British boarding school to set up in Barbados in two years

The UK-based Malvern College is set to open a campus in Barbados in 2023, the learning institution has announced.

The international boarding and day school for students aged 13 to 18, said in a notice that it was delighted to announce a proposed opening of its eighth campus, the Malvern College Barbados, in September 2023.

Officials have not yet disclosed where the institution will be located or the cost of the proposed investment. The co-education institution also has campuses in China, Switzerland, Egypt and Hong Kong.

“Malvern College is one of England’s great independent schools and our new school in Barbados will embody our over-arching transformative approach to learning and education. With a firm focus on academic excellence and an enrichment programme that stimulates intellectual curiosity, our commitment across all our schools is to developing outstanding young people with the skills, resilience and initiative to flourish in a rapidly-changing global landscape,” the school said.

“The advantages and quality of life afforded by the Caribbean climate can only enhance the opportunities available through both the formal curricular and the diverse super curricular and co-curricular programmes. The formal curriculum will be based on the British curriculum with pupils studying for IGCSEs and international “A” Level examinations,” it explained.

In addition, the school will deliver a particular emphasis on the outdoors and sustainability, with a purpose-built Environmental Studies Centre offering subjects including Marine Biology and Sustainable Development.

However, Allan Walker, Director of Malvern College International, said the campus in Barbados will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

“We are delighted to be developing this very exciting project in Barbados, which we believe will be the first British boarding school in the Caribbean. We have a fantastic opportunity to provide unique and transformational educational opportunities at Malvern College Barbados which maximise the benefits of the Caribbean climate and natural assets,” said Walker.

Eamonn Mullally, Director of Education, said: “Malvern College Barbados will be committed to developing a programme of education for sustainable development and enhancing clean, green technologies which minimise our carbon footprint whilst working with our exquisite natural environment to deliver a bespoke educational experience which, it is hoped, will foster a life-long commitment to caring for the world around us.”

Additionally, programmes of study and co-curricular activities will provide ample opportunity to study land-based ecosystems in an island environment, utilising trips and expeditions to compare these with the wider world.

Officials said Malvern College Barbados was currently seeking expressions of interest from prospective parents as it continues to work towards finalising plans for a 2023 opening.

The statement said, “The campus will be developed in sympathy with the local area with an emphasis on sustainability and an aspiration to achieve a carbon neutral footprint.”

Peter Boocock, Founding Director, said he believed that the new school “will bring a lot” to the country and the region.

“Malvern College Barbados will offer us an international education right on our doorstep.  As a father of four, I am thrilled at the prospect of a new and exceptional education option becoming available closer to home, which brings together the heritage, reputation and exceptional standards offered by Malvern College and the wonderful advantages of a Barbados and Caribbean lifestyle. I believe Malvern College Barbados will become an important building block for our region,” said Boocock.

Barbados is no stranger to offshore learning institutions, being home to several offshore medical schools over the years.

The latest to be welcomed in Barbados was Ross University in late 2018, with students enrolling by January of 2019.
(MM)