Private School & Private Nursery In Surrey - Downsend School (original) (raw)
Welcome to Downsend School
Inspiring Young Minds. Creating Incredible Futures.
Downsend is an innovative and forward-thinking independent school, with a new vision; to inspire a generation to embrace the future, shaping incredible people who will make change in our world.
At Downsend, 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.
All four schools in the Downsend family have been judged to be ‘excellent in all areas’ by the Independent School Inspectorate and we are delighted to have been shortlisted as 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year' in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2024.
Downsend is future focused in a rapidly evolving world.
From Nursery through to the Senior School, 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:
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.
Our Awards.
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.
Our cutting-edge Creative Arts Centre opened in June 2022.
Little Downsend Leatherhead
A NEW ERA
A new era for Downsend, welcoming babies to the family.
We are delighted to now welcome babies to the Downsend family. Little Downsend Ashtead is proud to provide an exceptional foundation for children aged 6 months to 4 years.
Follow Downsend on Social Media
Earlier this week, the Garden of Remembrance in Bourne Hall Park, located in Ewell Village, was officially opened by the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell. It was a privilege for the children of Little Downsend to be present at this meaningful occasion. Together, we paid tribute to the courageous women and men who lost their lives in the service of their country.
#downsendschool #littledownsend #wearecognita #ewell #bournehall #bournehallewell #remembranceday #espom #surrey #independentschool
Just before the half term, our Year 6 students went on their annual Sports Tour to Cardiff! This residential trip provides fantastic enrichment opportunities that expand educational, cultural, and sporting experiences for everyone involved. During their few days away, the students participated in several football, hockey, and rugby matches against schools from Wales. They also visited the historic Cardiff Castle and attended an ice hockey game to watch the Cardiff Devils play against another professional team.
Mr. Lawrence, the Director of Sports, commented, “Our sports fixtures were excellent, and the resilience shown by Year 6 against strong opponents was remarkable. We achieved some great results and took away valuable lessons that we can apply to our daily activities on the sports field, astro, and court at Downsend.” What a fantastic tour! We look forward to next year’s adventure.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #independentschool #surreyschools #surreyhills #icehockey #football #rugby #hockey #sportstour
Recently, our Year 3 engineers have been researching, designing, and crafting their own Roman-style catapults. The children have learnt how to set up and use clamps, bench blocks, and hacksaws independently, as well as how to measure and saw wood with increasing accuracy. They have also considered how wheels and axles work in preparation for making moving vehicles after the half term!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #privateschool #independentschool #year3 #engineering #design #surreyschools #surreyhills
Recently, our Year 4 students went on a trip to Nower Wood to launch the "Downsend Goes Wild" project with @surreywildlifetrust . This fantastic trip combined our science lessons with nature in the beautiful woodlands and trails of Nower Wood, just around the corner from our school.
During the trip, we took part in two workshops led by SWT staff: Pond Dipping and a Sensory Minibeast Trail. We learned to use microscopes and grew our understanding of food chains and habitats. All of these activities align perfectly with our science curriculum. We feel lucky to have the stunning Surrey Hills right on our doorstep, allowing us to explore science in its natural environment!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #juniorschool #seniorschool #independentschool #privateschool #boxhill #nowerwood #welovescience
Black History Month takes place in October every year and celebrates key figures and events in Black history. It began in the USA and has been celebrated in the UK since 1987.
Downsend is a proud holder of the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award and we discussed UNICEF’s Article 2 (no discrimination) and 30 (minority cultures’ rights in terms of learning, language, and religion) with the children. We asked our Year 3 students to research an inspirational figure for Black History Month and explain links to UNICEF rights, as well as expand on their contribution to society. The influential people they are studying include ex-President Barack Obama, Floyd Steadman, previous Head of Downsend, Nelson Mandela, Simone Biles, Marcus Rashford, and more. Watch this space to hear more about it after the half-term.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #bhm #blackhistorymonth #juniorschool #surreyschools #blackhistory #barackobama @floydsteadman #simonebiles #rosaparks #marcusrashford
Just before half term, our Head of Senior School, Mr. Dolan, hosted a special “Welcome to the Senior School” event, where our Year 7 and Year 8 students proudly shared their experiences transitioning from Junior to Senior Downsend. They spoke about their learning journeys, highlighting our innovative curriculum, outstanding pastoral care, and wide range of enrichment opportunities.
If you’re considering joining our vibrant school community, we still have a few places available! Our next assessment days will be held in the first week after half term. To learn more about Downsend and secure a place for your child, simply contact our Admissions Team through the link in our Linktree.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #independentschool #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #juniorschool #seniorschool #littledownsend
We are delighted to share that we recently welcomed Lea Blanchard to our Science Department Team at Downsend.
Last July, Lea graduated from the University of Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. She has joined us as a Science Technician and brings with her a deep passion for science, particularly Biology. In her own words, she expressed, "I am incredibly excited to be joining the wonderful science department where I hope to demonstrate my enthusiasm for the subjects!" In her leisure time, Lea enjoys unwinding through activities such as crocheting and sewing.
Lea, we are thrilled to have you join the Downsend family and we look forward to the valuable contributions you will make to our school!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #science #seniorschool #surreyschools #privateschool #birminghamuniversity #independentschool #boxhillsurrey
Earlier this month, our Year 4 students had an unforgettable trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace. The children were amazed by the well-preserved Roman mosaics, which are over 2000 years old, and they enjoyed exploring the beautiful palace gardens. We visited the museum where the children could view a range of artefacts uncovered at this historic site. The children acted as archaeologists when examining the Roman coins, pottery, and jewellery on display, discussing the clues these relics give us about life in Roman times.
The highlight of the day was the incredible workshop, where the children were transported back in time to experience life as the Romans did. They eagerly took part in a range of hands-on activities, from making their own mosaics and writing on wax tablets to handling Roman kitchen tools and even dressing up in traditional Roman attire!
#downsendschool #juniorschool #wearecognita #fishbourneromanpalace #surreyschools #privateschools #independendentschool #banstead #kingswood #couriousminds #tadworth
