Downside School

A warm welcome to you … to the website for Downside, one of England’s oldest and most distinguished Catholic schools.

A Benedictine school education is unique: with Christ at its centre it aims to educate young people to develop as future leaders for 21st Century society. Downside is uncompromising in the pursuit of academic ‘excellence’ and also aims to develop the character of your child, emphasising the importance of moral courage, integrity and service to others.

The highest standards are aimed for in sport, both in terms of performance and sportsmanship, while our tradition of inspired productions in the arts is second-to-none. The school endeavours, in addition, to provide your child with what may be referred to as a sense of ‘the poetry of life’, a sense of its beauty, form, mystery and joy. Everyone who comes here remarks on the happy atmosphere and I sincerely hope that you will come and see it for yourself. It is truly a remarkable, inspiring place.

Downside School’s vision – as a leading Catholic School – is to be a bright light in the world of education, illuminating the lives of young people and inspiring service in the world through experience of Benedictine culture. It enables pupils and staff to develop their own identity through experience of a community with Christ as its centre.

Our aims:

1. To guide pupils and staff to encounter Christ through experience of a Benedictine community of faith
2. To be uncompromising in the pursuit of academic excellence
3. To foster a culture of unselfish love, integrity, humility and leadership through service
4. To develop the character and confidence of young people through sport and extra-curricular opportunities
5. To develop the school community’s facilities and resources through strategic stewardship