Age range. 3–13.
Number of pupils. 165. Boys 86, girls 79.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Full boarding: £8,660–£10,430; Flexi-boarding: £50 per night; Day fee: Year 3 £4,920, Year 4 £5,800, Years 5 and 6 £6,990, Years 7 and 8 £7,580. Pre-Prep (ages 3–7): £2,940–£4,920. Fees are payable termly in advance.
The Elms is run as a charitable, non-profit making company with a Board of Governors. Children are taken in the Main School from the age of rising 8 and there is a Montessori and Pre-Preparatory Department for 3–7 year olds.
The Elms is a leading, independent, co-educational preparatory school for children aged between 3 and 13. Welcoming day pupils, flexi-boarders and full-boarders, we provide a special place of children to enjoy their education while receiving exceptional pastoral care and every opportunity to flourish. The strong values and ethos are evident throughout all areas of school life. The Elms seeks to find each child’s talents by giving all children the freedom, space and endless opportunities to discover and develop themselves while growing in confidence. We recognise that all children are unique and hugely special and we provide a safe and secure environment for all children to be stretched to their potential.
‘I can honestly say that what you have done for my daughter has been outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. What has been returned to me at the end of the process is a daughter who is confident, articulate, sports mad, and has an appetite for learning and is above all happy with herself and others. I couldn’t have made a better choice…’ A Testimonial from the Parent of a Year 8 Leaver
The Elms is situated in stunning countryside, surrounded by the Malvern Hills. There is a quiet ambition that emanates throughout the school and we enjoy celebrating the success of our children while embracing positive failure in a secure and nurturing environment. The curriculum is rich and diverse and delivered by our outstanding and dedicated staff. The house system and extensive extracurricular programme provides vast opportunities in all of areas of school life. All children have the opportunity to care for our animals on the farm and they also have the chance to take riding lessons.
We are very lucky to have such fantastic facilities in all forums. Our children enjoy intensive sport sessions every day from our highly qualified staff. The sessions take place on the floodlit astroturf, in our recently refurbished indoor swimming pool and on the professionally prepared cricket, rugby and football pitches.
Bursaries are available on entry. Our Year 8 leavers go on to a variety of leading senior schools that we ensure are carefully chosen for their individual needs, and many achieve scholarships in a wide variety of areas.
At The Elms we pride ourselves on the strong community and family feel of the school. The relationship between staff and children is truly distinctive and allows children to flourish and have belief in themselves. While recognising the absolute importance of academic achievement, we educate and nurture the whole child to ensure they are fully ready for their next school and life beyond.
Charitable status. The Elms (Colwall) Limited is a Registered Charity, number 527252. It exists to provide education for boys and girls.