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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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
Last Monday, we paid homage to World Maths Day in a big way!
Our students explored the mathematical genius of bees — learning how they use percentages, angles, and shapes to find pollen, store honey, and evaporate water! A huge thank you to Jayne from @growcookenjoy for leading this interactive and inspiring session! And we were thrilled to welcome Mrs. Johnston, our new Head of Junior School, to our morning celebrations!
Our Juniors and teachers showcased their problem-solving skills by creating their own math riddles and collaborating to solve complex codes.
Inspired by Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 masterpiece Colour Study: Squares with Concentric Circles, students explored circle properties like radius, diameter, and circumference. They discussed how concentric circles appear when a stone is dropped into water and even created their own stunning circle-inspired art!
Such a fun and educational way to celebrate the beauty of maths!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #worldmaths #bees #maths #wassilykandinsky #surbiton #surreyschools #juniorschool #privateschool #independentschool #sutton #boxhill #ripley
Downsend Sixth Update!
Another exciting announcement, as we complete a top-tier leadership team for our new Sixth Form!
We’re thrilled to introduce Miss Charlotte Hopkins as Head of Futures at Downsend Sixth. With extensive experience in university admissions, careers guidance, and student outreach at the University of Oxford and Shrewsbury School, Charlotte is passionate about expanding opportunities and equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in sixth form and beyond.
Her appointment marks another exciting step forward as we shape a Sixth Form experience that truly prepares students for the future.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #sixthform #sixthformsurrey #leatherhead #surreyschools #surreyhills #DownsendSixth
#FutureSkills #independentschool
#privateschool #surreyindependentschool
#ewell #ewellvillage #banstead
#wisley #ripley #boxhill #selondon @shrewsburyschool
What a journey! After their amazing performance at the IAPS Regional Netball Qualifiers, our U11A team took on the National Finals at Bryanston School, securing a top 20 finish—an incredible achievement!
The girls kicked off the day with two dominant wins, showcasing their skill and confidence. The next two matches were tough, but their determination never wavered, earning them a spot in the plate competition.
In a thrilling quarter-final against local rivals The Study, the team battled hard for a one-goal victory!
Though the semi-final and 3rd/4th playoff didn’t go our way, the girls finished 4th in the plate competition—a testament to their hard work and resilience.
A huge congratulations to the entire team for an outstanding season—your teamwork, dedication, and passion have been incredible to watch! A special shoutout to Miss Jones for her fantastic coaching and support.
Well done, girls!
#downsendschool #teamdownsend #wearecognita #cognitaschools #independentschool #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #juniorschool #netballteam #iaps #iapsnetball #boxhill #sutton #netballmatch
British Science Week: A Celebration of Science & Innovation!
This British Science Week, we explored the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in our ever-evolving world—and we celebrated with a bang!
Inspired by ‘Adopt and Change’, our students took part in exciting investigations and dissolving dilemmas. Year 6 students showcased their creativity by independently curating scientific displays on topics ranging from slime to dinosaurs to volcanoes—a true reflection of curiosity and critical thinking in action!
Beyond the classroom, we were thrilled to welcome Gareth from the Royal Institution back to Linford Theatre for electrifying science shows that wowed our whole school community!
To top it off, Mr. Gibbons (Head of Senior School Science) and Miss Blanchard (Science Technician) amazed us with intriguing chemistry experiments, some even featuring a massive bang!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #independentschools #privateschool #surreyschools #surreyhills #britishscienceweek #science #education #juniorschool #seniorschool #cognitaschools
Downsend Sixth Update!
We’re delighted to welcome Ms Emily Cooper as Deputy Head of Downsend Sixth. With a wealth of experience in both academic and pastoral leadership, Emily has played a key role in launching innovative Sixth Form initiatives across London and beyond. Her passion for education, student development, and future-focused learning makes her an incredible addition to our Senior Leadership Team. 💫
#downsendschool #wearecognita #sixthform #sixthformsurrey #leatherhead #surreyschools #surreyhills #DownsendSixth
#FutureSkills #independentschool
#privateschool #surreyindependentschool
#ewell #ewellvillage #banstead
#wisley #ripley #boxhill #selondon @whitgiftschool @sfx6thform
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