Welcome to the Junior School.
We believe that lessons should be fun and creative so that your child is excited to learn. Our teaching is immersive; it’s hands-on, positive, and enriching. It is not uncommon to see children in the Junior School learning about fractions by breaking chocolate into chunks, re-enacting the most challenging political rebellions using fruit, or walking around dressed as Egyptians. We find that active learning engages the children’s imagination, enriches the curriculum, and makes learning fun.
Our classes are small enabling our dedicated teachers to nurture and stretch every child and to help them to achieve their full academic potential.
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Meet the Head of Junior School.
Clare Kirkham is the Head of Junior School. With over 20 years’ experience in Primary Education, she is passionate about providing an exciting, dynamic, creative and inspiring learning environment: a place where children should be given a love of learning that will stay with them long after they have left formal education. Leading a fantastic team of equally motivated teachers and support staff, Clare believes learning should be as immersive and enjoyable as possible and a school a place where all children feel valued, challenged, safe and stimulated.
Brilliant Basics.
With excellent academic achievement from a wide range of starting points, we have high standards in reading, writing and numeracy and work hard to instil a foundation of excellence in these areas to ensure that children have the bedrock for building their learning as they progress throughout the school. Our academic achievement in Reading, Writing and Maths is excellent, exceeding both National and Surrey averages.
As an innovative and forward-thinking school, technology is embedded in our school as a natural and everyday feature of learning, supporting rather than supplanting the development of children’s basic skills.
our approach
Our Approach.
Our teaching challenges children to use higher-order thinking skills whilst also providing the support, encouragement and opportunity to reach their full potential. We create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where our pupils feel valued and empowered to succeed.
Our teaching spaces are high-energy places with children actively involved in the learning process, leading collaborative activities, solving real-world problems and enjoying hands-on projects. We work with children to master concepts so they have a deep and thorough understanding of a subject. Going beyond facts and figures, our children develop a comprehensive and intuitive understanding and are then able to confidently apply their knowledge in a wide range of settings.
We are lucky to have a Junior School Team that join us with inspiring educational backgrounds. Children in the Junior School benefit from Specialist Teaching in Maths, Science, English, Languages, Art, Technology, Music, Drama and Sport, which adds depth and breadth to the subject area from an early age, alongside outstanding pastoral care.
Shortlisted | Co-educational Independent School of the Year 2024
These highly-regarded awards recognise and celebrate the fantastic experiences and opportunities for students in independent schools across the UK and British schools overseas.
Green Flag Award
We are delighted that Downsend School has been awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award in recognition of our commitment to pupil-led environmental action.
ACCREDITATIONS
Inspiring Young Minds. Creating Incredible Futures.
0 - 4 yrs old
2 - 7 yrs old
2 - 7 yrs old
7-12 yrs old
12 - 16 yrs old
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