Malvern College has expanded its family of schools by embarking on a more formal association with one of its key feeder prep schools.
Approximately 10% of Malvern’s foundation year pupils arrive from Abberley Hall, a coeducational boarding school in rural Worcestershire.
Malvern has made a “significant investment” in the school, which headmasters of both institutions say will put them in a stronger position to deal with the demands of a rapidly changing market sector.
The new arrangement, which began on 24 June, means that there are now eight schools in the Malvern College family: The Downs Malvern, another feeder prep in Herefordshire, and five sister schools in China, Hong Kong and Egypt, catering for an aggregate of 3,000 pupils.
Malvern College headmaster, Keith Metcalfe, said: “This is an exciting step for Malvern. The governing bodies of both our schools recognise that by sharing resources, best practice and expertise, overheads can be reduced and efficiency improved; more importantly, we can enrich our academic provision.”
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“It is very important that senior schools and prep schools work collaboratively in what are undoubtedly challenging times,” he added. “Working together helps to secure a bright future for independent education as a whole.”
Abberley will continue to operate as a separate charity, retaining its own board of governors, headmaster and senior management team, and will continue to send pupils to a range of senior schools.
“Abberley Hall is a thriving school with its own unique character,” added Mr Metcalfe. “We want to help preserve that. By joining forces we will be better able to deal with political and economic uncertainty – factors which are beyond our control.”
Abberley, originally founded in London in 1878, won school of year in the 2018 Worcestershire Education Awards. Pupils there are already regular visitors to Malvern, taking part in sports fixtures, coaching sessions, science events and drama productions.
Headmaster, Will Lockett, said: “I am confident that Abberley Hall joining the Malvern College family of schools will secure a stronger, sustainable and bright future for our school and community of parents, pupils and staff.
“In the future, our teachers and heads of departments will benefit from shared best practice with Malvern College, invitations to attend workshops and conferences held at the college, and developing innovative and inspiring teaching that will enable our pupils to excel in their academic studies and co-curricular activities.”
