We have a long and successful history of welcoming Forces families to The Downs Malvern. Today, we have a thriving community of children from these families, with those eligible for CEA funding now needing to pay just £920 per term.
For many years, The Downs Malvern and Malvern College have worked closely with Forces families and fully understand and appreciate the unique challenges they face.
Frequent relocations due to postings or deployments can be particularly difficult for children, and we take pride in offering a stable home, a supportive community, and a consistent environment where children can thrive educationally, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Life at The Downs Malvern is characterised by diversity and a distinctly global outlook. Our boarding community not only includes Forces boarders but also children from every corner of the world, alongside a healthy proportion of our day pupils who join the community on a flexi-boarding basis.
Boarders from Forces families at The Downs Malvern not only benefit from a comprehensive, first-class education during school hours but also from a wide array of extracurricular opportunities throughout the week and at weekends. Our Saturday morning Hobbies programme offers all children in Years 3 – 8 the chance to explore pursuits such as mountain biking, drama, farming, sports, robotics, horse riding, and more, in addition to Sunday excursions and activities.
A devoted team of teaching and non-teaching resident staff, led by our Houseparents, is ever-present, sharing mealtimes, evenings, and weekends with the children, providing a dependable and nurturing source of support.
The staff are incredibly helpful and always in constant communication; we are well-informed 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.
We welcome children into our Boarding House between the ages of 7-13, with the option for a seamless transition to Malvern College, one of the finest schools in the UK, from 13-18.
Service remissions are automatically awarded to those families who are eligible for the CEA, meaning that they will only pay £920 per term.* Find out more about fees and discounts.
For families looking for continuity into senior school, a similar remission is award at Malvern College.
To learn more about our provision for Forces families, please download our guide below or contact us via registrar@thedownsmalvern.org.uk, or by calling us on +44 (0)1684 544 108.
*based on 2026/27 academic year fees, inclusive of VAT
Founded in 1900 and set within 55 acres of beautiful countryside on the edge of the Malvern Hills, The Downs Malvern offers the very best in independent education for children aged from 6 months to 13 years. As the current holders of the Small Independent School of the Year Award (2024), we are proud of our long-standing reputation for excellence.
For many years, we have worked closely with Forces families and understand the unique challenges of frequent relocations and deployments. We provide more than just an education. We offer a stable ‘home from home’, a nurturing and supportive community, and a consistent environment where children can thrive academically, physically, emotionally and socially.
Boarding at The Downs Malvern offers consistency and stability during times of frequent relocation or deployment. Our warm, family-style boarding house gives children a strong sense of belonging, surrounded by friends, supportive houseparents and a close-knit community. It is a safe, happy environment where pupils can flourish both academically and socially, enjoying a wide range of evening and weekend activities.
Boarding also gives children the chance to build independence, develop valuable life skills and grow in confidence as they learn to navigate new experiences in a supportive setting. We are proud that our boarding provision was recently recognised as Highly Commended in the Brilliant Boarding School category of the Muddy Stilettos Best School Awards, reflecting the exceptional care and opportunities we provide for our boarders.
With a long history of working closely with military families, we have an in-depth understanding of the unique pressures service life can bring. To help make boarding as accessible as possible, we offer generous fee remissions, which are applied before any eligible Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is calculated giving you a consistent fee contribution throughout your child’s education at The Downs Malvern.
Our Forces boarding provision is open to children from serving UK Armed Forces families, including those stationed overseas, who are eligible for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). Children between Year 3 and Year 8 (ages 7–13) may apply and we welcome new boarders throughout the academic year where space allows.
The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is available to eligible UK Armed Forces personnel to help cover the cost of boarding education. At The Downs Malvern, Service Remissions are automatically applied for families claiming CEA, meaning you will only pay up to £890 per term (inclusive of VAT).
For families seeking continuity into senior school, Malvern College also offers a similarly generous discount, meaning you’ll only ever pay a maximum of 10% of the gross boarding fees. Please inform our Admissions Team at the time of enquiry if your family will be claiming Service Remission.
For a detailed fee breakdown, visit our Fees and Charges page or contact our Admissions Team for a personalised illustration.
Applications for the school are handled through our Admissions Team, who will guide you through the process from initial enquiry to joining day. We recommend arranging a personal visit or attending one of our Open Days to experience our boarding community first-hand.
The Downs Malvern is the dedicated prep school for Malvern College, meaning pupils enjoy an effortless transition at 13+ to one of the UK’s leading independent senior schools. During their time with us, they regularly use Malvern College facilities and meet staff, making the next step feel natural and familiar.
Life as a boarder is full of fun, friendship and opportunity. Our resident Houseparents and dedicated matrons create a family atmosphere where children feel safe, supported and at home. Evenings and weekends include a wide range of extra-curricular activities including our popular Saturday morning Hobbies programme, trips and free time to relax with friends – giving children independence while ensuring they are cared for as family.