1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8TJ
10 reasons to choose Downsend School
Top line
Downsend School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 86. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Leatherhead and one of the 3 best primary schools for 2 miles.
School fundamentals
Downsend School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 7 and 13 years. The school has an academically selective admissions policy. It is the junior division of Downsend School, an all-through school to age 16, and is a member of the Cognita Schools group. Downsend School fees range from £6,793 +VAT (Year 3) to £7,142 +VAT per term (2024/25).
Average class size
Downsend School usually has four classes per year, and an average class size of 16 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Leavers’ destination schools for Downsend School pupils are now its senior division and one of 10-15 independent senior schools. Traditionally, around 20-30% of pupils left at 11+. Perhaps up to 50% now join the new Year 9 senior school. Epsom College, St John’s Leatherhead, Reigate Grammar School, and City of London Freemen’s School account for around 70% of all leavers. 40% of pupils win awards and scholarships.
The Downsend School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, reasoning, French, Spanish, Latin. The curriculum emphasises creativity throughout. There are regular theme days, including one for STEAM every term. In Years 7 and 8 the Downsend Diploma combines the ISEB core with elements of the Middle Years IB and development programmes to develop other skills including creativity, leadership, and citizenship. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs. In recent years the school has enjoyed national tournament success in science.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School to Year 4 and residential trips from Year 4. Eco Schools Green Flag Award.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for music, computing and sport throughout, for humanities, spelling and languages from Year 3, and for all subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Downsend School
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in athletics, football, rugby 7s, swimming.
The Arts at Downsend School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and half take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, 3 orchestras and several instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 5.45pm. Minibus service.
Find another school near Downsend School
City of London Freemen’s School, Junior School (1.8 miles); Danes Hill Preparatory School (3.9 miles); Kingswood House School (3.9 miles).
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Leatherhead (0.9 miles); St Martin’s Church of England Schools, Epsom (3.7 miles); St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Epsom (4 miles).
St John’s School, Leatherhead (1 mile); City of London Freemen’s School (1.8 miles); Box Hill School (3.5 miles).
St Andrew’s Catholic School (0.7 miles); Rosebery School (3.2 miles); Glyn School (5 miles).