The Downs School's 
Nobel Prize Winners

Old Boys:

Alan Hodgkin

Pupil at The Downs School 
1923-27
Awarded Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine 1963
  • President of the Royal Society 1970-75
  • KBE 1972
  • Order of Merit 1973
  • Master of Trinty, Cambridge 1978-84

Fred Sanger

Pupil at The Downs School
1927-32
Awarded Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1958 and 1980
  • Companion of Honour 1981
  • Order of Merit 1986

Stunning new Science and Design and Technology Centre
Opened on 6th October 2007

Prof Chris BakerProfessor Chris Baker, lecturer at University College, London and the Schools Liaison Officer for the Worcester branch of the Institute of Engineering Technology was a very fitting guest of honor to open the new laboratories. In his speech he highlighted the fact that “children made the best scientists” because they had open enquiring minds with an optimism that hadn’t reduced with experience. Professor Baker reminded his audience that The Downs School had already produced two Nobel Prize winners for science and laid down the challenge that another potential winner could be sitting in front of him as a current pupil of the school.


Janet and Michael The new Science Centre was named after Jim Brown a teacher and then Headmaster at the Downs School who introduced science to the school and was instrumental in the development of the Nuffield Science Project nationally. 

Jim Brown's two children, Janet Pickard and Michael Brown (both Old Downians) were with us for the unveiling of the plaque.


Miss Bushby, Head of Science presents Jack with his prize.
The School held an egg-mobile ‘build and race’ project to mark the occasion and to demonstrate how much fun could be had with Design and Technology.






Many pupils and their dads got involved with what turned out to be a highly competitive and amusing event.




The Downs School has a long and impressive history with the teaching of science and engineering. These wonderful new facilities will help the staff and pupils continue this long standing tradition teaching and learning across the curriculum and alongside the school’s steam railway.

The Downs, Malvern College Prep, Brockhill Road, Colwall
MALVERN Worcestershire WR13 6EY
Tel: 01684 540277 Fax: 01684 540094
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