing at school, or step outside your comfort zone and try something completely new, this is your opportunity to shape a summer that is entirely your own.
The benefits of this approach are clear. Students who study what genuinely interests them engage more deeply, make faster progress, and crucially enjoy themselves. That sense of enjoyment matters It fuels curiosity, builds confidence, and creates the kind of memorable experiences that stay with you long after the summer ends.
This is what makes Malvern College Summer School different Set against the backdrop of one of England's most inspiring campuses, we combine the academic excellence and tradition of Malvern College with a programme flexible enough to meet every student where they are. Our teachers are specialists who care about their subjects and about the students in front of them, bringing energy and expertise to every session
So take your time with this guide. Explore the options, be ambitious, and start thinking about the summer that could be yours.
Please note that the subjects featured in this guide are intended as a guide only Specific offerings may vary depending on teacher availability and the cohort of students attending each week, but we will always ensure every student has a rich and rewarding choice of options
English
All students doing the English module will do an initial placement test to assess their level of English, this is using the Oxford Placement Test. Once assessed, they will be placed in the correct class English follows the same weekly structure. The first sessions, 09:00 - 10:30, will be academic classroom-based English covering the key skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening Then there is a break before students return for the second session, which is more project-based. This immersive approach builds confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, while making lessons enjoyable and meaningful.
Topics
English (Level B2+)
Creative Arts
Throughout their time at Summer School, students have the opportunity to experience a variety of creative arts. Below is an idea of what they might get up to whilst at Summer School.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts will give students the chance to get hands-on and creative, exploring a range of exciting techniques including felting to create pen pots, tie-dyeing and vinyl to design t-shirts, enamelling to make jewellery and key rings, and photography around campus to decorate tote bags.
Mixed Media Art
Mixed Media Art will provide an opportunity for students to experiment and explore their creativity from a range of themed starting points using a variety of media such as paint, inks, pastels, and collage. We can’t wait to see what they will do!
Photography
Photography will allow students to explore camera-less techniques, experimenting with historic methods such as anthotypes, cyanotypes, and lumen prints using lightsensitive paper and sunlight Along the way, they will develop a greater appreciation of the natural world, learn the basics of composition, and grow in confidence and self-expression. Students are welcome to take home the prints they produce.
Woodwork
Woodwork gives students the chance to develop their practical skills and craftsmanship by creating a variety of exciting projects. Students have the opportunity to make either their own wooden rabbit, a wooden puzzle game, or a wooden spinning top. They also get the chance to work with metal by crafting their own candle stand
STEM
Mechanical Engineering
Students design and make a mechanical device to move a given object across a given space, and explore the use of advanced mechanical systems in industry.
Mechatronics: Pneumatics
Students design and make a mechanical product operated using fluid power, exploring how fluids, including liquids and gases are used in industry.
Mechatronics: Electronics
Students design and make a mechanical product operated using advanced electrical systems, exploring how these systems are used in industry to automate machinery. They also look at the constraints this presents, and how control technology can be used to overcome them.
STEM
Automotive Engineering
Students explore the use of design engineering within the automotive industry, designing and making a concept for an F1 car using sheet modelling techniques. They are also introduced to CAD as a tool for developing and making component parts.
Aerospace Engineering
Linked to the exciting world of commercial space travel, students design and make a concept for an aircraft built for commercial flight in space.
Sustainable Engineering
Understanding where hydrogen fits into carbon reduction for road transport. Exploring where hydrogen comes from and how it is used in fuel cells as a low-emission energy source
Sustainable Engineering
Students compete in teams to be the most efficient energy provider. Students explore tower and turbine blade design, create their own solutions and see who can deliver the best solution.
Systems engineering
Students explore control systems over the 2 days - starting with projects involving inputs and outputs, before moving on to using feedback from sensors in control systems.
Robotics
Exploring and developing ideas on remote control robotics to develop their desktop robot and compete in the Sumo-Robot challenge.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts follows the same weekly structure, but each week the theme changes. These have typically been various British/American musicals.
09:0010:30 Dance Musical Theatre Dance Dance Rehearsals for a mini performance at 12:00 11:0012:30
Theatre Acting & Script Work Musical Theatre Acting & Script Work
Throughout the week, the teachers will make sure students make a skilful step-bystep progression The sessions are built expertly, developing talents in acting, movement, voice, and teamwork. All of this work culminates in a spectacular final performance, where every student gets their moment to shine in an exciting showcase performed to the entire summer school
Outdoor Pursuits
The Outdoor Pursuits curriculum is split into 2 age groups; this is to ensure everyone can enjoy things safely, and the level of challenge is age-appropriate.
Our activities are thoughtfully designed to inspire students to try new things, believe in themselves, and develop leadership and teamwork skills through exciting challenges Bringing students together and instilling collaboration and resilience, every activity is carefully supervised by experienced, qualified instructors so students can push themselves in a safe and fully supported environment.
We understand that meaningful outdoor education looks different at different stages of development That’s why our programme is carefully structured into two age groups, ensuring every student experiences challenges that are both exciting and appropriate:
Ages 9-12: Building Foundations
Designed to introduce younger students to outdoor skills in a supportive, confidencebuilding environment where exploration and fun go hand in hand.
Ages 13-16: Advancing Skills
Offering older students more demanding challenges that develop independence, leadership, and technical proficiency.
Bushcraft Malvern Hills Walk Mountain Biking Climbing Paddleboarding
Sports
During their time at Summer School, students have the opportunity to experience a variety of different sports. Each activity session is divided into two parts, allowing students to try two different sports in a single session. All of the sports featured in this guide are available every week of the programme Below are the sports and the skills students are taught while doing them.
Badminton, Pickleball & Tennis
Compone nts Skills Drill Suggestions
Rules & safety Scoring, court lines, boundaries, nonvolley zone
Grip & stance
Forehand/backhand grip, ready position
Footwork Forward, backward, lateral movement, Side shuffle, split step
Serving
Low and high serve, underhand/overhand serve, dinking
Strokes Forehand, backhand, clear, drop, smash
Net play
Movement
Net shot, net kill, volley
Court positioning
Rule quiz, court walkthrough, mini games
Shadow swings, grip check
Shuttle run, cone movement
Target serving
Partner rally
Net exchange drill
Side-to-side movement drills
Sports
Basketball
Components
Rules & safety
Ball handling
Skills
Violations, court layout
Dribbling control
Passing Chest, bounce pass
Shooting Set shot, layup
Defense Defensive stance
Team Play Offense & defense basics
Football
Components
Rules & safety
Skills
Basic rules, fair play
Ball Control Dribbling with control
Passing Inside foot pass
Recieving
Shooting
Team Play
Drill Suggestions
Walk-through games
Stationary & moving dribbles
Partner passing
Form shooting
Mirror footwork drill
Small-sided games
First touch
Accuracy, power
Spacing, communication
Drill Suggestions
Small-sided games
Cone dribbling
Passing in pairs
Pass-and-control drill
Shooting at targets
3v3 or 5v5 games
Malvern College Summer School
College Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3DF, UK
+44(0) 1684 581 652
summerschool@malverncollege org uk malverncollegesummerschool.co.uk