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
Follow Downsend on Social Media
Our Year 2 pupils had an amazing day at Barnes Wetlands! From balancing on wobbly bridges during the Wild Walk to discovering pond creatures and watching otters being fed, it was a day full of adventure, curiosity, and hands-on learning.
#littledownsend #downsendschool #prepschool #juniorschool #surreyschools #barnes #london #wildlife
Join us for our Open Morning – Saturday 7 June.
Come and see Downsend in action. Meet our brilliant students, hear from our new Executive Head and leadership team, and get a feel for what makes our school such a vibrant, forward-thinking place to learn.
Whether you’re exploring options for Year 3, Year 7 or Downsend Sixth, this is a chance to see how we support every young person to thrive - and what future-ready really means at Downsend.
You’ll meet:
Bex Tear, Executive Head of Downsend
Sally Johnston, Head of Junior School
Pete Nathan, Head of Senior School
And from the Downsend Sixth team:
Marc Broughton, Head of Downsend Sixth
Emily Cooper, Deputy Head of Downsend Sixth
Charlotte Hopkins, Head of Futures
Tap the link in our bio to reserve your place – we look forward to welcoming you.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform #futureready #boxhill #surrey #surreyschools #privateschool
Our Year 6 student and active Downsend Eco Committee member, Matilda, has been a dedicated volunteer with the Walton Toad Patrol for the past two years.
Each night during the breeding season (which began in February), this local group helps toads, frogs, and newts safely cross Walton Street to reach their pond. This year alone, they rescued 3,010 toads, 1,820 frogs, and 56 newts—with only 170 casualties recorded.
Matilda also encourages others to make their gardens amphibian-friendly by adding log piles, ponds, and dense vegetation. She says, “If you have pets, keep them indoors at night to protect the toads. In our garden, we have a stumpery, pond, long grass, and a dead hedge—all very toad and frog friendly!”
What a fantastic way to care for local wildlife—well done, Matilda!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #futureskills #waltononthehill #toadpatrol #surreywildlife @surreywildlifetrust #ecofriendly #helpingwildlife
From curriculum planning to building design, it`s all coming together. And it starts here, with the passionate team driving the Downsend Sixth vision forward.
We thought these photos perfectly capture the vibe from this week’s meeting between our Executive Head, Head of Sixth, and senior leadership team. There were plenty of smiles around the table, but every one of them driven by a shared sense of purpose and excitement for what’s ahead at our brand new sixth form in Leatherhead.
Want to see the vision for yourself? Join us for our Open Morning on Saturday 7 June to find out more about Downsend Sixth and meet the team behind it.
Still undecided about September 2025? There’s still time to register your interest. We’d love to talk to you about what Downsend Sixth could offer your future.
Stay tuned - this is only the beginning.
#dowsnendschool #wearecognita #downsendsixth #CampusIntheMaking #FutureAtDownsendSixth #BehindTheScenes
Last week, our Executive Head Ian Thorpe attended the annual Surrey Awards 2025, where Downsend was shortlisted in the Best School/College category alongside Epsom College, St George’s, and others. The event, held at G Live in Guildford, brought together businesses and celebrities from across the county.
We’re proud to announce that Downsend was named runner-up, receiving the Highly Commended Award. This recognition highlights our Future Skills approach, holistic education, and strong academic provision as key contributors to our success. Thank you @surreyawards
#downsendschool #wearecognita #surreyschools #surreyawards #boxhill #epsom #futureskills #awards
A couple of weeks ago, on VE Day, a group of our Senior School students visited a care home in Leatherhead to participate in a meaningful historical project. They had the unique opportunity to interview residents about their experiences during the war and on VE Day.
This was a fantastic chance for students to engage with living history, hearing firsthand accounts that brought the past vividly to life. It also allowed them to connect with and contribute to our wider local community.
Students prepared their own questions and conducted thoughtful interviews, adapting as conversations naturally evolved, whether exploring unexpected stories or delving deeper into particular memories shared by the residents. One resident shared personal photos and books, including a picture of her primary school in Chessington and a street party in Caterham.
It was a powerful day of empathy, collaboration, and learning—an opportunity to uncover and honour personal stories from 80 years ago.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #veday25 @careukcarehomes #communityfìrst #futureskills #seniorschool #surreyschools #chessington #caterham #ashtead
Each term, we’re delighted to open the Junior School classrooms to our current parents and family members, offering a chance to explore the latest work of our young learners.
The children take great pride in showcasing their hard work, and from a parent`s perspective, it’s a wonderful glimpse into their everyday life at school.
We often wish you could be a fly on the wall to witness all the moments that make up a typical day at Downsend — focused lessons, lively corridor chats, energetic playground games, and the warm, polite greetings from even the youngest members of our vibrant community.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #communityfirst #juniorschool #surreyschools #openclassrooms
Join us for our Open Morning – Saturday 7 June.
Come and see Downsend in action. Meet our brilliant students, hear from our new Executive Head and leadership team, and get a feel for what makes our school such a vibrant, forward-thinking place to learn.
Whether you’re exploring options for Year 3, Year 7 or Downsend Sixth, this is a chance to see how we support every young person to thrive - and what future-ready really means at Downsend.
You’ll meet:
Bex Tear, Executive Head of Downsend
Sally Johnston, Head of Junior School
Pete Nathan, Head of Senior School
And from the Downsend Sixth team:
Marc Broughton, Head of Downsend Sixth
Emily Cooper, Deputy Head of Downsend Sixth
Charlotte Hopkins, Head of Futures
Tap the link in our bio to reserve your place – we look forward to welcoming you.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform #futureready #boxhill #surrey #surreyschools #privateschool
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