Downsend School
School summary
Founded in 1891, Downsend School in Leatherhead has grown into a medium-sized independent for boys and girls aged 6 to 16. Its most recent ISI inspection rated the school excellent for both academic standards and personal development, with all compliance requirements met. Under Executive Head Mrs Bex Tear, the school combines a long-established history with a notably strong record at GCSE. A sizeable proportion of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to working with a range of learning needs.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
44%
National average 23%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 13 January 2026
Teaching & academics
GCSE results stand well above the national picture, with 44% of grades awarded at 9-7 compared with a national average of 23%. The curriculum is broad, spanning all three sciences, English Literature and Language, Mathematics, History, Drama and Physical Education, with French and Spanish offered as languages. This is a school whose attainment will reassure academically ambitious families.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Executive Head · Mrs Bex Tear
Beyond the classroom
Sport features prominently, with football, swimming, cricket and hockey among the main offerings. Scholarships are available in music, drama, sport and as an all-rounder, pointing to genuine breadth beyond the classroom.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1891
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 33.44%
- EHC plans
- 0.49%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £25,458 - £29,595
Some hardship bursaries offered via Cognita
Schools nearby
Little Downsend Leatherhead
Leatherhead, South East
City of London Freemen's School
Surrey, South East
Kingswood House School
Epsom, South East
Epsom College
Epsom, South East
Little Downsend Epsom
Epsom, South East
The Children's Trust School
Tadworth, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A long-established Surrey independent where strong GCSE results meet a clear commitment to wider development and inclusive support. Hardship bursaries and a range of scholarships widen the door a little.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Downsend School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.