The Downs School Competitors

Shrewsbury School was founded by Edward VI by Royal Charter in 1552, and it was identified as one of the ‘Great’ public schools by the Clarendon Commission 1868. 2024 was a remarkable year for Shrewsbury pupils, with 87% progressing to their first-choice universities and 19 pupils accepted into North American universities, including two at Harvard. In the past five years, Salopians have secured over 50 Oxbridge offers. Our pupils received a further 10 offers in 2024 and Shrewsbury was named among the top 80 UK institutions for Oxford and Cambridge progression by The Spectator. In typical Salopian style, our best-known alumni are famous for their independence of mind and spirit: Charles Darwin; Sir Philip Sidney; Sir Michael Palin; Lord Martin Rees (Astronomer Royal); Lord Heseltine; the founders of Private Eye magazine, Richard Ingrams, Willie Rushton and Paul Foot; mountaineer Sandy Irvine. The School sits on a stunning 110-acre campus perched above the banks of the River Severn, overlooking the historic market town of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Our school library contains the oldest copy of the rules of football, dating from 1856, when Salopians played a central role in codifying the game. The RSSH (Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt) has the distinction of being the oldest cross-country club in the world and is officially recognised as a World Athletics Heritage site. 11 professional cricketers in 11 years have progressed from the school, including James Taylor, Joe Leach, Ed Barnard and Issy Wong. The Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC) was founded in 1866 and the School is nationally recognised as one of the leading rowing schools in the country and boasts an impressive 14 Henley Royal Regatta wins to its name. If you are interested in an education at Shrewsbury for your child, please contact the Admissions Office - admissions@shrewsbury.org.uk

Malvern College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13-18. Founded in 1865, Malvern is set in a beautiful 250-acre campus in the heart of England; an inspiring, supportive and friendly environment in which to educate children.

Wycliffe promotes a pioneering spirit and encourage individuals to flourish and embrace their futures as global citizens Wycliffe College is the perfect blend of place and culture where pupils develop and flourish from the Nursery Class through to Year 13 with options for day, flexi and full boarding. Our diverse community, exceptional facilities and individualised learning approach allow all our pupils to thrive while we pride ourselves on offering excellent pastoral care so each and every individual is supported and cared for. We combine academic learning with a wide range of extra-curricular activities; encouraging every child to try something new and reach their full potential. We inspire and educate every individual – this is not just an acceptance of difference, but an encouragement to be individual. Wycliffe has long been associated with outstanding pastoral care and in recent years has seen its academic reputation rocket with a new focus on securing high achievement while maintaining that pastoral excellence. Pupil progress is outstanding with the school appearing in the top 2% for A Levels and top 10% for GCSEs in the University of Durham’s value-added analysis for three consecutive years. The school does not set artificially high entry criteria and is largely non-selective. The school has a progressive outlook, values traditions and yet embraces new ideas where they are shown to support children’s development. ICT facilities are excellent and co-curricular opportunities abound. With excellent sports facilities and superb coaching, the school punches well above its own weight in major sports and has held one or more national squash championship titles for several years. Wycliffe is set on a beautiful greenfield site on the edge of the Cotswolds, yet has a main line railway station a few minutes’ walk away and the M5 five minutes by car.