Charlton Drive, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1PF
10 reasons to choose The Downs School
Top line
The Downs School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 86. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Bristol and one of the 4 best primary schools for 5 miles.
School fundamentals
The Downs School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 6 months and 13 years. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. The Downs School fees range from £4,572 (Rec) to £6,946 per term (2024/25). Fees exclude VAT but include lunches.
Average class size
The Downs School has two classes per year and an average class size of 14 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Year 8 The Downs School leavers 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.
The Downs School curriculum
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. Friday afternoon ‘Activities’ include Forest School, choir, theory of music, etiquette, woodwork, chess, study skills, play rehearsals, independent project, and reasoning. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School in pre-prep and residential trips from Year 4. The ‘Downs Award Scheme’ every Thursday offers outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, climbing, sailing, caving, shelter making, and orienteering for those not participating in team sports.
Specialist teaching
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.
Sport at The Downs School
School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. ‘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.
The Arts at The Downs School
Art and music 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. 7 choirs (compulsory in prep), orchestra and several instrument ensembles. Drama is part of the English curriculum. Weekend Art Workshop, and Annual Arts Week with visiting artists giving workshops. The school is one of the top 50 UK prep schools for the breadth of its creative and performing arts extra-curriculum.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care at the nursery from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
Find another school near The Downs School
Clifton High School, Nursery to Junior Schools (6 miles); Clifton College Prep & Pre-Prep (6.6 miles).
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).
Clifton High School (6 miles); Clifton College, Upper School (6.3 miles); Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (6.9 miles).
Gordano School (3.6 miles); St Bede’s Catholic College (4.6 miles); Backwell School (5.1 miles).