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.

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Downsend is future focused in a rapidly evolving world.

From Nursery through to Downsend Sixth, day to day life at Downsend is fast-paced, inspiring and immersive. We bring learning to life, providing opportunities for growth at every age.

We're passionate about providing the best, most innovative experience possible. Find out more about our Future Skills Vision below:

Future Skills Vision

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.

Find out more

Head's Welcome

Meet the Head.

Described by the Good Schools Guide as ‘refreshingly candid, with a knack for getting what he wants’, Ian Thorpe has been Head at Downsend for 10 years. A forward-thinking Head, Ian has been responsible for significant change at Downsend.

His can-do attitude, relentless energy and good humour, coupled with an impressive track record from Chinthurst, City of London Freemen's and Caterham School, mean that Downsend benefits from the best of both worlds – the ability to choose the best of the sector, whilst also innovating to do things differently.

From September 2025

Meet the Incoming Head.

As one door closes another opens, and we are delighted to welcome Mrs Rebecca Tear as the incoming Executive Head of Downsend School. Joining us in September 2025, Mrs Tear is an experienced and inspiring leader, with a wealth of expertise. Known for her innovative and forward-thinking approach, Bex has guided academic success, developed broad and engaging curricula, and built strong relationships with school communities.

With her energy, passion for life-long learning and focus on preparing pupils for the future, Mrs Tear is ready to lead Downsend into an exciting new chapter, perfectly aligned with our Future Skills vision.

Our Awards.

ISA Awards 2024: 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year'

Shortlisted

ISA Awards 2024 for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years

Winner

Microsoft Showcase Schools Incubator Pathway

Muddy Stilettos 2022 Awards for Most Creative Learning Through Play:

Highly Commended

Common Sense Media School: 2021-2023

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award: July 2022

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.

Facilities and Locations

Downsend Sixth

Our cutting-edge Creative Arts Centre opened in June 2022.

Little Downsend Ashtead

Little Downsend Epsom

Little Downsend Leatherhead

Downsend Main Campus

Passionate and inspiring leadership, down to earth, fantastic facilities and a modern, forward-thinking approach.

– A Downsend Parent

Our Schools

Little Downsend Ashtead (0 - 4 years)

Little Downsend Ashtead is a Nursery and Pre-School for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

A short walk from Ashtead Village, with its independent shops and cafes, Little Downsend Ashtead is perfectly located for new parents looking for a nursery within walking distance that has a quiet, welcoming presence.

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Little Downsend Epsom (2-7 years)

Little Downsend Epsom is a Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2 years to 7 years.

Occupying a beautiful piece of land with a grassy field, garden and play areas, both children's and parent's needs are catered for in quiet surroundings.

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Little Downsend Leatherhead (2-7 years)

Little Downsend Leatherhead is a Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2 years to 7 years.

The largest of the three schools, Little Downsend Leatherhead benefits from a huge play area, an acre of grassy fields, forest school, stage and climbing equipment.

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Downsend School (8 - 16 years)

Downsend School houses Year 3 to Year 11. Featuring a brand-new Creative Arts Centre, extensive sporting facilities, 25m pool and a wide range of specialist labs and studios, Downsend offers pupils an exciting place to learn. Conveniently located just outside Leatherhead, the campus has a leafy, suburban feel whilst being easy to get to by car, train or bus.

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Downsend Sixth (16-18 years)

Launching in September 2025, Downsend Sixth will provide an outstanding A Level experience in a purpose-designed building a short walk from Leatherhead train station and opposite Leatherhead Leisure Centre. State of the art specialist teaching rooms including Science Labs and an Innovation Suite will complement contemporary quiet study spaces and a collaborative Common Room and Café.

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Accreditations

Follow Downsend on Social Media

Friday 2nd May 2025 - Earth Day & Ranmore Charity Day!
This year, we celebrated Earth Day and Ranmore House Charity Day by combining our love for the planet with fundraising for our school charities (@hillside_animal_sanctuary and @dementia_uk )—all while proudly wearing the Ranmore house colour – yellow.
After an inspiring talk from @dementiauk, we launched our sunflower growing competition, planting seeds in origami pots to take home. We explored renewable energy by making paper windmills, got creative with leaf printing, and enjoyed scavenger hunts and garden play and garden play and weather was glorious.
This year, our Climate Action Plan is focused on energy—aiming to cut down on electricity and gas use. So, we also explored renewable energy and ways we can all make a difference.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #surreyschools #independentschool #privateschool #surreyhills #juniorschool #earthday #futureskills

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Friday 2nd May 2025 - Earth Day & Ranmore Charity Day!
This year, we celebrated Earth Day and Ranmore House Charity Day by combining our love for the planet with fundraising for our school charities (@hillside_animal_sanctuary and @dementia_uk )—all while proudly wearing the Ranmore house colour – yellow.
After an inspiring talk from @dementiauk, we launched our sunflower growing competition, planting seeds in origami pots to take home. We explored renewable energy by making paper windmills, got creative with leaf printing, and enjoyed scavenger hunts and garden play and garden play and weather was glorious.
This year, our Climate Action Plan is focused on energy—aiming to cut down on electricity and gas use. So, we also explored renewable energy and ways we can all make a difference.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #surreyschools #independentschool #privateschool #surreyhills #juniorschool #earthday #futureskills

Our amazing U16 Football Squad is off to the English Schools Football Association National Final! @schoolsfootball

This Wednesday, they’ll head to bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City FC, to represent Downsend on the national stage!

We’re incredibly proud of all the hard work and determination that’s brought them to this point. Today, they received their official match shirts — a special moment ahead of the big game.

Good luck, boys! Stay tuned for updates!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #boxhill #schoolsfootball #englishfootball #teamdownsend #surreyschool #independentschool

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Our amazing U16 Football Squad is off to the English Schools Football Association National Final! @schoolsfootball

This Wednesday, they’ll head to bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City FC, to represent Downsend on the national stage!

We’re incredibly proud of all the hard work and determination that’s brought them to this point. Today, they received their official match shirts — a special moment ahead of the big game.

Good luck, boys! Stay tuned for updates!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #boxhill #schoolsfootball #englishfootball #teamdownsend #surreyschool #independentschool

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome once again our Year 2 Little Downsend pupils to the Downsend main site for two fantastic workshops — Drama and Dance!
In Dance, the children followed energetic routines led by Victoria, our enrichment Dance teacher, putting their coordination and creativity to the test. In Drama, with Mrs Friend-Haynes, Head of Junior Drama, they used teamwork and imagination to bring playground scenes (and even The London Eye!) to life using only their bodies.
It was a brilliant day of fun, movement, and learning! We can’t wait to see our Year 1 & 2 pupils again for Sports Day at the end of June!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #wearecognita #cognitaschool #surreyschools #surreyhills #dramaworkshop #creativethinking #criticalthinking #futureskills #creativelearning #teamwork

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Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome once again our Year 2 Little Downsend pupils to the Downsend main site for two fantastic workshops — Drama and Dance!
In Dance, the children followed energetic routines led by Victoria, our enrichment Dance teacher, putting their coordination and creativity to the test. In Drama, with Mrs Friend-Haynes, Head of Junior Drama, they used teamwork and imagination to bring playground scenes (and even The London Eye!) to life using only their bodies.
It was a brilliant day of fun, movement, and learning! We can’t wait to see our Year 1 & 2 pupils again for Sports Day at the end of June!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #wearecognita #cognitaschool #surreyschools #surreyhills #dramaworkshop #creativethinking #criticalthinking #futureskills #creativelearning #teamwork

Last weekend, London welcomed runners from around the world for its iconic annual Marathon. The day before, our amazing pupils from Little Downsend and Downsend School took part in the London Mini Marathon, running in support of a fellow student’s heartfelt fundraiser for the St Helier Neonatal Team.

Their energy, teamwork, and determination made it a day to remember and who knows, it might just spark a few future marathon dreams!

Huge congratulations to everyone who took part, and a big thank you to our wonderful parent helpers, and Mr Moore, and Miss Seivewright for organising!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #buckinghampalace #londonmarathon #wearecognita #cognitaschools #teamdownsend #pallmall #london #joewicks @thebodycoach

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Last weekend, London welcomed runners from around the world for its iconic annual Marathon. The day before, our amazing pupils from Little Downsend and Downsend School took part in the London Mini Marathon, running in support of a fellow student’s heartfelt fundraiser for the St Helier Neonatal Team.

Their energy, teamwork, and determination made it a day to remember and who knows, it might just spark a few future marathon dreams!

Huge congratulations to everyone who took part, and a big thank you to our wonderful parent helpers, and Mr Moore, and Miss Seivewright for organising!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #buckinghampalace #londonmarathon #wearecognita #cognitaschools #teamdownsend #pallmall #london #joewicks @thebodycoach

Huge congratulations to Elsie in Year 8, who has been selected for the Great Britain Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Squad for 2025/26! 🇬🇧✨
After amazing performances at the English and British Championships, Elsie has just completed her first training camp at Lilleshall — even receiving a special award from the national head coach and training alongside Olympians! 🌟
We are so proud of you, Elsie! 👏

#downsendschool #wearecognita #inspiringgenerations #britishgymnastics #teamgb #downsendsports

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Huge congratulations to Elsie in Year 8, who has been selected for the Great Britain Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Squad for 2025/26! 🇬🇧✨
After amazing performances at the English and British Championships, Elsie has just completed her first training camp at Lilleshall — even receiving a special award from the national head coach and training alongside Olympians! 🌟
We are so proud of you, Elsie! 👏

#downsendschool #wearecognita #inspiringgenerations #britishgymnastics #teamgb #downsendsports

Year 9 & 10 students set off for an unforgettable Easter adventure to sunny Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Over six action-packed days, they trained at Abu Dhabi’s top sports hub and competed in football, netball, and cricket fixtures. Beyond the pitch, the group explored local culture with visits to the Grand Mosque, Dubai Creek, traditional souks, a desert safari, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. A big thank you to all the students and staff who made this tour such a memorable experience, blending sport and culture into something truly special!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #dubai #abudhabi #sportstour #surreyschools

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Year 9 & 10 students set off for an unforgettable Easter adventure to sunny Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Over six action-packed days, they trained at Abu Dhabi’s top sports hub and competed in football, netball, and cricket fixtures. Beyond the pitch, the group explored local culture with visits to the Grand Mosque, Dubai Creek, traditional souks, a desert safari, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. A big thank you to all the students and staff who made this tour such a memorable experience, blending sport and culture into something truly special!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #dubai #abudhabi #sportstour #surreyschools

Welcome back! We hope you had a restful Easter break. We look forward to the summer term filled with inspiring lessons, enriching experiences, brimming with purpose, passion, and possibility. From enriching lessons to cultural adventures, sports to creativity, this is our time to grow, achieve, and shine together. 💫

#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschool #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschool #nursery #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform

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Welcome back! We hope you had a restful Easter break. We look forward to the summer term filled with inspiring lessons, enriching experiences, brimming with purpose, passion, and possibility. From enriching lessons to cultural adventures, sports to creativity, this is our time to grow, achieve, and shine together. 💫

#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschool #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschool #nursery #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform

Good luck to all the parents receiving Reception offers today!

Didn’t get the news you were hoping for? Don’t worry — we have Reception places available for September 2025!

Downsend is a through school with a big heart, offering a holistic education where every child can truly thrive. And exciting news — our brand new Sixth Form opens in September 2025.

Want to find out more or book a personal tour? Our lovely Admissions Team is here to help — just tap the link in our bio!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #receptionclass #juniorschool #nationalofferday #surrey #surreyschools

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