CL3462_Badger newsletter 125 years edition_SP

THE BADGER

Welcome to our Summer 2025 Edition of The Badger. As 2025 sees us celebrating 125 years of The Downs and 100 years of The Downs Light Railway (DLR), this edition contains some extra features, reflecting the rich history of the school and notably the foundations and influence provided by the first five Headmasters of this special school.

Ivery much hope you enjoy reading about the origins of our ethos and traditions as well as our current pupils’ many achievements and successes over the past year.

Welcome from the Head

The 2024/2025 academic year has been one of notable success, and it all began in earnest at the start of the year when we discovered The Downs Malvern had been shortlisted in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards as a finalist in the ‘Small Independent School of the Year’ category. This was an accolade in itself, and to then clinch the winner’s trophy a little later in the term was a fitting recognition of the hard work the staff have put into making the school the success it is today.

In the Autumn Term, we also welcomed a number of new staff and pupils who immediately adapted to the school’s inclusive community and adopted the school’s values of Kindness, Respect and Courage.

One of the most important developments the school has seen in recent years was the opening of ‘Mini Malvern’ Nursery. Under the watchful eye of Sandy Munden as Nursery Manager, as well as Alex Sigley as Head of Pre-Prep, the Nursery has truly been a sensational success. With waiting lists already in operation, the youngest pupils are enjoying the wonderful spaces that have been created from the transformation of the Old Library, Pre-Prep storage spaces and remodelled classrooms.

The Spring Term provided much of the academic backbone of the year, with the scholarship season reaching its zenith and the Year 8s being put through their paces in a wide range of disciplines. The outcomes speak for themselves, with a record 37 scholarships and awards being achieved by 22 pupils to seven different schools in academia, music, art, sport, all-rounder, drama and DT. These achievements reflect the busy and involved life at the school as well as the high standards that all pupils aspire to achieve. We also enjoyed the Senior Production of Matilda Junior, which had us all quaking in fear at the formidable Miss Trunchbull, as well as singing along to the joyful earworm of the song When I Grow Up! At the end of the Spring Term, we welcomed our newest additions to our developing smallholding - six healthy

Oxford Sandy and Black piglets - after Pancake, one of our school pigs, gave birth. The children were delighted to meet them when they returned to school in April.

The Summer Term has been something of a vintage year, with a record number of cricket matches played, heatwave after heatwave providing wall-to-wall sunshine, and some fantastic expeditions enjoyed by all pupils. Our keen school gardeners enjoyed success at the Three Counties Showground, winning the highest accolade of a Highly Commended Garden at the RHS Malvern Spring Show, as well as an award for the best use of recycled materials. We also witnessed two superb performances of the Junior Production of Pantastic, the Peter Pan musical, again revisiting the themes of an endless childhood and a sense of wonder and rich imagination.

The end of the Summer Term saw the school achieve yet more national accolades. In the final week of term, we learned that we had won the Muddy Stilettos award for Excellence in STEM, relating to our use of coding, robotics, DT and the steam railway - to name but a few examples of how the children are engaged with this important aspect of education here at TDM. We have also discovered that we have been shortlisted for the award for ‘Independent Pre-Prep of the Year’ in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2025... winner to be announced in the Autumn Term!

This has very much been a year to remember, and we look forward to doing our very best to continue this rich vein of form well into the next academic year and beyond!

Andy Nuttall Headmaster

Mini Malvern

Acorns, Saplings and Oaks have been thoroughly enjoying outdoor activities throughout the term, thanks to the fantastic weather.

The children in Acorns have embarked on various adventures, exploring our wonderful surroundings. They have delighted in visiting the pigs and guinea fowl, as well as spotting horses in the fields. We have shared delightful stories and picnics on Brock Meadow, while observing different machines cutting the grass and preparing the cricket pitch. Meanwhile, our Saplings and Oaks children really embraced the spirit of our Teddy Bears’ Picnic themed Sports Day, cheering for their friends and demonstrating impressive determination during the races. The atmosphere was truly uplifting, with parents joining in to provide enthusiastic cheers and support. It has been a joy to witness all the children thrive at Mini Malvern.

Sandy Munden

Pre-Prep

What a fantastic year it has been for some of the smallest members of our wonderful school community! As we reflect on the past school year, it’s heartwarming to remember all the joyful moments, laughter, and incredible achievements shared among our pupils, especially those from Oaks through to Year 2.

We kicked off the year with great enthusiasm, as our children showcased their impeccable manners and confidence during our weekly Pre-Prep Celebration Assemblies. These assemblies are delightful occasions that we all look forward to every week. It’s a time when our parents are warmly invited to join us for tea, coffee, and biscuits, witnessing their little ones proudly sharing their awards from home. It’s utterly heartwarming to see them receiving Brilliant Bee certificates for all sorts of wonderful accomplishments, not to mention the swimming certificates and the much-coveted golden spatula for exhibiting exemplary manners, trying new foods, and simply being jolly good company at the lunch table. Let’s not forget the sheer joy of hot chocolate or ice creams with the Headmaster for those fortunate enough to receive certificateswhat a delightful treat!

During the Autumn Term, Years 1 and 2 had the opportunity to visit a local apple orchard in Colwall, where excitement filled the air. The children gleefully picked apples from the plentiful trees and engaged in the fascinating process of making apple juice from scratch. Their laughter and joy were infectious as they learned how to pulp the apples and use a barrel press to create a deliciously refreshing drink — and I must say, not a single drop was left by the time they returned to school!

Another delightful outing was to The Swan Theatre, where pupils from Reception to Year 2 joined their friends from Years 3 and 4 to enjoy the lively pantomime. The occasion was fabulously noisy, filled with laughter and plenty of very loud singing! While the Oaks were too young to attend the pantomime, they experienced their own special treat. They enjoyed a lovely walk to the local village where a warming hot chocolate awaited them on a chilly December morning - how lovely! This was soon followed by another splendid nativity performance from all our pupils aged 3 to 7.

Each child absolutely shone on stage, and we were incredibly proud of their ability to remember their lines and sing their hearts out in front of a large audience. It was indeed a magical moment as they sparkled and gleamed, leaving us all filled with pride.

Throughout the year, we were delighted to host various theme weeks, providing our pupils with opportunities to try new activities. From fantastic Yoga sessions and introductions to First Aid, to stimulating Sphero robotic lessons and colourful chromatography sessions, all led by our wonderful teachers from the Prep School.

We were also fortunate to welcome two talented authors into our department. They captivated our pupils with their beautifully illustrated picture books, leaving the children utterly spellbound and eager for more stories. It was a joy to see how engrossed they became; their big eyes fixed on the pages being turned.

As we approached the year’s end, Years 1 and 2 wowed parents and family members during their Performing Arts Showcase. Every single child took to the stage, shining brightly as they shared the skills and talents cultivated throughout the year. The Pre-Prep Showcase performance was a resounding success, leaving everyone grinning and wanting more! The talent didn’t end there; we finished off the year with a superb Summer Soirée performance titled ‘There’s a Sunflower in my Supper’. The confidence demonstrated by each and every pupil from Oaks to Year 2 was fantastic. But the best part of all?

Those radiant smiles on the children’s faces as they revelled in the joy of performing! It was clear they loved being on stage just as much as we loved watching them.

Throughout the year, our pupils from Oaks to Year 2 enjoyed numerous chances to share their wonderful work during our sharing mornings. The excitement is always palpable as children eagerly invite family members into their classrooms to peruse their fantastic books and folders filled with hard work, along with a colourful display of artwork gracing the walls.

As we look forward to another action-packed year ahead, we can’t wait to create more cherished memories and continue to share in the joy of learning with our families. Here’s to a bright future filled with laughter, learning, and love at our wonderful school!

Faye Hardinges

News from the Boarding House

Life in the Boarding House has continued to be busy, action-packed and vibrant. Our boarding community of girls and boys from Year 3 to Year 8, from seven countries around the world, has been the heartbeat of the school, living and learning here seven days a week.

Our flexi boarders have brought lots of energy and dynamism, especially on our themed Fun Nights, and it is fantastic that around three quarters of the Prep school have boarded at some stage this academic year. Some stay regularly each week and some more sporadically, and whether it is to spend time with friends, reduce time travelling to and from school or perhaps to help wider family logistics, our flexi boarding provision is a very important part of Prep school life.

In addition to our wonderful on-site facilities, our Sunday trips have been a varied and enriching element of our boarding provision. Our trips and activities have included: a hike in the Malvern hills; a trip to Drayton Manor theme park; playing conkers and carving pumpkins; a trip to the cinema, Flip Out trampoline park, ice skating, escape rooms and the Autumn Term concluded with a Christmas shopping expedition to Worcester. The Spring Term kicked off with our annual Olympiad, followed by climbing in Gloucester; creative teamwork during the One-Day Film School; waves and slides in Malvern Splash; indoor crazy golf and finally Master Chef making pizzas, led by our own Head Chef, Mr Rimmer. The Summer Term was equally thrilling with a trip to the Herefordshire Raceway to go karting; laser tag games on site; more aquatic fun at the Aztec water park rounded off with the final weekend which began with the fantastic Summer Celebration on the Saturday evening! In amongst all that, the children enjoyed various BBQs and special weekend menus as part of Boarders’ Choice, and lots of well-deserved time on site enjoying our grounds and facilities, in the sports hall, on Brock Meadow playing in dens or just relaxing at the end of a very busy week at school. The Year 8 pupils also enjoyed trips to the coffee shop and store in Colwall.

Our Fun Nights have been a popular addition to the calendar, and it has been wonderful to welcome so many children into the House for these occasions. Some were for the younger years, some aimed at Years 7 & 8 and some were open to all to attend. In all, we enjoyed: Capture the Flag; Hunted (which became Dodgeball due to the thunderstorm!); Dance Fever; Quiz night; Nerf wars; an assault course; the House Talent Show; Hunted #2; Aquatastic and finally the Cricket bash.

Running through all of these amazing events and opportunities are our core values that underpin our boarding community: kindness and consideration towards others, developing empathy and being a good friend; respect (which can be towards another child, their personal space and needs, and towards staff and their expectations); and showing courage when, inevitably, there are tricky moments to overcome socially or academically. As a Boarding staff team, we focus on every child’s happiness, progress and individual needs, and work collaboratively alongside Tutors and other staff to provide that core team around each child, 24/7.

We say goodbye to our leavers who move on with our very best wishes. Particular mention to Max who has been an outstanding leader and Head of House. We also say a heartfelt thank you and best wishes to our departing staff: Miss Furlong and Miss Stephenson who have been so caring and dedicated as resident Graduate Assistants, and to Miss Tyler who moves back over the hill: we will miss her cheerful calm and sense of humour. We also thank Mr Dixon for all of his support and enthusiasm over the past few years as House Tutor, but we know that he will remain in very close contact, next year and beyond.

As we look forward to the new school year and to welcoming new pupils and staff, a new chapter begins, and we know it will be filled with fun and laughter, friendship and myriad opportunities: boarding at The Downs is very special indeed.

Creative Arts

Art

Art continues to play a valuable role in pupils’ development at TDM. Visitors to our fantastic Art Studio take us as they find us, perhaps quietly focused or reflecting, or having a lively debate.

We could be spread-out working big or exploring tiny details. There is a good chance the pupils will be getting a little messy and hands-on with media, but, if they are nowhere to be seen, it is because they are outside having a sketching adventure. Whatever, there will be lots of experimentation, exploring of ideas, going beyond just looking, making connections, and progressing with concentration skills. Once again, I have been very proud of all the pupils’ efforts and achievements this year, individually and collaboratively. Some notable successes and highlights are summarised below...

Art Scholarship Successes:

Stanislav M (Yr 8) - Malvern College

Jessica R (Yr 8) - Malvern College, Malvern St James, & King’s Worcester

Maita T (Yr 8) - Malvern College

Senior Art Colours:

Scarlett A, Laura D, Sophie FF, Libby K, Stanislav M, Tom R, Jessica R, Maita T - (all Yr 8)

End of Year Awards:

Senior Art Prize: Jessica R (Yr8)

Junior Art Prize: Ida B (Yr 6)

Summer Art Competition 2024 Winners:

Theme - Movement & Motion

Overall Winner: Amaya M (Yr 7)‘Peg Bird Automaton’

Special Guest Prize: Jessica R (Yr 8)‘Kathryn Del Fuego’

Second Prize: Thomas B (Yr 8) - ‘Fiery, Fiery Field’ Third Prize: Maita T (Yr 8) - ‘Full Steam Ahead’ Highly Commended: Odell P & Ottilie T (Pre-Prep), Ethan H & Frankie N (Yr 3), Lottie S & Rebecca H (Yr 4), Esmé A & Martha M (Yr 5), Hugo W & Anna-Jean E (Yr 6), Bertie C & Ava N (Yr 7), Tom R & Scarlett A (Yr 8).

Creative Arts

Inaugural Malvern College Family of Schools

International Art Competition 2025: Theme - Sustainability

Winner Yrs 3- 5: Theo P (Yr3) - ‘Precious Tree of Life’

Highly Commended Yrs 3-5: Felix W (Yr 4)‘Support Our Natural World, Not Pollute’

Winner Yrs 6-8: Isobel T (Yr 7) - ‘Sustainable Change’

Highly Commended Yrs 6-8: Hugo W (Yr 6)‘Primary Privilege’ & Stanislav M (Yr 8)‘Two Sides of a Chessboard’

Junior Schools’ Art Exhibition held at Malvern St James - March 2025

Overall Winner: Anna-Jean E (Yr 6) - ‘Turtle dude’ Yr 8 Winner: Maita T - ‘Full steam ahead’

Highly Commended: Scarlett A (Yr 8)‘Strides to Success’ & Rebecca H - ‘The River’ (Yr 4)

SATIPS National Prep Schools’ Art Exhibition held at Moreton Hall, ShropshireMarch 2025

Congratulations to the following for having an example of their artwork selected for exhibition: Theo G (Yr 8), Laura D (Yr 8), Tom R (Yr 8), Jessica R (Yr 8), Maita T (Yr 8), Stanislav M (Yr 8), Morgan C (Yr 7), Bertie C (Yr 7), Luke A (Yr 6), Ethan H (Yr 3), Susannah H (Yr 2).

Young Artists National Competition 2025: Theme - Perfect Pets

Winner: Ava N (Yr 7) - ‘My Dog Pluto’.

Creating decorations for Worcester Cathedral Festival of Christmas Trees

Creative Arts

Creating stage scenery for the Senior Production - ‘Matilda Jnr.’

Creating butterflies for the TDM garden at the RHS Spring Show

Drawing on location during the Yr 7 Geography & Art trip to Cornwall

Creative Arts

Drawings and paintings

Stages of life images by senior pupils

Summer Holiday Art Competition 2025

The theme of the Summer Holiday Art Competition this year is ‘Wild or Wilderness’.

As always, we would love to receive entries from Pre-Prep to Year 8. All who enter will receive a certificate and two Stars/Merits and there will be prizes for different year groups. Good luck with your ideas and let your imagination run wild!

Simon Mellor

Creative Arts

Drama

Drama at The Downs Malvern continues to thrive with a bumper year of musicals: Matilda for the seniors and Pantastic for the juniors. What a year we have had!

Iwas thrilled to join in November, crashing into an intense rehearsal period for Matilda. We feel lucky to have had such a talented cast to work with, and our Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils stunned their audiences with some brilliant ensemble numbers. Our principal actors showed they can handle West End material and pull it off. Simon Mellor’s set was characteristically impressive, conjuring multiple locations within an abstract library backdrop, to allow our production fluidity and pace.

As we don’t like to rest on our laurels, rehearsals for the junior musical began alongside Matilda. Our young cast flexing surprisingly mature acting muscles to thrill us with two truly magical performances of Pantastic, complete with puppetry, lanterns and twinkling stars. There were tears and laughter in equal measure.

Following shortly afterwards, our 30 plus LAMDA students from Year 3 up to Year 8 put on an hilarious, riotous Showcase with a hugely diverse range of scripted and devised work all based around the theme of The Future. The camaraderie created amongst the cast, and the wonderfully supportive atmosphere in the audience made for a unique and special evening.

Sally Whitaker

Creative Arts

Music

On Friday 11th July 2025, Stephanie Ingram and I proudly presented a cheque for £12,000 to the Macmillan Renton Unit at Hereford Hospital. This donation represents the culmination of a remarkable journey by the Music Department this academic year. What began as a simple idea a year ago, grew into a major event which united current and former pupils, staff, and parents of The Downs Malvern for a Charity Concert in support of the Cancer Unit. We could never have imagined how deeply this idea would resonate with our community.

On Sunday 1st June, The Memorial Hall at The Downs Malvern was alive with music. Over 120 singers, including the Senior Choir and talented instrumentalists, gathered for a full day of rehearsals ahead of the evening’s concert. The result - a truly unforgettable performance to a packed audience—and an outstanding £12,000 raised for a vital cause. However, this event is just one highlight in an exceptional year for the Music Department.

In March, we staged Matilda Jnr on the 25th and 26th, a spectacular collaboration between Art, Drama and Music that captivated audiences and showcased our pupils’ talent and creativity. Without a doubt, we witnessed some unforgettable performances during these two evenings.

On Wednesday 14th May, 10 young instrumentalists sat 12 ABRSM Music Exams ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Our pupils did extremely well, achieving 7 Distinctions and 5 Merits. Wonderful results and well deserved! In the very same week, 23 singers from Years 6 and 7 joined Malvern College’s Chamber Choir for an Evensong Service, featuring the beautiful Goodall anthem The Lord is My Shepherd, performed in the spectacular chapel at Malvern College, where voices really do sing-out!

Creative Arts

Music continued...

Later in May, our younger pupils shone in the musical Pantastic, a vibrant adaptation of the Peter Pan tale. Held on the 21st and 22nd, it was a joyful production where music and drama once again combined to great effect and the Neverland stage was lit, not only by the stage lights, but more importantly by the children’s voices. On Thursday 18th June, our Pre-Prep pupils delighted audiences with their Performing Arts Showcase, featuring solos, recorder performances, and lively drama presentations from Years 1 and 2. Just days later, on Monday 23rd June, 23 young musicians from Years 3 to 7 performed in our Informal Concert, with pieces ranging from Rodgers and Hammerstein to John Williams.

The year concluded with our annual Summer Concert on Wednesday 2nd July. Every pupil from Year 3 to Year 8 took part, whether in ensembles, year groups, or as soloists. Our three Music Scholars gave standout performances, and the Rock Band was a real highlight.

Now, as the Music Department draws the blinds, becomes uncharacteristically quiet and takes a little break for the summer, we reflect with pride on the incredible achievements of our pupils, staff, and parents this year. Thank you to everyone who had a part to play in helping us achieve, what sometimes felt like the impossible. What will next year bring? We can’t wait to find out...

Lesley Hunter

Design Technology

Life in the DT department has been full of energy, enthusiasm and creativity this year. The curriculum is broad and varied, with the children engaged in individual, paired and group projects throughout the year.

Some are traditional in scope: using resistant materials and practical skills (to make a clock, a moving wooden toy and a dragster car); some focus on the design process and prototype modelling, and some are technical and focus on IT and coding. The year started with a very impressive range of entries for the inaugural DT Summer Holiday Marble Run Competition. With constructions from Y2-Y8 adorning the Memo Hall in September, it was another collaborative opportunity for Mr Stokes, Head of DT from Malvern College to see the pupils’ creativity and initiative in judging the entries. Special mention goes to Will P, whose Marvellous Mystery Marble Run was the outstanding entry.

Year 5 started the year designing and making clocks out of MDF and acrylic. They had an introduction to Lego robotics, using iPads to send code instructions, with the focus being on accuracy and improvement. In the Summer Term, they had a brief to design a 100m2 playground in pairs with set parameters; they then had to build a 3D scale model.

Year 6’s major project was making an automata (a moving wooden toy) using cams and traditional skills of measuring, sawing and gluing. They also developed their robotics skills; focused on an everyday classroom object (pencil case, water bottle, rucksack…) and came up with a creative new design; had a series of cooking lessons learning different methods and techniques (bread, a ragu sauce, scones, flapjacks) and finished the year with some speed design lessons, having one hour to come up with a design for a range of briefs, including a discreet walking stick for James Bond, full of gadgets.

Year 7 had fun making and testing their wooden gravitypowered dragster cars in the first term. They then undertook a very interesting team challenge: to design a survival box which could be delivered to a community which has suffered a natural disaster, such as a tsunami or earthquake. Teamwork was essential here in researching necessary contents as well as a practical design: how could this box be delivered if road access is impossible? What would this community need above all to stay alive? What second use for the box could they come up with? Their ideas, together with a scale 3D prototype were presented to the class with some truly impressive responses being recognised.

Finally, Year 8 had an in-depth focus on robotics, culminating in a series of Robot Wars competitions. The focus then turned to engineering utilising an impressive kit from Dyson to learn about the many different types of engineering roles needed in today’s society, followed by a product design project to come up with a new product which serves a specific purpose in society. Their final project was terrifically popular and successful: to design and make a new chocolate bar, including brand, wrapper, recipe and shape. The children made moulds from MDF, which were vacuum-formed ready to pour in the melted chocolate and other ingredients.

Design Technology

The Saturday TinkerLab Hobby was also extremely popular. At the start of the term, pupils come up with their own project: what they want to make, and how they will do it. Having discussed their designs and practicalities, the children show great independence and initiative producing some wonderful, finished work including an 18-hole mini golf course, pen holders, a finger board skate park, a model boat and a narrow gauge cart to run on our miniature railway track! Finally, it was wonderful to receive the accolade of Excellence in Stem Winner in the Prep School category of the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2025. DT encourages children to become creative problem-solvers, to think critically both alone and in a team, and this award is a fitting end to a very busy year in the DT Department.

John Warlow

Academic Report

The 2024-2025 school year has been another terrific, and highly successful one at The Downs Malvern.

TThe TDM Baccalaureate is now fully established and in its second year. It has been incredibly well received by pupils, staff and parents alike, with pupils being well motivated to excel in all areas of school life and showing clear motivation to reach their highest achievable level. This was notable right from the start of the course all the way through to the end. Regular updates meant that our Year 8s pushed hard in those final few months in an attempt to get across the threshold for the next level. Many succeeded!

This Year 8 cohort proved themselves to be hugely able with three pupils achieving the highest accolade of an overall Platinum level (Academic and Personal Development combined). Academically, there were an impressive five pupils who achieved that optimum level, perhaps no surprise when one notes that the children managed to attain no less than eleven academic scholarships or awards to various senior schools: a clear record achievement.

Of course, the Baccalaureate is not just about those who gained a Platinum award. It is an aspirational programme where children strive for their own personal best. It was fantastic to note that, in many cases, the Personal Development aspect enhanced an overall score, clearly encouraging pupils to engage productively in a wide variety of areas - perfect for children of this age.

In other areas, the school continues to embrace the Structural Learning initiative with the highly acclaimed founder, Paul Main, delivering our Summer Term INSET. The initiative embraces a structured, evidence based, approach to teaching and learning, supporting and encouraging individual flair from our teachers but using a cohesive educational language so that pupils can

recognise when and how to use specific skills to help them achieve their learning goals. Next year, this will be developed by a further pedagogical focus on what we are calling the First Five - challenging and stimulating five-minute starter activities designed to ensure an active focus from the off and enabling children to prepare their minds for the lesson’s activities ahead.

A child’s metacognition has been at the forefront of our minds this year. We want children to engage fully with their individual learning journeys, understanding and reflecting on where their strengths and weaknesses lie. In order to enable this, since the start of the Summer Term, all academic subjects have been using either Reflection or Progress Checker sheets at the start and end of each topic. Comments like ‘I didn’t realise how much progress I have made’ and ‘Well, it’s clear that I need to work on that area’ have been heard throughout the school, and this initiative has encouraged the children to take greater responsibility for their own learning and to set their own SMART targets.

The profile of academia has been further enhanced with several initiatives from key departments.

In September our new Reading Ladder was launched, a scheme intended to encourage our pupils to expand their reading across a variety of genres whilst ensuring that the books that are read are age appropriate in content. Children who have gained their badges or simply read a book on the scheme helped to gain points for their House, the points being accumulated at the end of each term. The Autumn Term also saw us celebrate National Poetry Day in style, with some fantastic performances being delivered from each House. In the Spring Term, the school celebrated World Book Day and some classes wrote to the authors of their class readers and received letters back! Year 8 embarked on a collaborative project with the Art department based on Shaun Tan’s, The Arrival. The Summer Term whizzed by with exams, reading books focusing on myths and legends and Year 7 spent time working on advertising campaigns for toothpaste.

Academic Report

Overall, in the English Department it has been another packed year consisting of spellings, English skills lessons, grammar, creative writing, exam preparation, class readers, reading for pleasure, poetry and prose analysis and simply enjoying learning.

This academic year, the Maths Department has introduced a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), MathsWatch, for its pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8. Pupils can complete their prep on the VLE, but more importantly, they can complete independent work and use the interactive questions and videos to prepare for assessments. Every month, there has been a competition for the top three places on the MathsWatch Leaderboard, with pupils being awarded a Headmaster’s Commendation. This culminated in the top 10 students for the academic year receiving awards in the final Celebration Assembly. The Department has also joined Eedi, a high-quality platform using diagnostic questions to check pupils’ understanding and highlight misconceptions. Pupils in Years 5, 6 and 7 can enter the Question of The Day challenge over the summer holidays and can continue to practise their maths skills by completing the tasks set by their teacher, or through engaging with independent work on the platform. In addition, the department has invested in a variety of new resources and motivating games from Go Teach Maths.

In Maths Department meetings, we have continued to embed the Mastery approach to teaching Mathematics, and we have developed guidance for existing and new members of the team. This includes developing the features of what high quality Maths lessons include at The Downs Malvern.

In November, we hosted a Maths Challenge Day for local Primary Schools. This year, we introduced a new, and extremely popular, Roller Coaster Challenge. This enabled the groups of mixed Primary School pupils to develop their teamwork skills, as well as their engineering skills. In the Autumn Term, many Year 6 pupils entered the Primary Maths Challenge, and in January we sent Year 5 and Year 6 teams to the Cheltenham College Maths Challenge Day. This was a competitive event, and our Year 6 team was awarded First Place.

In February, some of our Year 8 pupils spent a morning with Year 9 pupils from Malvern College working on problem solving activities. From this, two pupils from Year 8 and two from Year 9 were selected to form a team to enter the UKMT Maths Challenge at Haberdashers’ Monmouth.

During the Summer Term, 30 Year 3 and 4 pupils entered the First Mathematics Challenge, with several pupils achieving Silver and Bronze Awards. Nearly 50

Year 7 and 8 pupils entered the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, with 12 Bronze, 7 Silver and 2 Gold Awards. The two Gold Award students had scored high enough for entry into the Kangaroo Challenge, where one of the pupils achieved a Bronze Award. Well done to all the pupils who participated in the Maths Challenges this year and to those who were awarded certificates in the MathsWatch competition.

The Science Department has hosted two Science mornings for local Primary Schools. The children were actively involved from the start with some hair-raising activities based on static electricity, using Bunsen burners to identify different salt compounds and using acids and metals to produce Hydrogen gas. The activities showcased our excellent resources, and the children went away feeling enthused and inspired.

Additionally, the Science Department ran the 2025 Great Egg Launch, with a great number of children and families undertaking multifarious feats of engineering with the ambition of being crowned champion, winning and adding their name to the fabled list of past victors on the hallowed Egg Cup of Glory.

During the Spring and Summer Terms, several new class sets of coding books were purchased to deepen our already successful programming curriculum in Computing. Amongst other things, Year 3 have been using Scratch Jr to create art galleries on iPads, and Year 7 could be found outside in the June sunshine, transmitting messages to each other with Micro:Bits, for which they had written the code themselves. With coding taught from Pre-Prep to Year 8, and robotics embedded in DT, there are many more programming projects to come in 2025-2026 to build on this foundation.

In History, Year 8 have been conducting research projects on various themes of world history and archaeology. In May, Professor Paul Nicholson of Cardiff University, a leading academic in Egyptian archaeology, and author of The British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt, kindly visited The Downs Malvern to talk to Year 8 pupils about life on expeditions and his excavations at Amarna. Pupils had the opportunity to handle 2500-year-old pottery, visibly thrilled at the thought that these same objects had once been held in the hands of people who worshipped Osiris and laid eyes upon Pharaohs. The questions Year 8 asked were very perceptive; just what Mr Vaughan would expect of a cohort that has continually impressed him with its depth of insight and sheer love of learning.

Whilst this demonstrates just how brilliantly our highly talented and passionate teachers are working with the children, there is more to come. We are ever evolving and reflecting at TDM and continue to deliver an aspirational educational experience that leads from the front.

Steve Thomas

Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs Malvern: Foundations That Still Inspire

As The Downs Malvern marks its 125th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the pioneering achievements of the first five Headmasters who have shaped its story across generations. From bold educational pioneers to steady wartime leaders, each has left a distinctive mark. This article draws exclusively from The First Five, a book published in 1988 by former Headmaster Jim Brown. Fascinating, poignant and insightful, the book isn’t just a historical record, but a tangible link to the foundations of many aspects of school life that continue to thrive.

energy, often running down the corridors after lessons. His wife, Ethel, was a strong influence too, overseeing routines and contributing significantly to the school’s foundational culture.

What follows is not a comprehensive history of the school, but a reflection on the first five Headmasters of The Downs, whose legacy echoes through our classrooms, grounds, and traditions.

Herbert Jones (1900-1920)

Founding Headmaster

Herbert Jones and his wife Ethel arrived in Colwall at the turn of the century, having crystallised their dream of founding their own Preparatory school from scratch, rather than improving or maintaining an existing establishment. The Downs opened in 1900 with just four pupils, all of them under ten years old.

Jones quickly forged a reputation for both intellectual seriousness and pastoral care. He saw education as a moral and social duty, and under his watch, The Downs was shaped as a place where curiosity, independent thinking and care for others were actively nurtured. He also taught Latin and was known for his unrelenting

Geoffrey Hoyland (1920-1940) The Visionary Reformer

Following Jones’s retirement, the school entered a new era under the charismatic Geoffrey Hoyland. He married Dorothea Cadbury, whose support helped fund a series of bold developments, including the White House, expanded dormitories, the outdoor swimming pool and the purchase of nearby woodland, where Forest School takes place today.

Arguably, one of Hoyland’s most famous developments was the introduction of the Downs Light Railway in 1925, a working miniature steam railway where boys learned real engineering skills. He also substantially developed the early forms of many traditions that our pupils enjoy today, including the radical idea of ‘hobbies’ as a central part of the curriculum.

A strong believer in leadership training, Hoyland established the “Tribe” system with pupil-led “Packs” that met weekly to discuss pupil governance. A plaque listing the original Packs - from the Pagans and Beans to the Tykes and Cherubs - still hangs proudly in the lower dining hall. He also championed emotional and creative development alongside intellectual rigour, and under his headship, The Downs gained an ethos that balanced freedom, responsibility and joyful exploration - qualities still actively promoted throughout the school. His belief in the transformative power of the arts shaped his bold appointments, most notably the artist Maurice Feild and the poet W. H. Auden, both of whom left a lasting imprint on the school’s creative ethos.

“

Days at The Downs started with a quick dip in a bath of cold water, icy cold in the wintertime… We felt it was good to be alive and better too to be at a school like ours. We felt like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn rolled into one! ”

Frazer Hoyland (1940-1952)

The Wartime Steward

Geoffrey’s brother Frazer took over at a time of national crisis. With bombs falling, Dunkirk evacuated and parents deeply anxious, Frazer held the school together through sheer resolve.

He documented this period extensively in moving diary entries:

“The war has thrown down a great challenge to us, which we are proud to accept. Though we, in this peaceful countryside on the slopes of the Malvern Hills - one of the most ancient parts of the world - have more than our share of good fortune, we are being put to the test and know that if we come through it, we shall be all the better for it. Beside us stand loyal boys, loyal staff and loyal parents, whose loyalty and friendship are a most cherished possession.”

To help offset the restrictions caused by rationing, Hoyland’s boys worked in gangs of 20, planting and ploughing a three-acre plot and, over time, producing an incredible 41 tonnes of potatoes. The school also played a notable role in the local community and, through an art exhibition and various competitions, helped to boost Colwall’s Warships Week fundraising total to £51,398 4s. 11d.

Often referred to humorously by the boys as the result of “forced labour”, by the late 1940s Hoyland had overseen the construction of a boating pond. In addition to providing an exciting new area for pupils to explore, it later inspired a popular boating hobby.

Curiously, in 1948, a school-wide time usage study added some welcome humour to the post-war years: 450 hours spent on hobbies, 810 on music and singing, and 100 making boats from scrap wood. Pupils were recorded running 360 times, bathing 660 times, and consuming 118 gallons of milk and 540 scrambled eggs!

“ For painting we were very privileged to be taught by the wonderful Maurice Feild who was a great artist and teacher. I still have a couple of the oils I painted under his guidance. ”

James Turtle (1946-1952)

William Berkley (1952-1969) A Culture of Thoughtful Growth

Berkley was the first non-Hoyland Headmaster in over 30 years, arriving with a background in international rugby and teaching experience across the Commonwealth. Known for his patience and long-term vision, he focused on building a loyal staff culture and fostering steady, values-led growth.

Under Berkley’s leadership, a number of popular traditions that we enjoy today, including Bonfire Night, were formalised into the versions we now recognise. He also introduced some that pupils are perhaps fortunate no longer to endure, such as 7am remedial morning exercises. Sport flourished, with expanded teams and new games, while PE instruction, swimming in particular, was enhanced through the addition of specialists like Ken Ricketts.

One of his crowning achievements was the development, in 1968, of the Geoffrey Hoyland Memorial Hall, an iconic space for school events, performances and assemblies ever since.

Perhaps Berkley will be best remembered as a “gentle giant” and one of the great pastoral Headmasters. The boys often referred to him affectionately as “Bill”, speaking of him with warmth and respect: “He had the sort of humility which enabled him to see problems from their point of view and to put himself in their position.”

“ On fine days we were often mucking about in our blue boiler suits, making dens and treehouses in Brock Wood, or cooking beans and tinned sausages on camping stoves. In summer, we could use the outdoor swimming pool, but only once the temperature reached 58°F. That’s just 14°C! ”

Jim Brown (1969-1974)

Bridging Tradition and Modernity

Jim Brown, a long-serving teacher turned Headmaster, had first joined The Downs in 1933 and returned after military service in the Second World War. When he became head in 1969, he ushered in what many consider the beginning of the ‘modern Downs’.

He pioneered science education at the school, building the first dedicated laboratories and securing cuttingedge equipment through collaboration with Malvern College and the national Nuffield Physics trials, an initiative focused on hands-on, experimental learning. His philosophy was simple: “Do and understand.”

Brown also reshaped the school environment itself. Although uncommon at the time, carpets replaced wooden floors in classrooms to soften noise; modular

desks allowed for flexible arrangements; and boys were encouraged to create and personalise their own wall displays. Outside the classroom, the athletics programme continued to thrive under his watch, culminating in a major victory at the first National Prep Schools Athletics Meeting in 1973, with The Downs winning both the 800 metres and the triple jump. Brown closed his time as Headmaster with a simple, quiet, heartfelt farewell: “For my memorial, look around you.”

“ Jim Brown became Headmaster in my final years. He was a good leader and a war veteran. I’ll never forget him saying to me, ‘Oh thou art a holy halfwit, go away and sin no more.’ When I do something daft now, I still hear his voice in my head! ”

Record-Breaking Scholarship Success!

Huge congratulations to our talented Year 8 pupils, who together have secured an incredible 37 Scholarships and Exhibitions — the highest number in our school’s history!

Awards span across Academia, Sport, Art, DT, All-Rounder, Drama and Music.

Scarlett A Academic Scholarship Dean Close

Music Scholarship Dean Close

Music Exhibition Malvern College

Academic Exhibition Malvern College

Zayaan E Academic Scholarship RGS Worcester

Sports Scholarship RGS Worcester

Cricket Scholarship Malvern College

Max H Academic Scholarship Malvern College

All-Rounder Scholarship King’s School Worcester

Libby K Academic Scholarship RGS Worcester

Ted M Academic Scholarship Malvern College

Stanislav M Academic Scholarship Malvern College

Art Scholarship Malvern College

Kasra M Academic Scholarship King’s School Worcester

Maita T Academic Scholarship Malvern College

Art Scholarship Malvern College

Hockey Exhibition Malvern College

Lois C Sports Scholarship Christ College Brecon

Sports Scholarship King’s School Worcester

Sophie F Sports Scholarship Dean Close

Oscar H Sports Scholarship Malvern College

Music Scholarship Malvern College

Max T Sports Scholarship Malvern College

Jessica R Art Scholarship Malvern College

Sports Scholarship Malvern St James

Art Scholarship Malvern St James

All-Rounder Award King’s School Worcester

Theo G Music Scholarship Malvern College

Max S Academic Exhibition Malvern College

Danai T Academic Exhibition Malvern College

Monty W Rugby Exhibition Malvern College

Arianna M Drama Exhibition Malvern College

Nova D Drama Exhibition Malvern College All-Rounder Award Malvern College

Henry T Drama Exhibition Malvern College

Thomas B Drama Exhibition Malvern College

Tom R DT Exhibition Malvern College

Forest School

The children in Pre-Prep and Years Three and Four have enjoyed a wonderful year of Forest School in the woodland setting on Brockhill Road, as part of the curriculum.

They have visited the site every week, learning about the woodland and its flora and fauna throughout the changing seasons. The younger children have made homes and feeders for the wildlife, built dams and bridges, used small tools for crafting and cooked popcorn, pancakes, fruit and s’mores over the campfire.

The older children have helped to look after their site, spreading bark chippings in Base Camp to reduce the impact of flood water. Using large tools, they have rebuilt dead hedges, creating boundaries and wildlife homes. The willow whips, which the children planted

last year, have grown and the children have whittled pegs, using mallets to install a carpet floor, covering it in bark chippings to create a comfortable ‘Wigloo’ den to play in. They designed their own games, making painted stones, and a stage which they have installed and are using for imaginative role play.

The Barn has been a wonderful and useful addition to our Forest School site. It has provided shelter from both sun and rain throughout the year, as well as becoming a Reindeer food packing factory at Christmas time!

Sarah Tsiquaye

Eco Team

This year, the Eco Team has continued to try and increase environmental awareness at TDM.

The pupils have met weekly to organise events, create posters, as well as research and discuss current environmental issues facing today’s ever-changing world. Always high on the agenda is the state of the world oceans and the colossal amount of plastic waste finding its way into the sea.

In June, we organised a TDM Earth Day, with the pupils wearing blue and green clothing for the day and raising money for Marine Conservation. There was also a whole school vegetarian lunch and Eco quiz, enjoyed by all. This year, we chose to celebrate at the end of the Summer Term, a little later than the globally acclaimed World Earth Day. Although the focus was mainly ocean pollution, the Eco Team also tried to raise awareness for the winter coat and boot collection, for the charity Teams4U, who we support every year with our filled Christmas boxes for children in Eastern Europe. We collected a significant number of items and are still open to donations back at school in September. So please do save any unwanted warm coats or boots, to add to our stock for deprived children in Romania. The children also introduced the new green, canvas TDM Tote bag, to promote a reduction of plastic bags around school. The stylish, canvas bags are still available from the school Stationery Shop at a cost of £5.00 per bag.

Thank you to the wonderful Eco Team for being a super group of environmental warriors and we very much hope that you will all volunteer to be part of the team again next year. Additional pupils wishing to be involved in the new academic year are warmly invited to our first Eco Team meeting in September. Any keen pupils looking for an extra challenge over the summer months, could research an environmental issue of their own choice and prepare a short presentation to show the team on their return to school.

Sarah McDonnell

Sport

As another sporting innings at The Downs ends, and we look forward to family holidays to all parts of the globe, it gives us all time to reflect upon an incredibly busy, but more importantly, successful year on the sports field.

The last three terms have gone by in a flash, but all the children have accomplished a great deal, and every single one of them should feel immensely proud of the effort and dedication they have put into their sport. Invariably, some individuals and teams have enjoyed more success than others, and that is the beauty of sport, but win or lose, all our children have ultimately been successful at one point or other. Sometimes the biggest success is being able to pick oneself up from a fall, dust oneself down and carry on.

This year saw the introduction of SOCS Sport on the school portal, and I hope that this has proven to be an excellent and easy-to-use addition whilst trying to navigate the numerous team sheets and distant venues we travel to.

In the Autumn Term, there were some brilliant performances from our teams on the rugby and hockey fields, with the Senior teams in particular winning far more matches than they lost. The Senior boys’ rugby team had a fantastic season, only losing four matches out of sixteen, and this included a first victory over Haberdashers’ Monmouth that I can certainly remember!

Back in the Spring Term, the 1st Netball team won the Malvern District Tournament for the eighth consecutive year, and the squad once again went on to represent the County. The standard of the netball the girls played was exceptional, with the team showing a strong grasp of advanced tactics and cohesive play. Our footballers and hockey players also played some good matches, and the Cross-Country team continued to excel in various meetings, including the National Prep Schools’ event held at Malvern College. Rory A had a particularly successful season, where he represented the school at the National Schools’ finals at Stoneleigh in March; it was an incredibly tough event, and Rory learnt a great deal from the experience!

The Senior Rugby 7s squad performed brilliantly and played a terrific brand of sevens rugby, both at the King’s Worcester and Rosslyn Park Festivals. The boys were only denied a clean sweep of victories at Rosslyn Park by a last play try in a match against Winchester House, a team who had beaten us convincingly at an earlier festival at Bilton Grange!

We also hosted a hugely successful Under 9 Primary Schools’ Football Festival, where it was fantastic to see so many young children enjoying their sport.

Sport

This term, our cricket teams again showed that they are learning the game quickly in some very enjoyable and competitive fixtures. The Boys’ 1st XI only lost once and the Girls’ 1st XI are now playing exclusively hard ball cricket matches, reflecting their growing confidence and ability. Our Colts (Under 10 and 11) cricketers have enjoyed playing some mixed matches and there were several notable performances, which bodes well for the future.

Our annual Sports Day, after an earlier postponement due to poor weather, was a fantastic day of Athletics, where Resilience, Collaboration and Motivation were high on the agenda. There were some exciting races, with the Relays in particular proving very tense, with several races being decided in the final 50 metres. At the end of the day, Cadbury House proved simply too strong for the other Houses and were able to retain the trophy.

Towards the end of June, 34 of our athletes competed at the Mercia Prep Schools’ Athletics Championships held at Stourport. With over 900 athletes from all over the region competing, it was great to see two of our athletes, Laura D (Under 14 300m) and Isaac D’A (U13 100m) both qualifying for the Nationals that were held at The Alexander Stadium in Birmingham in July. Congratulations to them both, although sadly Isaac was unable to compete due to illness. Laura performed superbly in a difficult event and in a strong field of athletes, so she should be incredibly proud of her achievement.

All our children have represented the school at some stage of the year, where the teams have competed in weekly fixtures, showcasing their talents and skills developed in lessons, and they have all demonstrated not only technical ability, but also resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout. An exciting addition to our sporting offerings at The Downs next year will be the introduction of girls’ football towards the end of the Autumn Term — a sport that has been in high demand. We are very excited about this new addition and the opportunities it will offer our girls to continue developing their sporting talents.

We have said goodbye to a very talented group of Year 8 boys and girls, and we wish them the very best of luck in their future sporting endeavours; they have now passed on the baton to another group of talented children who must continue to push sport at The Downs forwards, making sure they all trust the process, believe in themselves, and most importantly, enjoy playing sport the right way.

I would like to personally thank our amazing Grounds Team for all the magnificent pitches they prepare for us every week, and the Catering Team for their hard work preparing our match teas. Finally, may I sign off for the summer by thanking all the children and our parents for their never-ending commitment and support to the sport at the school, and wish you all a very welldeserved rest over the summer.

It has been another memorable year at the school, and I very much look forward to more successes next term. Michael Strong

Old Downian Reunion Afternoon

On Saturday 24th May, the School and the Downian Society together arranged a wonderful Reunion Afternoon, which drew nearly two hundred guests back to The Downs, some for the first time in many years.

In his welcome speech, the Headmaster generously invited us to wander at will throughout the afternoon. First stop for most was the display of archive material in the Upper Dining Room (formally known as the Boys’ Hall) which transported visitors back to their schooldays, and many an exclamation was heard as folk found photos of friends they had known in shared events they had perhaps forgotten. During the afternoon, the Downian Society held its Annual General Meeting, and, surely a highlight of the day, The Downs Light Railway was steamed up and provided, as it always does, a distinctively Downian backdrop to the occasion: a focus for memories and a forum for reconnection and shared recollection. Some Old Downians even relived their youth by riding the train around Brock Meadow, driven by current pupils of the School!

Having spent much of the week before threatening all sorts, in the end, the weather played ball and we were able to enjoy a lovely tea served on the Boarders’ Lawn.

Thank you to everyone who came back to The Downs to make this such a wonderful event. A special mention to Mr James Turtle, our oldest Old Downian

of the day, who travelled from Liverpool for the occasion. James started school at The Downs in 1946! We also recognise Jose, Javier and Jazmin Misiego, who flew all the way from America just for the reunion! Many Old Downians also made considerable road journeys from all over the UK to be there. It was a particular pleasure to welcome Mr Philip Hoyland, who kindly made some opening remarks, and his brother, Richard.

We would like to thank everyone who came on the day. Whether from a few villages away or from way across the ocean, your presence was appreciated and contributed to a most enjoyable and highly memorable afternoon, enriched, we felt, by a lovely mix of Old Downians from across the years, including a number whose own children are now Downians, and members of staff both past and present. It was a real Downs School family occasion, and appreciative thanks go to all involved in arranging it.

Aedificandum Est!

Stephen and Roz Robinson (Hon ODs: Staff 1989 - 1998)

Friends of The Downs

At February’s AGM, we shared our Annual report alongside the Financial update and updates on the Enrichment projects funded by the Friends.

It is fantastic to see that our new basketball hoops, mobile cricket nets, Pin-Hole Camera equipment for Hobbies and the LEGO coding sets are fully in use. We are very happy to share that we were able to cover the costs of the coach transfer to support the 40 children in the Senior Production to see the Matilda Musical, in London, ahead of their own fantastic performance in March.

At the AGM, we said farewell to a number of committee members from our Year 8 cohort and elected a brandnew committee. We would like to bring more new perspectives to the committee; therefore a few general member roles are open, and all parents (and grandparents) who are curious about the Friends or interested to join are most welcome to join our next meeting in September.

As for the TDM events, The Friends have provided a bar for this year’s Senior and Junior productions, as well as the Macmillan Charity Concert and Summer Concert.

We were very fortunate with the glorious weather for this year’s Summer Celebration, our main fundraising event of the year. We were entertained by live music, activities from Team Super Sports, pony rides, Matrons’ Jam Jars and inflatables, amongst other things! Our fabulous bar was on hand to help us cool down with refreshing drinks and appetites were satisfied by pizzas, burgers, slushies, popcorn, strawberries, sweets, and ice-cream. The Summer Celebration brought together around 250 people, including TDM families and friends, new families who are joining this September and TDM staff and Governors. A heartfelt thank you to all for your support as we couldn’t have done this without you. We would also like to share our special gratitude to the TDM front office team and the grounds team for all they have done behind the scenes.

We are pleased to share that during the first six months of the year, the Friends of the Downs have invested in high-quality oak benches and picnic tables for Main Games and the Boarders’ Lawn, new crosscountry bibs, and purchased copies of Dame Floella Benjamin’s books, “Coming to England” following a virtual author visit.

We are in a good position to consider more impactful investments to enhance our children’s learning experience in the coming 2 years and beyond. And we are working this summer to collect and review the ideas. There is so much to look forward to over the next six months too. Thank you all again for your wonderful contributions and generosity.

Friends of The Downs

Upcoming Events:

Friday 19th Sept: Parent SocialGin Tasting Evening (The Grub, Malvern College)

Friday 26th Sept: Macmillan Cake Sale (Front of School)

Saturday 4th October: TDM 125 Ball (Brock Meadow)

Friday 7th Nov: Bonfire Night (TDM)

Saturday 15th Nov: Christmas Fair for our Tombola and Cake Stand! (Memo Hall)

Thank you to our fantastic volunteers, who willingly give up their time on the committee or to support our events. Please get in touch if you would like to join the committee to support our fund-raising, help at any of our events, or help in the Second-Hand Shop.

Have a restful break and see you soon!

Lilia Parfitt Vice Chair FOTD

House Competition

Autumn Term winners: Cadbury and Morgan

Spring Term winners: Lewis

Summer Term winners: Lewis

Overall academic year 2024-2025 winners: Lewis

Heads of School Speeches

“ Good Afternoon, Headmaster, Chair of the Governors, teachers, fellow students, friends, and parents.

On this, our last day as Year 8 pupils, I ask my peers to cast their memories back to the day that they joined The Downs Malvern, to the start of their TDM journey.

My TDM journey began in Year 3 and this was the time that I truly became an explorer, experiencing whole donuts and biscuits for the very first time! I learnt to tie my own tie and proudly wore my blazer, keen to explore everything that our school had to offer. Many of us had crossed the road to become part of the Prep school, leaving the Pre-Prep classrooms, Celebration Assemblies, the golden spatula and the weekly certificates to become Year 3 pupils. This was the year when our main focus was show and tell, enjoying breaktimes and filling our sticker charts. We were given the chance to learn to be curious and explore. During Humanities lessons we were taught about the daring adventures along the sandy silk road and how cotton was traded for rich spices. We learnt to become explorers in our own way, the only difference being we traded conkers and sticks, not spices.

Year 4 was different, covid had struck and our life now revolved around an iPad. We learnt to stay entertained in our own way. Whether it was the wellie toss or beanbag throw, we still had fun.

Year 5 and 6 were full of drama. We had our first set of exams! SCARY. We also got to explore the world of Shakespeare in Drama, the Gamelan in music and an amazing hockey tour.

In Year 7 there was the introduction of an all-boys form! Never to be repeated. Our year group explored Cornwall for the first time. Whilst some fought with hay fever, others fought the concept of simple sketching - we had an amazing time thanks to our teachers. This year was a blur of exams, scholarships, Matilda, sporting events and more recently the amazing Leavers’ Experience. It still seems impossible that time has passed so fast.

Our individual achievements are many and we can all be extremely proud of all of our successes and, most of all, the life-long friendships that have been made. The future isn’t just waiting for us, it’s ours to shape. We have not changed so much from the intrepid explorers that crossed the road from Year 2 to embark on our Prep School journey, only now we are steering a slightly different path, with some of us heading off in different directions, for now, though thanks to TDM we are all leaving with the skills to take on the world!

To The Downs Staff: we would like to thank you for believing in us, challenging us, and guiding us—not just as students, but as people. You’ve been mentors, role models, and cheerleaders. And to you all, whether you have brought joy to our learning, fostered a love of sport, fed us throughout the week, kept us safe and healthy, offered us support and guidance, encouraged us, inspired us, made us laugh or paid our school fees we would like to thank each and every one of you for giving us such fantastic memories that we will take with us to our new senior schools.

The badges on our blazers have now replaced the sticker charts of Year 3, Brock Meadow will soon become an amazing childhood memory, and the donuts, well one whole donut never seems enough! As we finish the year, we look forward to taking forward more than just memories. We shall carry with us the lessons, the friendships, the laughter—even the tough days—as reminders of how far we’ve come.

The end of the year isn’t just a closing—it’s a door swinging open and on the other side are infinite possibilities, and they are ours for the taking. ”

Danai Head Boy

Heads of School Speeches

“ I have known all year that I would have to stand up here and deliver a speech but that did not stop me from thinking, ‘What do I even say?’ I mean, I’m 12. I haven’t exactly climbed Mount Everest or explored distant lands. I took time to reflect on my time at TDM and it was then that I realised that I don’t have to discover new countries, sail across the Ocean, ride into the unknown to have something meaningful to say. Being Head Girl isn’t about being perfect or delivering a flawless speech. It’s about showing up, trying your best, and encouraging and supporting others to do the same.

Like me, you might have thought that being a leader means having all the answers, doing everything right, and staying quiet in class. But it turns out, leadership is almost the opposite. It’s about being brave enough to admit when you don’t know something, being kind enough to lift others up, and honest enough to own your mistakes. Sometimes, it even means confessing that you forgot about that test you were absolutely not supposed to forget! It is about acceptance and celebrating the individuals who make up your team - in our case the TDM family.

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes—some small, like accidentally calling my form teacher “Mum” (we’ve all done it!), and some bigger, like trying to lead a group project and realizing no one, including me, knew what we were doing! Making mistakes is how we learn to improve and how we learn to be leaders.

One of the things I love most about The Downs is how curiosity and individuality are encouraged. We’re treated like explorers—free to ask questions, take risks, and grow. I love how TDM ensures that there are lots of ways to achieve, not just academically or by being the top sportsman.

Our core values Kindness, Courage, and Respect help to make TDM the special school it is. Here, failures become positives. Making mistakes shows courage, highlighting your individuality, and with help and guidance you will be supported to strive forwards towards success. There’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Standing here today, it’s hard to believe my time at The Downs is coming to an end. I’ll never forget my very first day in Year 2. I was nervous, excited—and by the end of the day, I knew this was the ideal school for me. My classmates and teachers welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I belonged. That was kindness in action.

Respect is at the heart of everything we do at TDM. It’s about more than just being polite; it’s about valuing each other’s differences, listening without judgment, and understanding that everyone’s journey is unique. When we respect each other, we build a stronger community, where it is ok to ask questions, and it’s ok to try our hardest without feeling embarrassed. For me I know my singing voice would not have improved half as much over the years if I didn’t feel safe enough to sound not so great at first.

Courage isn’t just about doing big, scary things. Although we have done a few over the years - Drayton Manor trip, waiting for cast lists to be announced or even the dark tunnel at Boundless in Year 2. It’s also about the small choices we make every day. It’s putting your hand up even when you’re unsure or when nobody else feels able to. It’s standing up for someone who needs a friend. Real courage is quiet and can be found in all of us. It’s being yourself—even when that feels different. So, wear the shoes you love. Sing out loud. Dance even if you’re offbeat. Be bold. Be YOU.

At TDM, we’re taught that courage doesn’t mean being fearless. It means being brave despite the fear. Every explorer has to fail in order to succeed. If we waited to be perfect before we tried anything, we’d never try at all. We’d still be waiting at the edge of the playground, afraid to join the game.

Whether you’ve been here for seven years like me, ten years like a few of my classmates, or just a few months— your time will fly by. My advice to you: take on new challenges and make the most of them. You don’t need to be perfect to take part, and you don’t need to be perfect to be proud of yourself.

Know that every day is a new opportunity. Use it. Grow into the leader, the artist, the thinker, the friend you’re meant to be. ”

Nova Head Girl

Award-Winning Excellence

In recent years, The Downs Malvern has received a series of prestigious accolades that celebrate the vibrancy and values of our educational offering.

At the heart of it all lies a deep commitment to nurturing curious minds, fostering creativity, and preparing pupils for an ever-changing world. These are values that have underpinned life at The Downs for 125 years.

Perhaps the crowning highlight so far came at the end of 2024, when we were named Small Independent

School of the Year in the highly competitive Independent Schools of the Year Awards. More recently, our win for Excellence in STEM reflects the breadth and ambition of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths provision, from the Downs Light Railway to our hands-on, future-facing approach both inside and outside the classroom.

Whether it’s our thriving boarding environment, imaginative eco initiatives, or award-winning garden installations at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, these accolades shine a light on a school that remains as vibrant and pioneering in 2025 as it was a century ago.

Doug Norton

Built to Inspire: 100 Years of The Downs Light Railway

As the iconic DLR celebrates its centenary, Nick Dodson, Chair of the DLR Trust, reflects on the past, present and future of this extraordinary miniature railway.

“ It’s quite something, isn’t it? One hundred years of a school railway, still running, still inspiring, and still entirely unlike anything else. The Downs Light Railway has been part of my life for many years now, and I still get a genuine sense of joy watching pupils throw themselves into it, just as they did in 1925. The line owes its existence to Geoffrey Hoyland, who became Headmaster in 1920. Alongside his uncle, Frank, he laid the first rails on what became the world’s oldest private miniature railway. It was always much more than just a novelty; it was a totally unique education.

We started with 7¼-inch gauge but soon regauged to 9½ inches. That may seem inconsequential, but it’s actually very rare, and the railway remains one of only a handful in the world to use it. Today, three locomotives run on the line: Brock, a 1974 steam engine; James Boyd, built in 1991 and named after one of the DLR’s most dedicated champions; and Tim Cadbury, our petrol-hydraulic workhorse from 1986. Many pupils earn their blue neckerchief for driving Tim Cadbury, and some go on to gain their red, signalling they are qualified to drive steam under supervision. It’s a huge and unique achievement; after all, not many pupils can say they have driven a certified steam engine before they have left Prep school!

Old Downians will recall James Boyd, author, teacher, much respected historian and rail enthusiast. He was born in 1921 and became known for his extensive research and writing on narrow-gauge railways.

After retiring from the Manchester textile industry in the late 1960s, he moved to Colwall, became a Master at The Downs, and took charge of the railway, dedicating two decades to its restoration. The locomotive James Boyd is named in his honour. Indeed, James was the reason I became involved with the DLR myself. I was filming a short documentary about his life and interests when he turned to me and said, “I’m a Manchester lad, and so are you — that’s good enough for me.” That was enough for him to invite me to get involved with the DLR. James sadly passed away in 2009, but his influence continues to shape what we do.

The railway doesn’t just benefit pupils. It quietly fascinates the wider railway community too. Because it is on school grounds, access is limited, but hardly a week goes by without someone contacting me to ask for a look around. To enthusiasts, it is a real hidden gem.

In 2010, floodwater nearly wiped out the line, with repeated washouts in the tunnel. Thanks to a major effort, supported by parents, the drainage was reworked and the railway saved. We marked the turnaround with a public Railway Gala in 2017, drawing hundreds of visitors and renewing interest from both volunteers and the wider community.

The Downs Light Railway is a unique educational tool, giving young people something real, something challenging, and something they’ll remember for life. One hundred years is an amazing age for any miniature railway to have reached, and Geoffrey Hoyland would have undoubtedly been pleased. ”

Nick Dodson Chair of the DLR

Year 8 Parent Reflection

When I was asked to write something for The Badger about our time at The Downs, I wasn’t sure how to capture the journey from Year 2 to Year 8 in just a page.

Having lived and worked in Qatar for six years, we were looking for a school where Henry could run outside, get muddy knees, and enjoy a bit of freedom. We wanted a “Goldilocks” school, one that felt just right: kind and supportive, but with enough stretch and plenty of encouragement to try something new. I found The Downs Malvern online, and our visit quickly confirmed it was the right choice. Henry’s taster day happened to fall on Christmas Jumper Day and included a visit from Santa. What’s not to love? He joined Year 2 in January 2019 with Mrs Sigley, and the magic of Pre-Prep began.

We still smile about the Golden Spatula for good table manners, the handshake at the end of the day, and the muddy wellies needed for Forest School. Pre-Prep remains one of our fondest memories, a warm, nurturing start that gave Henry real joy in learning.

The move to Prep in Year 3 meant crossing the road to “big school.” Henry was ready, but I was sad to let go of the cocoon we’d come to love. Life suddenly felt more complicated with after-school clubs and Saturday hobbies, and I remember taking copious notes on Move-Up Day.

The transition was managed brilliantly by school, and the children were soon charging around Brock Meadow with talk of den building and trading sticks or conkers. The choice of extra-curricular activities and hobbies soon had Henry working on the Downs Light Railway, learning badminton, and enjoying baking. What was I worried about?

Covid and home schooling brought its own challenges, but TDM responded quickly with both pastoral and academic support, which we really appreciated. We were relieved when school reopened, and grateful to hand teaching duties back to the professionals!

From there, the years have flown by. Campouts turned into residential trips, and Henry grew more independent with every experience. From nervously reading his first match report in Year 3 to performing as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda in Year 8, the transformation has been remarkable. Along the way, we’ve faced spelling test challenges, celebrated sporting triumphs, and seen Henry grow into himself.

I still remember our visit in 2018, when the Registrar showed us the Science classrooms and the Quad. She explained how exams from Year 6 to Year 8 would gradually build the children’s time management and exam technique. It felt a long way off then, but that’s exactly what happened.

The kindness and support we were shown from the very first day continued throughout. At each step, from the move to Prep School to longer camps or exam preparation, we were well supported by a succession of kind and patient Form Tutors. Communication was clear, and the next step easy to understand, which helped us immensely.

Being part of Friends of The Downs has also been a real highlight, giving us a way to contribute to the school’s vibrant community life. Polly Nuttall has been a wonderful support throughout, and we’re grateful to Andy and the whole Senior Leadership Team for everything they do behind the scenes to make the school run so smoothly.

Now Henry is moving on to Malvern College, and he’s ready, just as his peers are. The Downs Malvern has beautifully met its remit, to support us as a family ready for this next stage. We’ll miss the boarding house, the warm-hearted matrons, and the fantastic staff who have made it feel like home.

Once again, my son is ready for the next move. But am I!? ”

Anita Tomany

The Next 125 Years

As we celebrate 125 years of The Downs, we are excited to share the beginning of a bold and positive new chapter for our school.

As part of our long-term vision, we are announcing the relocation of The Downs Malvern to join our senior school campus from September 2027, bringing our family of schools closer together, strengthening our shared identity and opening up new opportunities for our pupils. While our location will change, the heart of our school remains constant. Our values, our community, and our commitment to exceptional award-winning education remains firmly in place.

Interesting Facts

» The Downs Malvern is located on a 55-acre site on the western edge of the Malvern Hills.

» Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

» The M5 motorway is easily accessible within 20 minutes.

» Colwall railway station has direct routes to London Paddington and Birmingham New Street.

» A choice of three local airports: Birmingham International, Bristol and East Midlands.

» There are 6 morning bus routes and 2 evening bus routes. Our buses travel to those more remote catchment areas, passing and collecting from local pick-up destinations around the surrounding counties. If you’d like to see the routes please visit the link below: https://www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk/ parent-hub/day-pupil-transport/

Values