Boarding and Day School Models

Malvern College provides families with flexible boarding and day school options to suit your family.

At Malvern College, we offer a flexible range of boarding and day school options to suit the needs of modern family life—whether you’re looking for a full-time boarding experience or a day place with occasional overnight stays. 

As one of the leading independent secondary schools in the UK, Malvern combines academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. While often referred to as a private secondary school, our preferred designation is “independent school”—a term that reflects our long-standing tradition of academic and operational autonomy. 

Whether boarding or day, every pupil is fully integrated into house life, which helps to create a thriving, inclusive, and supportive community. 

Our pupils benefit from a strong House system, with 11 boarding houses that act as vibrant communities. Each House is led by a dedicated Housemistress or Housemaster (Housem), supported by a Deputy Housem, House Assistants, and each pupil’s personal Tutor. This structure ensures exceptional pastoral care and a true “home away from home” for all pupils.

More information about our boarding and day options:

Full Boarding
  • Malvern College is proud of its strong full boarding tradition, making it a top choice among sixth form boarding schools in the UK, with the majority of pupils boarding.
  • Weekends are vibrant and full of activities, creating a busy and enriching environment. 
  • While we encourage pupils to remain in school during term time, we understand that occasional leave requests may arise and aim to support families where possible. 
Day-Boarding
  • Our day-boarding model allows pupils to board up to three nights per week, with the flexibility to book additional nights at a reduced rate. 
  • Pupils can access the House from 7.30am until 9.30pm, benefiting from the extended day, meals, prep time, and social opportunities. 
  • Day boarders are fully part of their House and take part in all aspects of College life. 
Day Pupils at Malvern College
  • Malvern College is also one of the region’s most respected independent day schools, offering an exceptional education within the nurturing framework of our House system. 
  • Our day pupils enjoy the same level of support, access to facilities, and opportunities as our boarders. 
  • They benefit from an extended school day (7.30am to 9.30pm), making it easy to take part in co-curricular activities, evening prep, and social time with their peers. 
  • The day fee includes 15 nights of boarding per academic year, with additional nights available to book at a nightly rate.  
  • For families seeking day schools in the West Midlands with flexible wraparound care, Malvern College offers a premium, personalised experience. 

While Malvern is often referred to as a private day school, it’s important to note that we are more accurately classified as an independent school—a distinction that reflects our educational ethos and charitable governance. Nonetheless, for those familiar with the term “private day schools,” Malvern’s reputation for excellence stands among the best in the country. 

House Allocation
  • Houses are confirmed in the summer term prior to joining. 
  • We aim to maintain a healthy cultural balance across Houses and consider parental preferences where possible. 
  • Families are asked to list a minimum of three preferred Houses. While we cannot guarantee first choice, preferences are taken into account alongside space and pupil mix. 
  • Siblings are usually placed in the same House if desired. 
  • All Houses deliver an outstanding standard of pastoral care—many pupils consider their House a second family and take great pride in their House identity. 

As one of the leading independent secondary schools in the West Midlands, Malvern College provides an environment where every pupil—day or boarding—can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Whether you’re based nearby and seeking a top-tier private day school, or you’re looking for a full boarding experience, Malvern offers a truly holistic education that prepares young people for life.