Downsend School
Leatherhead, Surrey, South East · KT22 8TJ
Founded in 1891, Downsend School in Leatherhead has grown into a medium-sized independent day school of around 813 pupils, spanning ages 6 to 16. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its highest grade of 'excellent' for both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. Notably, around a third of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to working with a range of learning needs. Entry at 11+ is available, and scholarships span academic, music, drama, sport and all-rounder routes.
813
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£29,595
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 6-16
- Pupils
- 813
- Location
- Leatherhead, Surrey, South East
- Website
- www.downsend.co.uk
- Telephone
- 01372 372197
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Executive Head Mrs Bex Tear
Latest results
Attainment 8
61
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
77%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
44%
Teaching & academics
Results sit comfortably above the national picture: an Attainment 8 score of 61 against a national average of 46.9, and 77% of pupils securing grade 5 or above in English and Maths, well ahead of the 47% seen nationally. At the top end, 44% of grades fall in the 9-7 range. The GCSE curriculum is broad, with the three separate sciences, History and Drama among popular choices, alongside French and Spanish.
Sixth form
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 33.44%
- EHC plans
- 0.49%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport is a clear feature of school life, with football, swimming, cricket and hockey forming the core programme. Drama also has a visible place, supported both as a scholarship route and as a popular GCSE subject.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1891
- Boarding
- No
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £25,458 - £29,595
Some hardship bursaries offered via Cognita
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 13 January 2026
The last word
A strong-performing day school that pairs results well above national averages with genuine breadth and a notable willingness to support pupils who learn differently.
The Passmate verdict
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Downsend School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Downsend School located?
Downsend School is located at 1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8TJ.
What type of school is Downsend School?
Downsend School is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend Downsend School?
Downsend School has approximately 813 pupils on roll.
What is Downsend School's inspection rating?
Downsend School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 13 January 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.