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This week, our Pre-Prep pupils have been busy exploring a wonderful mix of activities. In How to Draw, the children refined their observational drawing skills and experimented with blending techniques, while birdwatching sessions had them identifying birds by sight and sound, discussing diets, and making fat balls. 🐦 Coding activities included programming LEGO trains and exploring Sphero robotics using iPads, while Rugby Tykes focused on teamwork and coordination. They also prepared a dance performance for assembly and tried their hand at stop-motion animation, creating short films with construction sets and small-world characters. 🎥 Last but not least, this afternoon’s Farming activity saw them don their wellies and head to the smallholding, where Mr Nuttall demonstrated how to use an ultrasound to detect if our pigs are expecting piglets! Another memorable week! 🐖 #thedownsmalvern #independentschool #activities #hobbies #newopportunities #colwall #malvern #herefordshire #worcestershire

🏆 Last Sunday, our full boarders competed in the annual TDM Boarding Olympiad Games! Teams of six, made up of pupils of all ages, tackled eight exciting challenges - some requiring skill, some stamina, some teamwork, and others a good slice of luck! Favourites like pool ball bowls and laying an egg made a return, while new events such as cup pong and crocodile river added fresh fun to the mix. The rest of the day was spent playing football, relaxing in the common rooms, and enjoying some delicious meals. With the weekend just around the corner, everyone is now looking forward to this weekend’s trip to 270 Climbing in Gloucester! 🧗🏼‍♀️ #thedownsmalvern #independentschool #ukboardingschool #community #malverncollege

Whilst our netball teams travelled to Cheltenham Prep for their fixtures today, our 3rd and 4th football teams hosted Beaudesert Park School at The Downs for an afternoon of high-energy, competitive matches. The afternoon began with glorious sunshine, but the weather quickly turned as fog rolled in - at times making it hard to spot the ball! Despite the challenging conditions, both teams displayed remarkable determination. A huge thank you to Beaudesert for their excellent sportsmanship and to our players for their superb effort and team spirit. Well played, everyone! 👏 #thedownsmalvern #independentschool #schoolfootball #interestingweather #colwall #malvern #herefordshire #worcestershire

Today’s Forest School was filled with imagination, teamwork, and treasure hunting! 🌿 The children in our Early Years and Years 1 and 2, took part in sessions designed to spark creativity and build communication and listening skills. Years 1 and 2 received a mini treasure chest with a golden mystery item inside and a very important mission: hide their treasure, craft a map using natural materials, and mark the spot with an "X". They then used each other’s treasure maps to track down the hidden chests. 🗺️ Our Early Years explorers took on their own special quest by following a trail to discover their hidden treasure, developing their observation skills every step of the way. From creating maps to unearthing hidden treasure, our explorers worked together and embraced the great outdoors! 🌲 #thedownsmalvern #forestschool #independentschool #malvern #colwall #herefordshire #worcestershire #thegreatoutdoors #treasurehunt #collaboration #communication

Today, our amazing Sports Ambassadors and Prefects delivered an inspiring assembly focused on how we can all strive to become the best versions of ourselves. Through stories of resilience from sports legends, they encouraged everyone to embrace a growth mindset, tackle challenges head-on, and take small steps every day towards self-improvement. A huge well done to Max, Oscar, Maita, and Lois for their confident and engaging presentation! #thedownsmalvern #independentschool #positivity #action #malvern #colwall #herefordshire #worcestershire

At The Downs Malvern, we’re committed to providing the very best start to your child’s education. With small class sizes and caring, expert staff, every child is given the attention they need to thrive, while our wraparound care makes busy mornings and afternoons easier, with early drop-offs and after-school activities in a safe, nurturing environment. Set within 55 acres of beautiful countryside, our Reception class is packed with opportunities for adventure and discovery. From meeting the animals on our small holding to exploring meadows and woodland in our Forest School, and even enjoying the wonder of our very own miniature steam railway, every day sparks curiosity and a love for learning. Visit www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk to book your personal tour and discover why we were awarded Small Independent School of the Year 2024! #thedownsmalvern #malverncollege #independentschools #malvern #colwall #worcestershire #herefordshire #awardwinningschool

8:00am on Wednesday 8th January saw 40 extremely excited pupils, along with five equally enthusiastic teachers, board a coach and head to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End of London to watch the musical Matilda! This was the cast and crew from this year’s Senior Production. 🚌🎭 From the opening solo "My Mummy Says I’m a Miracle" to the final sentence "Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty!" the audience was treated to a visual feast! The wonderful set, beautiful (and sometimes dramatic) singing, expressive dancing and choreography, and spectacular technical elements made this a production to remember for a long time. No one was disappointed, and the children left with renewed excitement and inspiration for their very own production of Matilda in March.💡 During the journey home, a piano was spotted in the service station, leading to an impromptu serenade of "I Wanna Sing!". The pupils received a massive round of applause and many compliments from members of the public.👏 What a fantastic end to the day! #thedownsmalvern #matilda #theatretrip #inspiration

Join us for an unforgettable Old Downians’ Reunion 2025 marks a remarkable milestone – 125 years of The Downs! We are delighted to invite all former pupils, staff, and parents to return and relive fond memories on Saturday 24th May. Reconnect with old friends, share your stories, and take a special trip down Memory Lane […]

Hoot Playgroup returns this Friday, so come along and join us! 🦉 Running every Friday during term time from 9:30 am to 11 am at The Downs Malvern, Hoot is free to attend and open to everyone. Enjoy a morning of play, refreshments, and the chance to meet new friends. Don’t forget to wrap up warm if you’d like to explore our wonderful Pre-Prep Playground! 🧊 For the latest Hoot updates and Early Years inspiration from our amazing team, be sure to follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/hootmalvern #thedownsmalvern #parentandtoddlergroup #parentandtoddler #colwall #malvern #herefordshire #worcestershire

🙌It’s great to be back! 2025 is a very special year for TDM as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the school, and the 100th anniversary of the Downs Light Railway. 🚂 There has been plenty of excitement during our learning today, from the babies in Mini Malvern Nursery all the way up to our role models of the school, the Year 8s…and from our teachers as well! ✨We hope everyone has a fantastic term – there is plenty to look forward to! #thedownsmalvern #newterm #childhood #smallindependentschooloftheyear #workhardplayhard

👋 A very warm welcome to our two new Gap Students, Bella from South Africa 🇿🇦 and Lachlan from Australia 🇦🇺 . They've had a fantastic first morning, walking up to the Worcester Beacon and enjoying the spectacular views! We hope you have a wonderful year with us all at The Downs. #thedownsmalvern #community #letzlive #smallindependentprepschooloftheyear

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, we extend our warmest wishes to all our pupils, parents, and staff. May the new year be filled with learning, growth, and success. We look forward to seeing you all back in January! 🎉 #thedownsmalvern #happynewyear2025 #newyearnewgoals #community

This term, the Textiles Hobby has been incredibly busy. Pupils created tinsel out of old school uniforms and repurposed materials to make Christmas decorations for the TDM tree in Worcester Cathedral. They also made these unique pencil cases! Each pupil carefully measured their fabric and used the sewing machine to join different pieces, creating pocket sections for their pens and pencils. The wraps were finished with a top stitch, resulting in beautiful pencil cases that tie with a ribbon. These pencil cases are extra special, made from traditional kikoy fabric that Mr and Mrs Nuttall kindly brought back from Diani Beach on the Kenyan coast! 🏝️ #thedownsmalvern #independentschool #textiles #kikoyfabric #kenya

With the Autumn Term wrapped up, our Head Boy, Danai and Head Girl, Nova, reflect on their first few months in post. Can you tell us a little about yourselves? Nova: My favourite things to do are drama and public speaking, and outside of school, I perform in drama shows and take part in various sports clubs. I also love learning new languages and accents from different countries. Danai: I have a passion for academics and am currently applying for the Malvern College scholarship – a fun yet challenging experience! I also love sports, especially a good cross-country run. How did it feel to be selected as this year’s Head Boy and Head Girl of The Downs Malvern? Nova: I felt a mixture of emotions: overjoyed, relieved, disbelief, shocked, and excited! I am extremely proud to have been chosen and am working hard to be the best role model I can be. Danai: It was an amazing experience. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I did on Speech Day - it was definitely one of the happiest moments of my life so far. What responsibilities are involved? Nova: There are many. I am most excited about organising the Year 8 annual dance, helping the Pre-Prep pupils with reading, and contributing ideas to the Student Council. Danai: One of the most important responsibilities is being a positive role model to others, as well as attending meetings and representing the voice of the pupils. Can you share an inspirational moment from your time at the school that motivated you to be a leader? Danai: A few years ago, during a games session, I was inspired to be a leader when some of the Year 8s were chosen to organise groups. I admired their confidence, the way they helped the younger pupils, and how they turned what could have been a dull hour into something fun. What are you most looking forward to at Christmas? Nova: Definitely the school Christmas Carol Service at Malvern College. I am really excited to sing by the organ loft and read a prayer in front of the parents, teachers, and my friends. #thedownsmalvern #youngleaders

I have had the pleasure of teaching for 27 years, with the last nine spent at The Downs Malvern. My career has taken me to various locations, including Worcester, Bristol, Surrey, and even Melbourne, Australia. Fifteen years ago, we moved to Malvern when my husband accepted a position at Malvern College, where he teaches Economics and is the Housemaster of School House, one of Malvern’s boarding houses. Teaching has always been my calling, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have known from a young age that this was the path I wanted to pursue. Each day in the classroom is filled with the joy and laughter of our little ones, and their enthusiasm is truly infectious. It creates a delightful and fulfilling environment in which to work. I am extremely grateful to be part of such a fantastic community at The Downs. It is wonderful to witness the children at the beginning of their academic journeys and to build relationships with their families. Living in a boarding house at Malvern College allows me to see some of our youngest pupils grow into young adults - a privilege I treasure deeply. In our Pre-Prep classes, I firmly believe in the importance of fun. While our children may only have a few years of experience in the world, it’s essential that they have the opportunity to showcase and develop their individual strengths. At The Downs, we do this remarkably well. We encourage creativity and playfulness in our lessons, ensuring that both pupils and teachers enjoy the process. After all, when children see adults having fun, it fosters a positive and engaging learning environment. Outside of work, I enjoy watching my boys on the sports field, walking our two dogs - a chocolate Labrador and a cocker spaniel - and watching musical theatre when I get the chance, though not as often as I’d like! #thedownsmalvern #malverncollege #independentschool #colwall #malvern #worcestershire #herefordshire #bestteachers #brilliantstaff

Christmas Creativity!🎨 A number of pupils from across the year groups entered an art competition to design a festive bookmark, a competition set by the residents of The Old Rectory Care Home in Longhope. Congratulations to Flo (in Oaks) and Darcy (in Year 3) who gained Highly Commended awards for their designs and won some wonderful art equipment! Well done to all the pupils who created such wonderful, festive designs!❄️🎄 #thedownsmalvern #christmascreativity #community