As we mark 125 years of The Downs Malvern, this post begins a special series inspired by The First Five, former Headmaster Jim Brown’s account of the visionaries who shaped our early years. The book reflects on the values established by our first five Headmasters, qualities that still inspire us today.
It all began with Herbert Jones (1900–1920), our first Headmaster, who opened The Downs with just four pupils. When Herbert and his wife Ethel founded the school in 1900, they set out not simply to create another institution, but to build a community where young people could grow in curiosity, independence, and kindness.
Herbert’s belief in education as a moral and social duty shaped The Downs into a place of both intellectual seriousness and strong pastoral care. He encouraged pupils to broaden their horizons through the first hobby societies, the early forerunner of today’s vibrant Saturday morning Hobbies programme. In 1918, the school was badly affected by the influenza pandemic, with almost the entire community struck down. Remarkably, and perhaps against the odds, there were no fatalities.
Ethel was equally influential. Her meticulous attention to detail gave the school structure and consistency, and the routines and traditions she established became part of its enduring character.
Together, Herbert and Ethel Jones created a legacy that still resonates. More than bricks and mortar, they helped shape the spirit of The Downs Malvern, a spirit that continues to thrive today.
