Downside School

"At Downside, pupils grow in confidence and are encouraged to develop their unique gifts, motivated by the joy of learning."

Founded in 1614 and based just 25 minutes from the World Heritage City of Bath, Downside is one of England’s oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools. We are home to 360 pupils where boarders and day pupils share six Houses, four for boys and two for girls. We welcome pupils from overseas and currently have 27 different nationalities represented. We are committed to working in partnership with families and to providing an environment which nurtures young people of integrity who can think for themselves, stand up for their beliefs, and act to make a positive difference in the world.

Our School is set in 500 acres of beautiful English countryside with extensive facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a 24/7 Health Centre, and a Performing Arts Centre housing a 430-seat Theatre and a Recording Studio.

All pupils benefit from our boarding ethos whether they are boarders, as 80% are, or day pupils, with all that means in terms of friendships, independence and life skills. Whilst Catholic, we welcome pupils and parents of all faiths who set store by emphasising the importance of moral courage, integrity and service to others.

We are uncompromising in the pursuit of academic excellence. We aim for the highest standards in our extensive and exciting extra-curricular programme with over 100 activities.

Pupils achieve impressively in the STEM subjects, and the vast majority of our pupils gain entry to their first choice of university. Typical destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, Durham, Warwick and Edinburgh.

Weekends are busy and purposeful, where pupils are engaged in a wide variety of activity options: clubs, games, sporting fixtures, socials, trips out and Sunday Mass. With all this on offer, there is never ‘nothing to do’! Quite the opposite.

• Co-Ed
• Day, Weekly/Flex, Boarding
• 6th Form, Senior