Page 20 - The Badger - Issue 8

THE BADGER Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs
Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs Malvern: Foundations That Still Inspire
As The Downs Malvern marks its 125th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the pioneering achievements of the first five Headmasters who have shaped its story across generations. From bold educational pioneers to steady wartime leaders, each has left a distinctive mark.
This article draws exclusively from The First Five, a book published in 1988 by former Headmaster Jim Brown. Fascinating, poignant and insightful, the book isn’t just a historical record, but a tangible link to the foundations of many aspects of school life that continue to thrive.
What follows is not a comprehensive history of the school, but a reflection on the first five Headmasters of The Downs, whose legacy echoes through our classrooms, grounds, and traditions.
Herbert Jones (1900-1920)
Founding Headmaster
Herbert Jones and his wife Ethel arrived in Colwall at the turn of the century, having crystallised their dream of founding their own Preparatory school from scratch, rather than improving or maintaining an existing establishment. The Downs opened in 1900 with just four pupils, all of them under ten years old.
Jones quickly forged a reputation for both intellectual seriousness and pastoral care. He saw education as a moral and social duty, and under his watch, The Downs was shaped as a place where curiosity, independent thinking and care for others were actively nurtured. He also taught Latin and was known for his unrelenting
energy, often running down the corridors after lessons. His wife, Ethel, was a strong influence too, overseeing routines and contributing significantly to the school’s foundational culture.
Geoffrey Hoyland (1920-1940)
The Visionary Reformer
Following Jones’s retirement, the school entered a new era under the charismatic Geoffrey Hoyland. He married Dorothea Cadbury, whose support helped fund a series of bold developments, including the White House, expanded dormitories, the outdoor swimming pool and the purchase of nearby woodland, where Forest School takes place today.
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