MALVERN College has again expanded its family of schools, by setting up a formal association with one of its key feeder prep schools.

Abberley Hall school will join the Malvern College family - after the College agreed to make a 'significant investment' to it.

However, Abberley Hall, a co-ed boarding school, will continue to operate as a separate charity, retaining its own board of governors, headmaster and senior management team.

Headmasters of both schools said they believe this will put them in a stronger position to deal with the demands of a rapidly changing market sector.

"The move means there are now eight schools in the Malvern College family; including the Downs prep school in Colwall and five sister schools in China, Hong Kong and Egypt, catering for 3,000 pupils overall.

Malvern College head Keith Metcalfe said: “This is an exciting step. The governing bodies of both our schools recognise that by sharing resources, best practice and expertise, overheads can be reduced and efficiency improved, but more importantly, we can enrich our academic provision.

"It is very important that senior schools and prep schools work collaboratively in what are undoubtedly challenging times. Working together helps to secure a bright future for independent education as a whole.”

Under the new arrangement, Abberley will continue to operate as a separate charity, retaining its own board of governors, headmaster and senior management team, and will continue to send pupils to top senior schools.

“Abberley Hall is a thriving school with its own unique character.

"We want to help preserve that. By joining forces we will be better able to deal with political and economic uncertainty – factors which are beyond our control.”

He added that Malvern’s growing family of schools – both here and abroad – is developing its reputation for providing world-class education and pastoral care, centred around the school’s UK base.

Head Will Lockett said: “I am confident that joining the Malvern College family of schools will secure a stronger, sustainable and bright future for our school and our community.”

About 10 per cent of the Malvern school's foundation-year pupils currently come from Abberley Hall.