| Motto | Gaudeamus |
|---|---|
| Established | 1560 |
| Closed | - |
| Type | Foundation school |
| Headteacher | Jeannette Walker |
| Specialism | Arts |
| Location | Welsh Row Nantwich Cheshire CW5 5HD England |
| Local authority | Cheshire East |
| DfE URN | 111419 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1324[1] |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Former name | Nantwich and Acton Grammar School |
| Website | Malbank School |
Malbank School is a comprehensive secondary school and sixth form in Nantwich, Cheshire with pupils of both sexes aged from 11 to 18.
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It is situated in the west of Nantwich, close to the boundary with Henhull, on the A534 and the Shropshire Union Canal.
The Sixth Form, which has its own building within the school, attracts applicants mainly from Crewe and Nantwich but also has students from the surrounding Cheshire area. Students will normally take three to four A-levels, occasionally two, and receive the opportunity to undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), but there are also limited BTEC courses which are intended be taken with certain A-level choices. Further information can be found in the college prospectus.
Malbank School originates in three schools. The oldest is the original Nantwich Grammar School, first recorded in 1572, but believed to have been founded in around 1560.[2][3] The original schoolhouse was in the churchyard of St Mary's Church. In 1860 the school amalgamated with the Blue Cap Charity School, which was founded in around 1700, to form the new Nantwich Grammar School, and moved to 108 Welsh Row, where the former schoolhouse and headmaster's house still stands.[2] In 1885, it combined with Acton Grammar School, becoming Nantwich and Acton Grammar School or NAGS. It moved to its present site in 1921.[4] The horses on the school coat of arms were added purely because of the NAGS acronym.
In 1960, the school celebrated its 400th anniversary, with the Duchess of Gloucester attending the school prize-giving on 18 November 1960. On the occasion, the Nantwich Guardian reported that the "school of ancient history had turned into one of the most up-to-date in the County, catering for all the widely varying needs of individual children."[5]
Nantwich and Acton Grammar School became a comprehensive school in 1977. The name later changed to Malbank School and Sixth Form College. The Nantwich and Acton symbol still remains in the logo of the two horses' heads, an emblem found on many important school objects.
In 2010, the school celebrated its 450th anniversary with a full school ceremony and visit from the Duke of Gloucester on 26 April 2010.[6]