Malvern St James experiences?

[Frimbles]

We recently moved near Malvern, and are considering private school for the first time for our girls, in reception and y4

We can’t afford Malvern College, but now that Malvern St James is co-ed, we’re considering it.

Both girls were previously at an excellent state primary, but we are drawn to private as they both love music & sport and are sensitive; both DH and I survived state comps, but would like to do better for them if we can…!

Has anyone got recent experience of Malvern St James please? Mostly we’re looking for an all-round, nurturing school, level headed and well-run with zero tolerance for bullying/bad behaviour.

The other school we’re considering is RGS The Grange, but it would be a long 30-40 min journey as we’re near Malvern

I hear the school has made some redundancies recently - I guess a lot of private schools are struggling?

I can't talk to recent experience, but as a former pupil there i am still privvy to some current opinions.

"Back in my day" (when the school was formed from 2 others MGC and St James) it grew into a wonderful school. I had the best time there and as an undiagnosed neurospicy person that wanted to do every hobby under the sun, I had everything i wanted. The teachers were execellent and the environment great. The prep department was also brilliant back then, a lovely balance between a sanctuary for young children and benefitting from the larger school facilities and community. I cannot praise the school more for my experience and what it set me up for in life.

However, it was truly independent then and some current parents feel the school has become too commercialised. Theres skepticism about the current "football academy" investment and that the school will prioritise programmes like that and the pupils outside the programme will feel a bit "us and them"

With the head teacher leaving for personal reasons mid-year and redundancies, it is in a time of turbulence and could see significant cultural change.

My advice with looking for good private schools is to visit all of them and arrange taster days (assuming that's still done) and see which one suits.

One of the best schools for primary was the elms, which is just the other side of the hill in Colwall, but thats similar to the Downs, Malvern College in terms of price.

A parent I know had two girls at MSJ and has moved 1 to MC and the other is only still there as she is in her last year of A levels. Apparently there were only going to be 15 girls in year 9 from Sept 2025. Also staff were offered voluntary redundancy in February so I would have a really good dig into the financial situation.

Lots of Malvern families at RGS The Grange, there is a minibus service from various points in Malvern to help with travel.

https://www.malvernstjames.co.uk/malvern-st-james-school-is-proposing-to-close-at-the-end-of-the-academic-year/#:~:text=It%20is%20with%20great%20sadness,continuing%20decline%20in%20pupil%20numbers.