Downside School
Downside is a co-educational independent boarding and day school near Bath, England for pupils aged 11-18. It was selected as the top Catholic independent school in the South-West by the Catholic Good Schools Guide and awarded 'Outstanding' across all categories by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate (May 2024). We were delighted to open a new Sixth Form Centre in November 2024. Downside is an exceptional school welcoming pupils from all round the world. Our student body is enriched by pupils from 27 different countries including Mexico, Chile, France, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Germany, and Japan. We are small enough to know every pupil but large enough to offer a wide variety of subject choices and extra curriculum options. As the vast majority of our pupils are boarders, weekends and evenings are busy and purposeful. Downside is based on a Catholic and Benedictine Foundation and embraces pupils from all faiths and none. The best way to learn more is to come and visit either in person or virtually – we welcome visitors all year round.
Facts
| Ages | 11 - 18 |
| Number of students | 300 |
| Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
| Average class size | 15 |
| Special education needs | Yes |
| Day/Boarding | Day School, Flexi Boarding, Full Boarding |
| Website | www.downside.co.uk |
Events
Open Morning
Open DayVideo
Gallery
About Downside School
At Downside, we feel that by working with families in a partnership built on trust, we provide the young people in our School with the strongest possible foundation for their education. Through belonging to a community in which each individual feels valued and included, pupils grow in confidence and are encouraged to develop their unique gifts, motivated by the joy of learning.
We are highly ambitious for our pupils and encourage them to seek out and welcome challenges. They consistently achieve beyond their expectations, and failure is not seen as something to fear. In fact, in a community where failure does not bring judgement and blame, it provides a valuable opportunity for humble reflection, and can even be the crucial springboard for growth and development which leads ultimately to success. This is no hollow promise but the genuine experience of our pupils as they are supported by teachers and staff who inspire and motivate them and are alive to their needs as individuals, whether in pursuing their academic studies, or as they develop their sporting, musical and artistic talents, or grow as leaders through serving others.
The School’s distinctive culture is built on its Catholic and Benedictine roots and supports the exploration of faith and spiritual growth within an inclusive and welcoming community. We embrace diversity and encourage imagination, creativity and open-mindedness. We believe that each individual is uniquely gifted and that every person has their own essential part to play. Our community is diminished if any one of us does not play our unique and distinct part or give of ourselves fully, like an orchestra, with each member playing their instrument, whilst listening and tuning to those around them.
Sports
- Archery
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Climbing Club
- Cricket
- Cross Country Running Club
- Dance
- Golf
- Gym / Weights / Fitness / Conditioning
- Hockey
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Netball
- Rugby
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Squash
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Extracurricular Activities
- After School Care
- Amnesty International
- Art Club
- Band
- Board Games
- Book Club
- Business
- Chess Club
- Choir
- Community Service Club
- Cooking
- Creative Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Cultural Excursions
- Debating
- Design
- Drama
- Duke of Edinburgh International Award
- Gardening
- History Club
- Homework Club
- Knitting
- LAMDA
- Language Lessons
- Lego Club
- Maths Club
- Model UN
- Music Classes
- Science Club
- Sewing
- STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts & Maths)
- Student Council
- Student Newspaper
Facilities
- Art Studio
- Astroturf / All Weather Pitch
- Boarding Houses
- Classrooms with Smart/Promethean Boards
- Concert Hall
- Dance Studio
- Design Technology Labs / Maker Spaces
- Gym / Fitness Centre
- ICT Labs
- Indoor Sports Hall
- Integrated IT
- Library
- Music Practice Rooms
- Outdoor Playground
- Performance Studios
- Recording Studio
- School Bus
- School Dining Room and Catering
- Science Labs
- Sports Fields
- Study Rooms
- Swimming Pool
- Tennis Courts
- Theatre
Curriculum
- A-Levels
- Bilingual Programme
- British Curriculum
- BTEC
- GCSE
- IGCSE
Contact
