Welcome to Downsend School
Downsend is an innovative and forward-thinking independent school with a vision. A vision to inspire pupils to embrace the future, to create incredible people who make change in a rapidly evolving world.
From Nursery to Sixth Form, 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.
It is an exciting time to be a Downsendian as our Sixth Form opens in September 2025. Downsend Sixth will complete the journey for pupils from the ages of 6 months to 18 and marks an exceptional moment in our history.
A new era for Downsend
Downsend Sixth launches September 2025! Our brand new, purpose-designed, Sixth Form Centre will offer the very best of both worlds. Our new campus will offer young people the perfect environment for both academic success and personal growth.
Our Awards.
Highly Commended
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.
Accreditations
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Our Year 9 Geography students had a fantastic time exploring the impact of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park regeneration in Stratford.
Despite the heat, they showed amazing effort—interviewing locals, gathering data, and putting their hypotheses to the test!
Highlights included the iconic Olympic Rings and the award-winning Velodrome—where Sir Chris Hoy, Dame Laura Kenny, and other Team GB and Paralympic athletes lit up London 2012, and Sir Bradley Wiggins broke the UCI Hour Record in 2015. Great work, Year 9!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #futureready #leevalley #leevalleyvelopark #velodrome #chrishoy #laurakenny #bradleywiggins
Last Wednesday, our amazing U16 Football Squad took to the pitch at the bet365 Stadium—home of Stoke City FC for the national ESFA Cup Final after an incredible run of national-level performances.
Despite conceding early, the boys responded with true grit. Just before halftime, James and captain Ned scored back-to-back goals to take a 2-1 lead.
They held strong through the second half, but fatigue crept in and St Joseph’s equalised late on. With no further goals, it went to penalties – and eventually to sudden death.
They narrowly missed out, 6-5, but the resilience, teamwork, and sheer determination on display were nothing short of inspiring.
As Mr Lawrence, Head of Sports and Mr Bell, Head of Football concluded: “We could not be prouder of the team, they were a credit to themselves, their families and the school and should be so proud of what they have achieved as a squad”.
What an unforgettable experience! Huge well done to the boys—you’ve taken Downsend to a whole new level on the national football pitch!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #independentschool #schoolsfootball #arnoldclark #teamdownsend @schoolsfootball
🇬🇧VE Day Celebrations at Little Downsend 💫
While street parties take place across the country this weekend, our youngest pupils at Little Downsend Epsom stepped back in time on Thursday with a street party–themed assembly to commemorate VE Day. The children explored wartime artefacts — including an original 1940s tea set — watched a Red Arrows flypast, and proudly waved Union Jack flags while singing the national anthem. It was a truly memorable morning for all.
All three Little Downsend schools took part in the celebrations by creating vibrant VE Day bunting, now proudly on display at Bourne Hall Museum and Library.
#downsendschool #littledownsend #veday80 #wearecognita #independentschool @bournehallewell #ewell #bournehall
Downsend Senior School Update!🌟
We are delighted to welcome Mr Peter Nathan as Head of Senior School at Downsend.
Peter brings a broad and rich educational background, having trained through the Teach First programme, following a degree in Archaeology at the University of York. He taught in schools in Wolverhampton and Bermondsey, where he was part of teams dedicated to closing attainment gaps and supporting student potential in challenging contexts.
He later moved into the independent sector, holding senior roles at The Harrodian School and Radnor House, Twickenham. At Radnor House, as Deputy Head, he led the drive to earn Thinking School status and introduced innovative, interdisciplinary projects, such as a River Thames study that developed students’ real-world skills.
A strong advocate for student wellbeing and character education, Peter has over ten years` experience in safeguarding and pastoral leadership. His work has earned national recognition for excellence in mental health and wellbeing.
Now living in the Surrey Hills with his family, Peter will be joining Downsend in September 2025 with a clear vision: to build on the school’s strengths, foster innovation, and ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, character, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #futureready #independentschool #privateschool #surreyschools #seniorschool #boxhill #surreyhills
Today, we’re marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Downsend. While our focus is on future-ready skills and bringing out the best in every student, let’s take a step back to 1944.
We’re revisiting a powerful moment in our history—when Downsend’s oldest building, Howard House (originally named ‘Ermyn Way House’), was struck by a flying bomb during the final months of World War II.
Summary of events: Just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 11th July 1944, an Air Raid Warden on Leatherhead Road experienced his third close brush with danger. He heard the familiar chug of a German V-1 flying bomb approaching from the south—this one heading straight for Downsend School. Moments later, it exploded near the grounds, sending black smoke into the sky.
The warden rushed across the playing fields to find the staff, including Headmaster Mr. Linford—himself covered in soot—surveying the damage. The bomb had crashed into trees behind Emryn House, destroying a nearby outbuilding and part of the house itself.
Thankfully, there were no casualties, though nearby homes and school buildings suffered significant damage.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #veday #ve80thanniversary #independentschool
Good luck to our U16 Football squad as they head off to the ESFA Arnold Clark Cup Finals at Stoke City FC today!
Catch the action live at 17:30 on the ESFA YouTube Channel – link in our Linktree in bio.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #privateschool #schoolsfootball #arnoldclarkcup #stokeontrent
Friday 2nd May 2025 - Earth Day & Ranmore Charity Day!
This year, we celebrated Earth Day and Ranmore House Charity Day by combining our love for the planet with fundraising for our school charities (@hillside_animal_sanctuary and @dementia_uk )—all while proudly wearing the Ranmore house colour – yellow.
After an inspiring talk from @dementiauk, we launched our sunflower growing competition, planting seeds in origami pots to take home. We explored renewable energy by making paper windmills, got creative with leaf printing, and enjoyed scavenger hunts and garden play and garden play and weather was glorious.
This year, our Climate Action Plan is focused on energy—aiming to cut down on electricity and gas use. So, we also explored renewable energy and ways we can all make a difference.
#downsendschool #wearecognita #cognitaschools #surreyschools #independentschool #privateschool #surreyhills #juniorschool #earthday #futureskills
Our amazing U16 Football Squad is off to the English Schools Football Association National Final! @schoolsfootball
This Wednesday, they’ll head to bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City FC, to represent Downsend on the national stage!
We’re incredibly proud of all the hard work and determination that’s brought them to this point. Today, they received their official match shirts — a special moment ahead of the big game.
Good luck, boys! Stay tuned for updates!
#downsendschool #wearecognita #seniorschool #boxhill #schoolsfootball #englishfootball #teamdownsend #surreyschool #independentschool
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