Will Raby-Smith MA

From School House to the operating theatre, Will Raby-Smith’s journey is an inspiring example of how intellectual curiosity, determination and a desire to make a difference can shape a career.

A full boarder at Malvern College from 2010 to 2015, having joined from Beaudesert Park School, Will made the most of every opportunity available to him. Academically, he excelled, achieving an impressive 44 out of 45 in the International Baccalaureate, including Higher Level Chemistry and Biology. His love of science flourished in the College’s Science Centre, where his interest in understanding the human body helped shape his ambition to pursue a career in medicine.

Yet Will’s Malvern experience extended well beyond the classroom. A passionate musician, he played trumpet and guitar, participating in bands and orchestras, and led School House in House Music during his Upper Sixth. He also contributed to Wheeler-Bennett, embracing the breadth of opportunities that helped shape him as a Malvernian.

Will went on to study Medicine at the University of Cambridge, where he completed a degree in Neuroscience after three years before progressing to his medical degree. During his clinical placements, he discovered a particular interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery, a speciality encompassing conditions affecting the face, mouth, jaw and neck. Recognising that this field requires expertise in both medicine and dentistry, he took on another challenge, completing a three-year dentistry degree at King’s College London.

Today, Will is a Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Northwick Park Hospital, London. His work brings him into contact with a wide range of complex cases, including facial trauma, head and neck cancer and dental abscesses. His particular interest in cleft surgery began at medical school, where he was struck by the profound impact that cleft lip and palate can have on speech, eating, hearing, appearance and psychological wellbeing.

This interest has developed into a commitment to international charitable work. Through CLEFT Bridging the Gap, Will supports initiatives in countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt and Iran. The charity aims to build sustainable local expertise by training healthcare professionals not only in surgery, but also in speech and language therapy and the wider psychological support patients may need.

Will has also remained closely connected to Malvern. He has returned to speak to pupils about applying for medicine and dentistry, sharing his experiences and leading practical workshops in suturing and dental fillings. While at Cambridge, he also welcomed prospective Malvernians for personal tours of the University.

Will embodies what it means to be a Malvern role model: combining academic ambition with curiosity, practical skill and compassion. His journey demonstrates that success is not simply about the qualifications achieved, but how knowledge and expertise can be used to improve lives. For current pupils considering their own futures, his example is a powerful reminder of where determination, openness to opportunity and a commitment to others can lead.