Downsend School Leatherhead yr3 admissions

[SchoolStuck]

Does anyone have experience of the admissions process for entry at year 3 at Downsend School in Leatherhead? What is the assessment like? Do kids tend to be tutored? Any idea on admission stats? I know it’s selective but hard to find any more information or get any sense of how selective it is. For context looking to move DD from state primary at year 3. Thanks!

@SchoolStuck did you get any info? We are keen to move our child to Downsend too. I'm also really interested to hear from other Downsend parents as would appreciate honest feedback on the school.

I would not recommend Downsend. It’s very much bums on seats rather than kids being valued. The headmaster is very arrogant and boastful. He often says negative things about other schools. More and more kids join classes. They’re never “full.” I’ve had 3 children there and have moved all 3 to other schools now. Bullying is rife and not dealt with. The number of kids leaving the senior school is a concern.

I don’t think it’s very selective, although I’ve heard they aren’t great with SEN so probably need some appearance of selection to manage that. I don’t know anyone who has applied and not been offered a slot, this is children already in the private sector though.

Personally I’d look at Chinthurst or CLFS as better local alternatives, depending on what you are looking for. Chinthurst less selective at 7+ but they are a feeder to Reigate Grammar School, if you aren’t in the 80% they send then I think year 6 can feel a bit weird. CLFS is usually harder to get a place at 7+ as a relatively small intake but then goes all the way through. RGS and CLFS have similar academic outcomes at GCSE and A-level.

Downsend isn’t selective in a strong academic way, but they will give themselves a caveat re behaviour and SEN. I know people very happy there who have moved from state.