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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Today, after 8 incredible years at Downsend, we bid a fond farewell to Clare Kirkham.
Clare’s leadership, warmth, and dedication have been at the heart of our Junior School’s success, earning the trust of parents, inspiring staff, and shaping an environment where students thrive.
From navigating major milestones—like launching our Senior School and preparing for the opening of Downsend Sixth—Clare has been a driving force behind our school’s growth.
Winning the ‘Most Loved by Parents’ award in her penultimate term is a testament to the impact she’s made.
While we’ll miss her dearly, we couldn’t be happier for Clare as she takes on this exciting new chapter. Please join us in thanking her for everything she’s done for Downsend!
It might seem a bit early to think about next winter, but thanks to the Little Downsend Leatherhead Eco Council and Forest School leader Jay Bristow, we now have a hedgehog hibernation shelter in our Forest School! With 8 months ahead, our Downsend children will help create the perfect natural conditions inside, giving our prickly friends a safe, cosy home for hibernation later this year.
The Eco Committee is also busy planning some summer gardening projects and a local litter pick.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #ecoschool #helphedgehogs #creativity #helpinganimals #littledownsend #independentschool #privateschool
We were thrilled to host and participate in an inspiring morning of debate and creativity at the Junior School Public Speaking Competition! Thank you to @feltonfleetschool and @danes_hill_school for joining us at Downsend for this event.
Each school brought three incredible teams who spoke with confidence and passion on thought-provoking topics, including:
‘The positives and negatives of devices’
‘Animal testing should be banned’
‘The arguments for and against a four-day week’
‘Why Chocolate Rules!’
Congratulations to the winning team from @feltonfleetschool who spoke convincingly about the motion ‘AI is a threat’.
Mrs Newberry, our Head of Junior School English, concluded:
"Congratulations to all of the Public Speaking competitors! Friday’s event was fabulous, showcasing the children’s confidence, performance, and articulation in front of a large audience. They were all very impressive indeed!"
Many thanks also to Mrs Vinsen- Tell from @stjohnsleatherhead , who was our wonderful judge for this event.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #publicspeaking #juniorschool #privateschool #independentschool #boxhillsurrey #surreyschools #surreyhills #futureskills
Our Year 10 students recently completed another stage of their DofE Silver Practice Expedition. Through rain, mud, and a few blisters, they showed incredible resilience, teamwork, and determination to navigate their routes successfully. Along the way, they honed essential skills like map reading, problem-solving, and leadership, making this an unforgettable learning experience.
A huge well done to all participants for their hard work and commitment – you should be so proud! Now, onto the qualifying expedition!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #dukeofedinburgh #dofe #dofesilver #boxhill #surrey #surreyschools #seniorschool #privateschool
Huge congratulations to our Year 4 and Year 5 students for securing 2nd place in the Caterham School Geography Quiz last week!
Competing against 13 other teams, they tackled a wide range of geography questions and even won the model round by creating an impressive Play-Doh volcano! Their teamwork, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills were on full display—future skills in action!
Well done, team!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #privateschool #independentschools #geographyquiz #juniorschool #futureskills
Congratulations to Elsie, our amazing Year 8 student, for competing in the British Gymnastics Championships! She placed 9th overall in the UK, taking on the challenge in a massive arena under intense pressure. What an incredible achievement!
#downsendschool #seniorschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #privateschool #independentschools #britishgymnastics #gymnastics
We’re proud to announce that recently our school has been awarded the ‘Allergy-Friendly School’ certificate by @natashasfoundation
This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where students, staff, and visitors with food allergies feel protected and empowered. From classrooms to cafeterias, school trips to activities, we’re dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our school community is fully included in all aspects of school life.
Thank you to Natasha’s Foundation and our amazing school community for making this possible!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #natashasfoundation #education #teachers #teaching #foodallergies #foodallergy #allergyawareness #surreyschools
Last Friday, March 22nd, we ‘switched off’ at Downsend for one hour! Our amazing Eco Committee—made up of Junior and Senior students—led a school-wide electricity shutdown to reduce energy use and make a real impact.
This initiative is part of their ongoing mission to cut energy consumption. They regularly monitor electricity and gas usage, always finding new ways to protect the planet.
Through the Earth Hour Project, we’re reminded of the power of collective action. From turning off lights and unplugging devices to advocating for renewable energy, small actions create big change in the fight against climate change!
We can’t wait to see what our incredible Eco Team takes on next!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #futureskills #independentschool #privateschool #surreyschools #juniorschool #seniorschool #studentworkshop #ecoschool #gretathunberg #surreyhills #planetearth #sustainablity
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