Not many schools in the world could boast that they provide a home for the oldest privately owned light railway in the world. The spirit of the railway has never been so strong, with over eighteen boys and girls and up to ten adults each week actively involved in its continued development.  Not many nine year old children can say they have helped lay a train track, understood the concept of steam power and driven a steam train. Our trains have supplemented our Early Years transport topic work; steam has been the theme for national science week and our artists have been inspired to produce a Railway Calendar with railway inspired paintings, drawings and even a cross stitch as illustrations. Once again we are enjoying the success of our scholars. A very high number of pupils have already gained awards to Malvern College in sport, art and drama. The credit for this achievement is entirely down to the Year 8 pupils who have accepted the merger, taken every opportunity available to them and worked incredibly hard. We now await the results of our musicians and the academic candidates later this month. The challenge to build a new future for our school has been met and we are fully integrated as one; The Downs, Malvern College Prep School.  Both former schools deserved a chance in this highly competitive world and with better financial security and therefore a more guaranteed future, prospective pupils can continue to experience what is uniquely ours and a lot more on the old Downs School site. Watch this space - aedificandum est.

Alastair S Cook

The Headmaster