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The Elms School
  • The Elms School
    Colwall
    Malvern
    Worcestershire
    WR13 6EF
  • Head: Edward Lyddon
  • T 01684 540344
  • F 01684 541174
  • E office@elmsschool.co.uk
  • W www.elmsschool.co.uk
  • An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 13.
  • Boarding: Yes
  • Local authority: Herefordshire
  • Pupils: 173
  • Religion: Church of England
  • Fees: Day £9,195 - £23,700; Boarding £27,090 - £32,625 pa (last updated on 23/05/2024)
  • Open days: September
  • Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review

What says..

A school with progressive leadership, ambitious staff, eager minded children and a generous helping of fresh air. The school’s unique selling point is its farm, right at the heart of the site and fully integrated into daily life. The farm ‘gets children outside and involved’. Arrive early and you can muck out, bring the ponies in from the fields, collect eggs and feed the animals, all before 8am. No apologies for…

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What the school says...

An idyllic, rural, independent prep school for 3-13 year olds at the foot of the Malvern Hills, offering day, flexi and full boarding options that provides a truly inspirational start in life.

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School associations

Montessori school

Sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Shooting

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headteacher

Since April 2023, Edward Lyddon, previously deputy head (pastoral) at Sandroyd School in Wiltshire, where he was also designated safeguarding lead and taught geography and coached rugby. Prior to that, he was head of boarding at Windlesham House School. He and his wife Hattie have three children, the youngest a pupil at The Elms, and two dogs. A committed rugby fan, he is learning fire pit cooking the Argentinian way and loves the outdoors. He recently completed the Three Peaks Challenge.

Entrance

Non-selective. No tests on entry, but previous school reports are requested. The early years Montessori department currently caters for rising 3s and above. Plans to merge with nearby prep, The Downs Malvern, were dropped in 2022 at The Elms School’s request.

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Special Education Needs

The school intentionally includes a wide ability range including SEN and gifted children who receive support, either individually, or within the usual teaching environment, according to individual requirements.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder
Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP)
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Y
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment

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