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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Accreditations

Follow Downsend on Social Media

Our Year 11 Prom on Friday was a blast! ☀️

We started the evening by welcoming pupils and families into Downsend for photos and celebrations, before the students headed on to Leatherhead Golf Club for their prom.

After all their hard work this year, it was such a well-deserved evening. We’re so proud of our Year 11s and hope they now enjoy a brilliant, long summer break.

#downsend #downsendschool #year11prom #surreyschools

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Our Year 11 Prom on Friday was a blast! ☀️

We started the evening by welcoming pupils and families into Downsend for photos and celebrations, before the students headed on to Leatherhead Golf Club for their prom.

After all their hard work this year, it was such a well-deserved evening. We’re so proud of our Year 11s and hope they now enjoy a brilliant, long summer break.

#downsend #downsendschool #year11prom #surreyschools

Signing out, Class of ’26. ✍️

A special moment for our Year 11 students as they mark the end of their GCSEs and an important chapter in their school journey.

We’re so proud of everything they have achieved so far not just this year but since joining Downsend and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Next stop, prom! 🎉

#downsend #downsendschool #year11 #classof26 #surreyschools

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Signing out, Class of ’26. ✍️

A special moment for our Year 11 students as they mark the end of their GCSEs and an important chapter in their school journey.

We’re so proud of everything they have achieved so far not just this year but since joining Downsend and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Next stop, prom! 🎉

#downsend #downsendschool #year11 #classof26 #surreyschools

We won! 🏆

We’re so proud to share that we have won the Education Choices Senior School Award 2026 for Diversity and Inclusion in Sports.

This is such a special recognition for our Sport Department, who work so hard to make sport feel positive, accessible and encouraging for every pupil.

Whether students are competing, trying something new, building confidence or simply finding the joy in being active, inclusion sits at the heart of sport at Downsend.

A huge well done to everyone involved, and thank you to @education_choices_magazine for this lovely recognition.

#downsendschool #surreyschools #cognitaschools #seniorschool

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We won! 🏆

We’re so proud to share that we have won the Education Choices Senior School Award 2026 for Diversity and Inclusion in Sports.

This is such a special recognition for our Sport Department, who work so hard to make sport feel positive, accessible and encouraging for every pupil.

Whether students are competing, trying something new, building confidence or simply finding the joy in being active, inclusion sits at the heart of sport at Downsend.

A huge well done to everyone involved, and thank you to @education_choices_magazine for this lovely recognition.

#downsendschool #surreyschools #cognitaschools #seniorschool

Meet some of our Year 7 and 8 Beauty and the Beast cast, sharing their favourite lines and imagining what the first line of their character’s diary might be… 🌹

We’re really looking forward to welcoming families tomorrow and seeing all their hard work come to life on stage!

#DownsendSchool #BeautyAndTheBeast #MusicalTheatre

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Meet some of our Year 7 and 8 Beauty and the Beast cast, sharing their favourite lines and imagining what the first line of their character’s diary might be… 🌹

We’re really looking forward to welcoming families tomorrow and seeing all their hard work come to life on stage!

#DownsendSchool #BeautyAndTheBeast #MusicalTheatre

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Academic Excellence

Facilities & Location