Welcome to Downsend School
Downsend is an innovative and forward-thinking independent school with a vision. A vision to inspire pupils to embrace the future, to create incredible people who make change in a rapidly evolving world.
From Nursery to Sixth Form, we prepare our young people for the future with a creative and problem-solving approach. We think big, we celebrate innovation and we never hold back.
It is an exciting time to be a Downsendian as our Sixth Form opens in September 2025. Downsend Sixth will complete the journey for pupils from the ages of 6 months to 18 and marks an exceptional moment in our history.
A new era for Downsend
Downsend Sixth launches September 2025! Our brand new, purpose-designed, Sixth Form Centre will offer the very best of both worlds. Our new campus will offer young people the perfect environment for both academic success and personal growth.
Our Awards.
Highly Commended
FACILITIES & LOCATION
Excellent learning locations.
Innovative modern spaces bring specialist teaching to life at the Main School, while Little Downsend offers a home from home for our littlest children, with outstanding outdoor spaces for exploring and learning.
Accreditations
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Our Bee Barrel, a fantastic collaboration between Junior and Senior School students, is now on display at the Hampton Court Garden Festival!
Designed by Evelyn H (Y6) and Daisy M (Y10), the project saw Eco Club members create mood boards, plant pollinator-friendly flowers, and make bee houses from tin cans. Junior students, with help from Mr Gardener and Mrs Corr, added handmade clay bees. Mrs Ludlam and her son Oscar assembled the final piece for the Schools’ Zone.
The festival runs until Sunday—don’t miss it if you can visit!
#downsendschool #juniorschool #seniorschool #hamptoncourt #hamptoncourtpalace #gardenfestival #creativethinking #futureskills
Our D6 Electives programme is designed in line with the Downsend Future Skills vision - to give students in the Sixth Form the opportunity to broaden their knowledge , challenge themselves, and get ahead by gaining additional UCAS points. We’ll be offering:
💡Critical Thinking A/S Level
📒Extended Project Qualification
🖥️International Certificate for Digital Literacy
🏅Level 3 Sports Leadership
🌱Level 3 Sustainability
And at the end of the elective programme, students share their work with the incoming Year 12, in the Downsend Sixth Incredible Expo, a chance to inspire, mentor and build their all important public speaking skills.
Visit our link in bio to find out more.
#DownsendSixth #FutureSkills #FutureReady #D6Core #Leadership #Innovation #Creativity #SixthForm #StudentSuccess #HolisticEducation #SixthReady#D6Electives #CriticalThinking #EPQ #ICDL #SportsLeaders #sustainability #ucas
We’ve been shortlisted!
We’re thrilled to announce that Downsend School has been shortlisted for the Independent Schools of the Year (ISOTY) Award in the Performing Arts category!
This recognition reflects the strength of our Performing Arts provision, curriculum, teaching and exceptional extracurricular offering – all brought to life in our flagship Creative Arts Centre, now the buzzing hub of school life.
From centre-stage performances to behind-the-scenes creativity, the arts are truly at the heart of what we do – and we couldn’t be prouder.
#downsendschool #surreyschools #downsend
With their GCSE exams over, our Year 11 students are now enjoying an extremely well-deserved long summer break! We caught up with some of them before they left, to ask what advice, looking back, they would give to their Year 7 selves…
#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #futureready #gcse25
Real skills. Real Impact. Real Adventure.
That’s what we had in mind when we designed our D6 Global Impact Project - a life-changing experience that will take you further than you ever thought possible.
In part 1, you’ll sail the Solent - learning to lead, to work as a team, to be resilient in the face of challenge. You’ll learn how to sail, but you’ll also learn about yourself.
In part 2, we head to Borneo, for an adventure of a lifetime. As founding members, you plan and project manage it - deciding how you want to have the greatest impact.
It’s a journey to learn, to grow, and to remember - and is also fully funded for those who join us in Sept 25 and Sept 26.
Visit our link in bio to book a Campus Tour or join our Open Evening.
#DownsendSixth #FutureSkills #FutureReady #D6Core #Leadership #Innovation #Creativity #SixthForm #StudentSuccess #HolisticEducation #SixthReady #GlobalImpactProject
What a fantastic day of fun, teamwork, and sportsmanship!
We loved welcoming families from our Little Downsend schools last week for a fun-filled day of races, relays, jumps, and teamwork all in support of their houses: Headley, Wisley, Ranmore, and Norbury!
Huge thanks to our amazing Year 6 helpers and well done to all the children for showing such brilliant energy and team spirit!
#downsendschool #littledownsend #sportsday #wearecognita #community
Recently our Year 10 Geography students had the incredible opportunity to hear from Anja Nielsen. With experience at the UN, UNICEF, and Save the Children, Anja spoke about protecting schools from natural disasters and the global risks students face.
It was a powerful session connecting GCSE theory to real world impact and we’re proud to be working with Anja on Downsend’s own sustainability journey.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #futureskills #GeographyInAction #RealWorldLearning #Sustainability #StudentVoice #FutureReady #DownsendLife
New friendships, big smiles, and plenty of fun!
This week, our Year 2 pupils from Little Downsend and Year 5 pupils from Downsend School came together for a joyful buddy event.
It all began with handwritten letters from Year 2, lovingly replied to with thoughtful cards from their Year 5 buddies. The excitement reached a high as they finally met in person at Downsend School!
From a fun scavenger hunt around the junior school to classic playground games and colourful chalk art, the afternoon was filled with laughter, teamwork, and meaningful connections.
Teamwork, kindness, and lots of laughter — what a brilliant afternoon! Year 2 can’t wait to reunite with their buddies in September!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #privateschool #futureskills #newbeginnings #newfriendships
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