Charlton Drive, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1PF
10 simple reasons to choose The Downs School
Independent prep school and nursery in Wraxall, Bristol.
For pupils aged 6 months to 13 years.
Mixed school (about 60% boys).
Day school.
Religious character; Church of England.
Non-selective admissions policy.
Medium sized school with an average of two classes per year.
Standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school.
The Downs School fees range from £3,880 (Rec) to £5,895 per term (2021/22).
10 better reasons to choose The Downs School
Schoolsmith Score®; 87.
One of the best independent prep schools in Bristol and one of the 4 best primary schools for 5 miles.
On average, 16.1 pupils per class and 10.8 pupils per teacher, from Year 1.
Leavers' destination schools for Year 8 pupils at The Downs School in any given year are one of 10-15 mainly local independent day and boarding schools. Clifton College takes the lion's share of leavers, sometimes up to 50%. Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is probably the second most popular destination. Regular leavers for Badminton School, Colston's School, Bristol Grammar School, and Redmaids' High. 40%+ of pupils win scholarships.
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. Subjects are taught independently with some cross-curricular linking. Curriculum also includes PSHEE, reasoning, French, Spanish, Latin. There are over 5 different academic clubs per year group per term.
Specialist teachers for sport, languages, and music throughout, for art and DT from Year 2, science from Year 4, and for all subjects from Year 5.
There are educational trips and visiting speakers, and residential trips from Year 4. Friday afternoon 'Activities' include Forest School, choir, theory of music, etiquette, woodwork, chess, study skills, play rehearsals, independent project, and reasoning.
School offers over 15 different sports. 'Downs Award Scheme' every Thursday offers outdoor pursuits for those who don't like team sports. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in golf, rugby 7s.
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and over half take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. 7 choirs (compulsory in prep), orchestra and several instrument ensembles. Drama is part of the English curriculum. Over 10 different visual and performing arts clubs per year group per term. Weekend Art Workshop, and Annual Arts Week with visiting artists giving workshops.
Wraparound care at the nursery from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
Find another school near The Downs School
Independent Prep Schools
Fairfield School (5.2 miles); Clifton High School, Nursery to Junior Schools (6 miles); Clifton College Prep & Pre-Prep (6.6 miles).
State Primary Schools
Wraxall Church of England Primary School (2.5 miles); Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Bristol (4.2 miles); Tickenham Church of England Primary School (4.9 miles).
Independent Senior Schools
Clifton High School (6 miles); Clifton College, Upper School (6.3 miles); Queen Elizabeth's Hospital (6.9 miles).
State Senior Schools
Gordano School (3.6 miles); St Bede's Catholic College (4.6 miles); Backwell School (5.1 miles).