Downsend School

[poordrygarden]

Wondered if anybody would be able to give me a current view of Downsend School?

I have 2 boys who are prep age (Y5 and 2) and we are looking to move them from our local state primary school - lovely teachers but the usual story: classes of 30 including some very disruptive kids, redoing the basics that many missed during Covid because they weren't able to home school etc.

The idea is that they'd go on to the senior school or move to a grammar if we find that financially we can't do it ... and if they make the cut!

They are both "able" but definitely not genius types. Not v sporty, but will have a go and really enjoy art, design and technology and coding.

We are going to the prep and senior school open day in September and wondered if there any issues to look out for or ask about when we go (eg staff turnover, kids leaving, discontent \ bullying). They are currently Y5 and Y2.

Please PM me if you'd rather not say publicly.

We live nearby and there are local kids that trot off happily there every day. My kids went to the feeder lodge in ashtead but did not transfer to the main site as the school did not offer enough support for learning difficulties. This was a while ago so may have changed. Also we did not like the big business approach and lack of local accountability due to it being part of the Cognita chain. I have a friend whose daughter started senior school recently and was shocked to find herself so much in the minority. Her parents had not been told how few girls there were going to be in her year. I think this was wrong of them. So do carefully check it is going to genuinely be a mixed year group if your kids stay into seniors.

@Annaren that's interesting, thank you.

I went to the open day and there were things I really liked, like the emphasis on technology and future skills as well as creative thinking, and other things that I didn't (sweets or cupcakes as a reward in secondary school ... what happened to house points?) but I found it hard to get a true read on what they are aiming for. The cognita video voiceover was a bit over the top - so I guess that was the same as your big business feel - but the head seemed very genuine.

They made quite a big deal of learning support during the day ... which I was surprised by as that's not what we are looking for but maybe they've had feedback that it was lacking.

I really don't know, for such a lot of money I wanted to love it, not be in two minds.

Have you got any recommendations?

Hey @poordrygarden Could I ask if you got more feedback and/or what decision you made about Downsend?

Hi @Wouldratherbeplaying we are currently looking at Ewell Castle. It seems great for one of our kids, the other child we are 50/50 whether to move him or not.

I had mixed comments about Downsend, some positive and some negative from what I remember but really because of my own impressions and what felt right fit my kids, we decided not to apply.

Thanks @poordrygarden We're also looking at Ewell Castle, really taken by the small classes and focus on nurturing/pastoral care etc. Good luck to you :-)

Have you looked at Shrewsbury House? Not everyone’s cup of tea but is a strong school for many reasons. Rokeby is another one.

I imagine it may be too far away and that you want an all through school but I’d really recommend Surbiton Prep for boys. I’ve been really impressed.