Malvern St James Girls’ School Overview
Malvern St James Girls’ School (MSJ) was founded in 2006 as a merger of the two former girls’ school, Malvern Girl’s College and St James’s School, to provide quality education to girls aged 4 to 18. Surrounded by the stunning Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, the campus is only 5 minutes away on foot from the Great Malvern Train Station. Direct trains to Birmingham (1 hour) and other key cities are available there. In May 2017, the school received the highest rating of ‘Excellent’ in the inspection by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI). The Duke of Gloucester’s mother Princess Alice is one of MSJ’s famous alumni.
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Malvern St James Courses And Programmes
MSJ is a forward-looking school about the belief in girls’ future. It motivates, encourages and challenges girls to grow into themselves and become the person they want to be. The school strives to provide an all-round education that enables them to maximise their potential. To make sure every girl can enjoy an individually tailored education, MSJ also offers subjects like EAL (English as Additional Language), Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and BTEC PE apart from the traditional subjects. These courses strengthen academic attainment and giving pupils an extra boost when it comes to writing Personal Statements and applying to universities. The academic results of MSJ have been outstanding, with a notable strength in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Seniors (Years 10-11)
At Malvern St James, pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum designed to develop both academic strength and personal interests. At GCSE, students study a mix of core and optional subjects. The school offers both GCSE and IGCSE qualifications, which are equally recognised by universities and employers.
All pupils take five core subjects: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and Combined Science, which counts as two GCSEs. Those with a particular aptitude in science can opt for Triple Science, which awards three separate GCSEs.
Beyond the core, pupils are encouraged to choose a language, a humanities subject, and a creative or technical subject such as Drama or Music. This blend helps build problem-solving, communication and creative thinking skills. Pupils with strong language ability may also study two languages.
Sixth Form (Years 12-13)
The Sixth Form offers a more independent academic experience. Students typically take three or four A Levels and receive expert guidance throughout. Class sizes remain small, allowing for personalised support and strong pastoral care. University preparation is a clear strength, with tailored programmes for those applying to competitive courses including Oxbridge, Medicine, Law and Veterinary Science. Pupils also receive help with apprenticeship and gap year planning, reflecting a flexible and pupil-focused approach.
Malvern St James Exam Results 2024
Exam results reflect the school’s high academic standards. In 2024, 39% of A Level grades were A*-A and 74% were A*-B. Nearly 20% of pupils earned three A*-A grades, and 90% secured places at their chosen universities. GCSE results were equally strong, with 80% of grades at 9–6. Subjects such as Geography, Music, Further Maths and Art saw particularly high scores.
Malvern St James Fees
The full boarding fees per term for international students are:
- Years 7-8 – £11,300
- Years 9-11 – £17,808
- Years 12-13 – £17,808
The day fees are £6,990 for all these year groups.
Malvern St James Boarding And Pastoral Care
MSJ upholds a ‘home from home’ philosophy by creating a strong sense of community to have all girls on one site. There are six boarding houses where girls enjoy boarding on a full, weekly and flexi-basis. The facilities at MSJ are surprisingly extensive, including state-of-the-art sports facilities, fitness suite, indoor swimming pool, dance studio, juice bar, music centre, drama centre, and full catering service. To ensure the well-being of the girls, a nurse is available 24 hours a day at the school whereas a doctor pays regular visits to the school. Regular social activities with other leading schools such as Eton, Harrow and Radley are also available.
Malvern St James Extracurricular Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities as an integral part of their education, and more than 60 clubs, societies and enrichment opportunities are available at MSJ. The school has received representative honours in sports, debating, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Horse riding is one of the highlights with great success in the region and beyond. The Model United Nations gather students from different schools to discuss global issues, and enables them to hone their skill set in leadership, communication and logical thinking. The Young Enterprise Scheme is also very popular among students.