Head's Welcome

"Malvern St James Girls' School is a truly exceptional place for living and learning, inspired by the talents and energy of its girls and staff. I am proud to be surrounded by girls with such poise. From the youngest to the oldest, they are interested and engaged with the world around them, and able to hold their own socially and intellectually.

We encourage our girls to be ambitious, to follow their passions and to be confident: and to appreciate the value of hard work and determination. We want to show girls the full spectrum of interests that contribute to a balanced and happy life, and demonstrate the joy of finding something they love and pursuing it.

In an age of fierce job competition, the careers landscape evolving like never before, and still a minority of women in leadership roles, young women can be forgiven for feeling unconfident or boxed-in about what they do next. At Malvern St James, we set out to untangle all of this. With superb value-added attainment, outstanding public examination results and a focus on giving our girls the soft skills they will need at university and in the work place, we are here to help them navigate their way with a support network of superb teaching and House staff, and first-class pastoral care.

Malvern St James is friendly, unstuffy, quirky: a school comfortable in its own skin.

We give our girls the freedom to find themselves. That’s why they are confident, capable and the kind of people you want on your team.

Choosing a school that’s right for your daughter is an important decision. Please do come and visit, and we’ll show you what we’re all about."

Mrs Olivera Raraty, Headmistress 

Mrs Olivera Raraty has announced her retirement at the end of 2023. We are delighted to announce that Dr Gareth Lloyd will commence as the new Head of MSJ from January 1^st 2024.

MSJ will be Dr Lloyd’s fifth headship in schools in England, Wales and China. With a track record in achieving excellent academic standards, as well as significant growth and innovation, Dr Lloyd has demonstrated to governors his capacity and vision to manage MSJ with inspiration and ambition.  He has a deep commitment to high quality, all-round education with each individual student’s best interests at the very heart of his work.

Described by Muddy Stilettos Schools Guide as “charming, impressive, approachable and inspiring – just what you need in a Head”, Dr Lloyd was educated at the universities of Exeter, Cambridge, London, Reading, Sheffield and Trinity Laban, in a range of academic disciplines including Music, Modern Foreign Languages, School Management and Philosophy.

“From my very first discussion about the possibility of leading Malvern St James, to the final interview and meeting governors, staff and especially the girls, I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to be joining the school. It is both an immense privilege and great responsibility to assume this headship, not least as the first male Head in the school’s history. I am committed to a new era of growth, building on MSJ’s impressive heritage as one of the UK’s leading girls’ schools and its reputation for academic breadth and rigour, enrichment, and pastoral care.”Dr Lloyd is a passionate musician, playing piano and violin, singing and composing. His doctoral submission ‘Requiem for the Fallen of 9/11’ is due to be premiered in New York on the 25th anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy. He is an equally passionate sportsman, having played numerous sports at a high level, including national representation in ultra-marathons, notching up 150 competitive marathon and ultra-marathon runs.  He continues to be a life-long learner and has been a speaker on education at symposiums around the world.