School Day

The Senior School Day

We believe firmly that if children enjoy their days at school they will be successful and achieve their full potential. With this in mind, the school day is vibrant and active, refreshingly different from the traditional prep school day.

Classrooms are open each morning from 8.30 am and the pupils are expected to arrive before registration at 8.45 am. Some parents prefer to leave their children earlier than this and provision is made to supervise their arrival from 8.00 am

There is a Senior School assembly every morning, except when there is an extended form period and on Friday, when there is a whole school assembly.

All children stay to a two-course lunch, which is freshly prepared on the premises. The menu is varied and well balanced, with a wide choice of main course options, including vegetarian and two desserts. Special diets are catered for if possible.

The Senior School day finishes at 4.15 p.m., but there is plenty of flexibility for remaining in school after this time. Clubs run every day and form part of the school's extra-curricular programme. There are usually several sports practice sessions as well. Downsend's Extended Day Club  is also available for a small extra charge.

Homework is set in all the academic subjects and pupils spend 30 to 40 minutes per subject per night and are typically given two subjects during the week and three at weekends.