Malcolm enrolled as a music student to continue his lessons in playing the piano and was tutored by Mr Peters. Before Malcolm had arrived at Worksop, his dedication to practice was scant therefore his ability did not improve. He floudered on until, at a lesson in 1956, he started a laboured demonstration of his progress with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata to the master who immediately, and angrily said, "I take it that you have not been practising". Malcolm was not enjoying the lessons and replied rather rudely and somewhat out of character, "You can take it how you like". He was thrown out on the spot and so ended his music career.

However, he did make one more performance when being co-opted to play in an inter-house music competition and performed on the recorder. His contribution rather detracted from everyone else as he went out of tune.

The art master was Mr G Wilson, known as 'Toady' possibly because of his stature and the flamboyant waistcoats that he wore. Malcolm did attend art classes but never demonstrated any significant talent apart from an interpretation of the crucifixion in the style of Dahli.

A contemporary of Malcolm was Alan Clark who did have natural talent but also an erratic personality. He had some of his work on display at a school exhibition which was on show to visiting parents. Apparently, an American offered to buy one of Alan's paintings for £50 to which Alan declined saying that if it was worth that much to the buyer it was worth more to himself. Alan became art master at Bryanston School in Dorset and Malcolm did keep in touch with him for a few years.