History of The Downs Malvern

From pioneering extracurricular activities to modern eco-initiatives, explore a century of fascinating innovation and exciting developments at our historic school.

History of the School

1900

  • Founded in 1900 by Herbert Jones, the school was originally a preparatory school for boys and was unusual in pioneering the inclusion of extracurricular activities, such as music and hobbies, for its pupils.
  • This innovation would eventually become adopted by other mainstream preparatory schools.

1920

  • Geoffrey Hoyland and his wife, Elsie Dorothea Cadbury, succeeded the Joneses in 1920 and used the Cadbury family’s wealth to expand and improve the school.
  • New buildings, the introduction of pupil self-government, and an innovative curriculum emphasizing science and the arts were just some of his additions; however, he was notably responsible for introducing the Downs Light Railway, the world’s oldest privately-owned miniature railway, which is still in use today. While Headmaster, he also employed the painter Maurice Feild and the poet W. H. Auden as teachers at the school.

1940

  • Frazer Hoyland succeeded his brother Geoffrey as Headmaster in 1940, increasing the school’s emphasis on music and drama.
  • Shortly after the war, the poet James Kirkup taught at the school for four terms and wrote his first collection there.

1952 – 1988

  • William Vaughan Berkley became Headmaster in 1952 and remained until 1969. In 1957, he appointed the actor Anthony Corfield, who sustained an active program in drama for more than thirty years, to the position of English master.
  • James Brown, who had been Assistant Head to Berkley, became Headmaster in 1969. He wrote the history of the school, ‘The First Five’ (meaning the first five Headmasters), published in 1988.
  • Brown was succeeded as Headmaster by Christopher Syers-Gibson, D. H. M. Dalrymple, Ian Murphy, Andrew Auster, J. Griggs, and Christopher Black.
  • By the end of the twentieth century, the school had become co-educational, with a Nursery, Kindergarten, and Pre-Prep in addition to the original Preparatory School.

2001 – 2008

  • Alastair Ramsay became the next Headmaster in 2001 and, in 2008, the school merged with Malvern College Prep School on The Downs’ existing site.
  • During this time of expansion, a new Sports Centre and classroom block were built from the proceeds of the merger.

2009 – 2022

  • In September 2009, the baton was passed to Alastair Cook, who oversaw a period of further investment and modernization until his retirement in 2022.
  • Andy Nuttall was appointed as his replacement and now leads the school into an exciting new chapter.
  • Andy has already led significant developments in the school’s provision including the introduction of the TDM Baccalaureate, the redevelopment of the Music School, and an increased focus on eco-initiatives, with the addition of the Market Garden and Smallholding among others.

It makes you feel like you are part of something very wonderful, a very special family.

Alumna