UK Boarding Schools | Independent Schools | Private Schools

The School
Downside is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, and one of England’s oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. Founded in 1606, Downside is a school of 430 pupils, housed in magnificent buildings set in a 500-acre estate at the foot of the Mendip Hills, 12 miles south of the city of Bath.

Academic
Outstanding examination results are the priority, and nothing in the school day is more important than what happens day-in and day-out in the  classroom. Everyone is encouraged to aspire beyond their academic expectations. The School has a thriving academic life to stretch the brightest  pupils, and provides structured support for the less able. Year group Academic Societies, subject societies, field trips and overseas tours all encourage the pupils to develop interests far beyond the restrictions of the examination curriculum. All Downside pupils go on to university, medical school or art college.

Boarding
Downside School is committed to remaining a traditional full boarding school. Nearly all Downside pupils are seven-day-a-week boarders, and 10% of our pupils are from overseas. Weekends for boarders are full, busy and purposeful, with a full programme of activities. There are seven boarding houses at Downside, each overseen by the resident House Master/Mistress who is helped in particular by an Assistant, a team of Tutors, a House Mother and the Chaplaincy Team. The School Health Centre has trained nursing staff offering 24-hour care. Downside is proud of its outstanding pastoral support for all pupils and has long been known for its strong sense of community.

Arts, sports and co-curricular activities
Co-curricular activities provide vital experiences and opportunities and Downside offers an exceptionally wide choice to its pupils. All boys and girls are expected to participate; there are extended time slots for activities, clubs and societies, drama, music and sport on every weekday afternoon, and a  huge range of activities also take place outside the formal co-curricular times. The School is particularly renowned for the quality of its music and sport.  Facilities are excellent at Downside and over £9m has been spent in the past five years. Downside has a purpose-built 600-raked-seat theatre, large art studios and 100 acres of playing fields, as well as all-weather hockey pitches and tennis and netball courts. There is a fully modernised heated indoor swimming pool and a sports hall complex which includes fitness rooms, and also a gymnasium and glass-backed squash courts.

Smashing teaching, smashing children and an environment second to none.
The Good Schools Guide

DOWNSIDE SCHOOL ISI INSPECTION REPORT JANUARY 2013

Downside School’s place among the top flight of the country’s independent schools has been reaffirmed following its latest ISI inspection.
 

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Scholarships and Bursaries

SCHOLARSHIPS
Downside School offers a substantial number of Entrance Awards (scholarships and exhibitions) for pupils hoping to enter the School at the principal ages of entry of 11+, 13+ and 16+. The number and size of awards in any particular year are at the discretion of the Head Master. A scholarship or exhibition is a recognition of exceptional ability and promise and is usually accompanied by a financial reward. In cases of need, the Trustees will consider applications to supplement an award with a means-tested bursary to enable the award and place at the School to be taken up.
The bestowal of any award carries with it privilege and responsibility, as well as financial reward. Every award holder is expected to set an example for other pupils in their approach to academic study and participation in the fuller life of the School. The tenure of any award is intended to be for the duration of a holder's education at Downside, provided that the holder's academic progress and general conduct remain satisfactory and provided that the holder continues enthusiastically to fulfil the obligations associated with the award. Awards are reviewed annually.

11+ SCHOLARSHIPS
There are a number of scholarships and exhibitions available to pupils hoping to enter Downside in the First Form (Year 7). On rare occasions awards may also be made available to outstanding candidates joining the Second Form (Year 8). Awards are based upon an assessment of potential as well as achievement.
Click here for the Scholarship and Entry Examination Dates
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13+ SCHOLARSHIPS
There are a number of scholarships and exhibitions available to pupils hoping to enter Downside in the Third Form (Year 9). Applicants for all awards must be under 14 on 1st September in the year of their admission to the School. Awards are based upon an assessment of potential as well as achievement.
Click here for the Scholarship and Entry Examination Dates
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16+ SCHOLARSHIPS
Downside makes available a number of scholarships and exhibitions to pupils hoping to enter the Lower Sixth Form (Year 12) to study for AS Level and A2 Level qualifications. Applicants for all awards must be under 17 on 1st September in the year of their admission to the School. Awards are based upon an assessment of potential as well as achievement.
Click here for the Scholarship and Entry Examination Dates
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BURSARIES
The Abbot and community of Downside have established a bursary fund from which grants can be made to those parents who may need financial assistance to enable their children to attend the School. All bursaries are means-tested and are available to pupils entering the School at all age levels. Bursaries can also be awarded to parents of current Downside pupils whose financial circumstances may have changed unexpectedly. Bursaries are normally subject to a limit of 50% of the school fees but awards to the amount of 100% of the school fees can be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

Bursary applications are also accepted from the holder of a Scholarship or Exhibition, if the award is insufficient to enable a place at the School to be taken up. Grants are normally subject to a limit of half of the total fees.

Bursary application forms can be obtained from the Registrar. All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.
Fee-concessions are also available for siblings and for children of Old Gregorians (alumni):

Siblings
Second and subsequent siblings are eligible for a 10% concession on the school fees once they have joined the School.

Children of Old Gregorians
A concession of 2½% on the school fees is available for each child
No child would normally receive a fee concession of more than 50% of the total of the fees, including scholarships and bursaries.

Please contact our Registrar Mrs Anastasia Hatvany, for more information

Tel 01761 235103 or Email: registrar@downside.co.uk