Academic Standards

The Downsend curriculum is designed to meet the examination requirements both of the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2, and of independent senior schools. 

The broad curriculum in the Junior School ensures each child can enjoy and participate in all lessons. The children are introduced to a varied and specialised curriculum, mainly looked after by their Form Teacher, but also given the experience of working with specialists in subjects like Games, Music, Food Technology and Textiles. Many activities throughout the school day are practical and all the children are encouraged to get involved and have confidence in their own abilities. 

In the Junior School, children study English, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, History, Geography, Religious Studies, French, PSHE, Reasoning, Art, Music, Drama, Technology (including food and textiles) and Physical Education (including swimming and a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports). 

In Year 4 children move into parallel A and B streams. All classes follow similar programmes of study in each subject, with the main difference being the amount of independent work. 

Due to the rigours of a busy school day, homework is kept to a minimum. Reading aloud, spellings, multiplication and number bonds are the main tasks set with some written homework introduced in the latter part of Year 3. In Year 4, the levels of homework increase to include a written piece of English and Mathematics alongside continued daily reading. 

In the latter part of Year 3, some written homework is introduced and summer term assessments in English and Mathematics indicate individual pupil's progress and attainment.

SEN and Gifted & Talented Children 

Should a child need additional learning support, the school has a SEN Learning Support Co-ordinator, who liaises with the Form Teachers as required. Also on site is a Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator to ensure more able children are given extension work and tasks, which are appropriate to their abilities. These resources are available from the Lodges up to Senior School.