Welcome to Downsend School

Inspiring Young Minds. Creating Incredible Futures.

Downsend is an innovative and forward-thinking independent school, with a new vision; to inspire a generation to embrace the future, shaping incredible people who will make change in our world.

At Downsend, we prepare our young people for the future with a creative and problem-solving approach. We think big, we celebrate innovation, and we never hold back.

All four schools in the Downsend family have been judged to be ‘excellent in all areas’ by the Independent School Inspectorate and we are delighted to have been shortlisted as 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year' in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2024.

Open Days & Visits

Make an Enquiry

Read our 2023 Inspection Reports

Downsend is future focused in a rapidly evolving world.

From Nursery through to the Senior School, day to day life at Downsend is fast-paced, inspiring and immersive. We bring learning to life, providing opportunities for growth at every age.

We're passionate about providing the best, most innovative experience possible. Find out more about our Future Skills Vision below:

Future Skills Vision

Head's Welcome

Meet the Head.

Described by the Good Schools Guide as ‘refreshingly candid, with a knack for getting what he wants’, Ian Thorpe has been Head at Downsend for 10 years. A forward-thinking Head, Ian has been responsible for significant change at Downsend.

His can-do attitude, relentless energy and good humour, coupled with an impressive track record from Chinthurst, City of London Freemen's and Caterham School, mean that Downsend benefits from the best of both worlds – the ability to choose the best of the sector, whilst also innovating to do things differently.

Our Awards.

ISA Awards 2024: 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year'

Shortlisted

ISA Awards 2022 for Innovation in Independent Education:

Finalist

Microsoft Showcase Schools Incubator Pathway

Muddy Stilettos 2022 Awards for Most Creative Learning Through Play:

Highly Commended

Common Sense Media School: 2021-2023

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award: July 2022

FACILITIES & LOCATION

Excellent learning locations.

Innovative modern spaces bring specialist teaching to life at the Main School, while Little Downsend offers a home from home for our littlest children, with outstanding outdoor spaces for exploring and learning.

Facilities and Locations

Our cutting-edge Creative Arts Centre opened in June 2022.

Little Downsend Ashtead

Little Downsend Epsom

Little Downsend Leatherhead

Downsend Main Campus

A NEW ERA

A new era for Downsend, welcoming babies to the family.

We are delighted to now welcome babies to the Downsend family. Little Downsend Ashtead is proud to provide an exceptional foundation for children aged 6 months to 4 years.

Little Downsend Ashtead

Passionate and inspiring leadership, down to earth, fantastic facilities and a modern, forward-thinking approach.

– A Downsend Parent

Our Schools

Little Downsend Ashtead (0 - 4 years)

Little Downsend Ashtead is a Nursery and Pre-School for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

A short walk from Ashtead Village, with its independent shops and cafes, Little Downsend Ashtead is perfectly located for new parents looking for a nursery within walking distance that has a quiet, welcoming presence.

Little Downsend Epsom (2-7 years)

Little Downsend Epsom is a Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2 years to 7 years.

Occupying a beautiful piece of land with a grassy field, garden and play areas, both children's and parent's needs are catered for in quiet surroundings.

Little Downsend Leatherhead (2-7 years)

Little Downsend Leatherhead is a Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2 years to 7 years.

The largest of the three schools, Little Downsend Leatherhead benefits from a huge play area, an acre of grassy fields, forest school, stage and climbing equipment.

Downsend School (8 - 16 years)

Downsend School houses Year 3 to Year 11. Featuring a brand-new Creative Arts Centre, extensive sporting facilities, 25m pool and a wide range of specialist labs and studios, Downsend offers pupils an exciting place to learn. Conveniently located just outside Leatherhead, the campus has a leafy, suburban feel whilst being easy to get to by car, train or bus.

Accreditations

Follow Downsend on Social Media

As we kick off a new academic year, it’s always a pleasure to welcome back our returning students and greet those joining us for the first time at Downsend School. We know that transitioning to a new school can feel overwhelming, so we’ve planned a range of activities to help students settle in, build confidence, and form new friendships.

Recently, our Year 3 students took part in exciting team-building activities designed to develop key skills like communication, listening, decision-making, and leadership. The morning was a great success, giving everyone the chance to connect and collaborate. Next up, our Year 7 students are heading off on their own adventure later this week—stay tuned for updates!

#downsendschool #independentschool #wearecognita #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #cognitaschools #juniorschool #newacademicyear20242025

As we kick off a new academic year, it’s always a pleasure to welcome back our returning students and greet those joining us for the first time at Downsend School. We know that transitioning to a new school can feel overwhelming, so we’ve planned a range of activities to help students settle in, build confidence, and form new friendships.

Recently, our Year 3 students took part in exciting team-building activities designed to develop key skills like communication, listening, decision-making, and leadership. The morning was a great success, giving everyone the chance to connect and collaborate. Next up, our Year 7 students are heading off on their own adventure later this week—stay tuned for updates!

#downsendschool #independentschool #wearecognita #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #cognitaschools #juniorschool #newacademicyear20242025

We are thrilled to introduce Mr. Richard Dolan as the new Head of Senior School. With 25 years of experience in the UK and abroad, Mr Dolan brings a wealth of knowledge in pedagogy from both the maintained and independent education sectors. He is committed to providing a well-rounded, supportive educational experience for all students with a strong focus on personalised learning, ensuring that each student receives the necessary guidance to excel academically and grow personally.

Please click on the link in our bio to watch the full version of the introduction video.

Don’t forget that our next Open Morning is on Friday, September 20th. This is a great opportunity to meet the new Head of the Senior School if you’re considering joining our wonderful school. To book your place, please click on the link in our bio.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #futureready #independentschool #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #seniorschool @cognitaschools

We are thrilled to introduce Mr. Richard Dolan as the new Head of Senior School. With 25 years of experience in the UK and abroad, Mr Dolan brings a wealth of knowledge in pedagogy from both the maintained and independent education sectors. He is committed to providing a well-rounded, supportive educational experience for all students with a strong focus on personalised learning, ensuring that each student receives the necessary guidance to excel academically and grow personally.

Please click on the link in our bio to watch the full version of the introduction video.

Don’t forget that our next Open Morning is on Friday, September 20th. This is a great opportunity to meet the new Head of the Senior School if you’re considering joining our wonderful school. To book your place, please click on the link in our bio.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #futureready #independentschool #surreyschools #privateschool #surreyhills #seniorschool @cognitaschools

We are thrilled to announce that Little Downsend has been selected as Finalist in the ISA Awards 2024 for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years!

We are extremely proud of our staff at Little Downsend for their dedication to fostering children’s future skills, and their commitment to the ‘brilliant basics’, as well as global thinking, emotional intelligence, and digital mastery. Our holistic education approach emphasises enrichment opportunities that stimulate creativity, exploration, and learning through play. Come rain or shine, we offer a wide range of activities, including outdoor learning and specialist teaching in music, dance, sports, and languages.

At Little Downsend, each child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally, laying the groundwork for their future years of fascinating learning and growth.

#downsendschool #littledownsend #isaaward #isaawards2024 #privateschool #nursery #surreyhills #wearecognita @cognitaschools #surreynursery

We are thrilled to announce that Little Downsend has been selected as Finalist in the ISA Awards 2024 for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years!

We are extremely proud of our staff at Little Downsend for their dedication to fostering children’s future skills, and their commitment to the ‘brilliant basics’, as well as global thinking, emotional intelligence, and digital mastery. Our holistic education approach emphasises enrichment opportunities that stimulate creativity, exploration, and learning through play. Come rain or shine, we offer a wide range of activities, including outdoor learning and specialist teaching in music, dance, sports, and languages.

At Little Downsend, each child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally, laying the groundwork for their future years of fascinating learning and growth.

#downsendschool #littledownsend #isaaward #isaawards2024 #privateschool #nursery #surreyhills #wearecognita @cognitaschools #surreynursery

Welcome back to Downsend, everyone! We are excited to see all of you looking refreshed and very smart after your summer break. We look forward to the new academic year of holistic education with you all, filled with inspiring lessons, enrichment events here and further afield, and many academic achievements that we can conquer together this year.

#downsendschool #independentschool #wearecognita #independentschool #cognitaschools #privateschools #surreyschools #2024academicyear #newacademicyear #surreyhills

Welcome back to Downsend, everyone! We are excited to see all of you looking refreshed and very smart after your summer break. We look forward to the new academic year of holistic education with you all, filled with inspiring lessons, enrichment events here and further afield, and many academic achievements that we can conquer together this year.

#downsendschool #independentschool #wearecognita #independentschool #cognitaschools #privateschools #surreyschools #2024academicyear #newacademicyear #surreyhills

Today, we were thrilled to welcome our Year 3 ‘graduates’ from Little Downsend, our Year 7 students progressing from our Junior School, and all new joiners from other schools. The morning was filled with collaborative activities designed to help everyone meet and reconnect in their new groups. It was wonderful to see everyone looking smart, refreshed, and eager to start the year, ready to embrace the academic and enrichment opportunities ahead. We’re incredibly proud of how smoothly they’ve adapted to their new surroundings. We can’t wait to see them - and the rest of Downsend’s students - tomorrow for our first full day back!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #backtoschool #independentschool #privateschool #newschoolyear #cognitaschools #surreyschools

Today, we were thrilled to welcome our Year 3 ‘graduates’ from Little Downsend, our Year 7 students progressing from our Junior School, and all new joiners from other schools. The morning was filled with collaborative activities designed to help everyone meet and reconnect in their new groups. It was wonderful to see everyone looking smart, refreshed, and eager to start the year, ready to embrace the academic and enrichment opportunities ahead. We’re incredibly proud of how smoothly they’ve adapted to their new surroundings. We can’t wait to see them - and the rest of Downsend’s students - tomorrow for our first full day back!

#downsendschool #wearecognita #backtoschool #independentschool #privateschool #newschoolyear #cognitaschools #surreyschools

Celebrating our GCSE 2024 Students: James is the middle of three children, all of whom have been Downsend students. A keen musician, James has been involved in rock bands as an expert drummer, on stage in a variety of performances and has also been Assistant Director in Year 7 and 8 performances. He is such a passionate advocate of Downsend life that he even works at Downsend+, our Holiday Camp, during the summer months. We are confident that James will enjoy pursuing his dreams in music technology in the years to come.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschools #gcse #languages #surreyschools #surrey #surreyindependentschool

Celebrating our GCSE 2024 Students: James is the middle of three children, all of whom have been Downsend students. A keen musician, James has been involved in rock bands as an expert drummer, on stage in a variety of performances and has also been Assistant Director in Year 7 and 8 performances. He is such a passionate advocate of Downsend life that he even works at Downsend+, our Holiday Camp, during the summer months. We are confident that James will enjoy pursuing his dreams in music technology in the years to come.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschools #gcse #languages #surreyschools #surrey #surreyindependentschool

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Little Downsend and Downsend Schools next week, and we`re looking forward to a fantastic 2024-2025 academic year together!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #backtoschool #wearecognita #surreyschools #surreyhills

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Little Downsend and Downsend Schools next week, and we're looking forward to a fantastic 2024-2025 academic year together!

#downsendschool #littledownsend #backtoschool #wearecognita #surreyschools #surreyhills

Celebrating our GCSE 2024 Students: When the War in Ukraine escalated in 2022, Anya’s family fled the port town of Odessa and sought refuge in Surrey. Downsend agreed to provide an education for Anna and her sister, both of whom spoke only limited English. Two years later, Anna, gained 8 GCSEs at Grades 5-8, including in both English and Mathematics.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschools #gcse #languages #surreyschools #surrey #surreyindependentschool

Celebrating our GCSE 2024 Students: When the War in Ukraine escalated in 2022, Anya’s family fled the port town of Odessa and sought refuge in Surrey. Downsend agreed to provide an education for Anna and her sister, both of whom spoke only limited English. Two years later, Anna, gained 8 GCSEs at Grades 5-8, including in both English and Mathematics.

#downsendschool #wearecognita #privateschool #independentschool #surreyschools #gcse #languages #surreyschools #surrey #surreyindependentschool

Follow on Instagram

Learn more.

Request our brochure

NEXT STEPS

Academic Excellence

Facilities & Location