The Global Impact Project.
Global Learning. Real World Change.
At Downsend Sixth, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. The Global Impact Project is a transformational two-part programme, fully funded by the school for our founding cohort – a unique benefit for the pioneering students who join us first. It’s designed to take learning beyond the expected. It’s about inspiring action, igniting confidence, and giving students a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
By combining adventure with purpose, and leadership with global citizenship, the Global Impact Project equips students with the skills, self-belief and perspective to thrive; at university, in their careers, and in life.
Whether navigating open water or planting trees in a rainforest, students emerge stronger, more resilient, and with stories they’ll carry forever.
At Downsend Sixth, we believe this kind of education – practical, purposeful and globally connected – should be available to every student. That’s why our Global Impact Project is fully funded for our founding members.
D6 Induction
September 2025
With a focus on team-building, collaboration, resilience, leadership - and to signify the start of an exciting journey - students and the D6 leadership team undertake a 3 day residential experience designed to create the mindset of self-exploration and discovery.
Our first cohort will launch the programme with a 3 day sailing expedition across the Solent - the ideal environment for students to step into leadership, build practical skills and develop resilience in real time.
You'll work in a team, navigating to some of the South Coast's most iconic harbours, immersing yourself in an adventure that balances responsibility, strategy and collaboration.
D6 Adventure: Borneo
Summer 2026
The second phase of the project takes students to one of the world's most biodiverse regions, Borneo.
The D6 adventure is all about teamwork, cultural connection and doing something that matters. You'll step into the heart of the rainforest, working with communities and conservationists to protect endangered wildlife, restore damaged eco-systems and learn what responsible travel really looks like.
You'll work with the D6 Leadership team and our partners over the course of the academic year to map your own journey to discuss your interests and what you want to achieve as a collective.
Ready for what's next? You will be.
D6 Entrepreneurs
The Tycoon Challenge
Downsend has an entrepreneurial mindset through and through, so undertaking the Tycoon Challenge enables pupils to expand this on a wider scale. This national enterprise challenge asks each team to write a business plan and is provided a risk-free goodwill loan to create their own start-up business.
Students compete through a kick-starter style platform in a safe and controlled environment whilst gaining essential skills needed for starting their own ventures or in the workplace.
D6 Sports Leadership
Involving both guided, peer-to-peer and supervised leadership of sports activities, the qualification enables students to combine a passion for sport, with an opportunity to learn how to build and lead sports programmes for younger pupils or the wider community. The final qualification is worth 16 UCAS points.
In addition to being offered as a D6 Elective, the Sports Leadership Level 3 qualification is also offered as part of the Future Ready programme as an option (see D6 Electives for details)
D6 Stretch
Downsend already has a thriving clubs programme designed by students in line with their interests and the rapidly changing external environment. These clubs will continue into Downsend Sixth and will comprise of options such as E-Sports, Film Media, Fashion Design, Journalism and Podcasting.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a popular and flourishing extra-curricular option throughout Downsend. We are able to support Bronze, Silver and Gold. Students will take part in practice expeditions on the North and South Downs before progressing to the ‘wild country’ of Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Get in touch