The Downs, Malvern College Prep School, Malvern
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School is an independent school for pupils aged 0 to 13 in Malvern. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in June 2026.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School in detail
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School in its own words
In its own words: "Established in 1900 and situated on a breathtaking 55-acre campus amongst the Malvern Hills, we provide the best in independent education for children aged 6 months - 13 years. Our offerings include day, full, weekly and flexi-boarding options to suit all requirements. We place particular emphasis on delivering a broad, diverse, yet balanced curriculum."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include swimming, dance, drama and forest school.
The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care until 6:00pm.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to The Downs, Malvern College Prep School are The Elms School (1 mile), Abbey College in Malvern (1.3 miles), Malvern College (1.7 miles) and Malvern St James (2.3 miles).
The Elms SchoolAbbey College in MalvernMalvern CollegeMalvern St James
Who goes there
In 2026, 47 pupils (21.4%) received SEN support and 7 (3.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Colwall Rail Station, about 770 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Winnings (adjacent), 180 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 10 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Herefordshire, County of (4), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
2 June 2026
Regulatory Compliance
14 June 2023
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
27 November 2018
Regulatory Compliance
24 November 2015
Integrated
1 May 2012
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£11,040 to £26,535
depending on year group
Boarding fees, per year
£26,625 to £35,100
| Reception | £11,040 a year |
| Year 1 | £13,620 a year |
| Year 2 | £14,940 a year |
| Year 3 | £18,810 a year |
| Year 4 | £22,095 a year |
| Year 5 | £24,030 a year |
| Year 6 | £24,825 a year |
| Years 7 to 8 | £26,535 a year |
| Year 3 boarding | £26,625 a year |
| Year 4 boarding | £29,865 a year |
| Year 5 boarding | £31,860 a year |
| Year 6 boarding | £32,670 a year |
| Years 7 to 8 boarding | £35,100 a year |
Including VAT. From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
Private school fees in Herefordshire, County of - 4 schools' published fees side by side
At a Glance
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby independent school
Latest from The Downs, Malvern College Prep School
The Downs Malvern praised by inspectors for developing confident, independent pupils
15 Sep 2026
The Downs Malvern Wins Prestigious Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Award
14 Sep 2026
Boarding at The Downs Malvern: In Their Words
21 Aug 2026
Two Years Young: How Mini Malvern Found Its Feet
12 Aug 2026
The Halls are Alive with the Sound of Music
31 Jul 2026
Record-Breaking Sports Day Brings Sunshine, Team Spirit and Standout Performances!
16 Jun 2026
From The Downs, Malvern College Prep School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with The Downs, Malvern College Prep School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Herefordshire, County of is 2 (the median across 115 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
79%
Available places
220 pupils
280 places
60 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Malvern
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Malvern
Across Herefordshire, County of council
Places available
1,920
Applications
1,685
Got 1st preference
91.9%
Got preferred school
98.2%
All secondary applications across Herefordshire, County of council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
47
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
24.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
220
Total Pupils
120
Boys
100
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about The Downs, Malvern College Prep School
When was The Downs, Malvern College Prep School last inspected?
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in June 2026.
How many pupils go to The Downs, Malvern College Prep School?
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School has around 220 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to The Downs, Malvern College Prep School?
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near The Downs, Malvern College Prep School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Herefordshire, County of is 2 (the median across 115 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Downs, Malvern College Prep School?
The Downs, Malvern College Prep School is at Brockhill Road, Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6EY.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)