“”Their growing maturity is apparent in Year 8 and strong bonds are formed as an entire year group - which makes leaving an emotional farewell!
Mrs Collins
Parent
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Senior success
We are completely independent. This means we will always focus on finding a senior school which is just the right fit for your child. We have great links with all the senior schools in this area as well as many prestigious schools further afield.
Years 7 & 8
Their bright futures
The Downs’ children are high-flyers when it comes to academic achievements. At the same time we nurture social skills, confidence and a positive attitude. This is what makes them really stand out from the crowd when applying for senior school.
Senior school
Preparing for the next step
Getting into their first-choice senior school matters. That’s why from Year 4 onwards we dedicate lesson time to supporting this process. When our children know the exact school they’re aiming for, we help guide them with specific preparation.
Latest stats For 2022 leavers...
…95% were given their first choice senior school
…66% were awarded scholarships.
…32 Year 8 leavers, stepped confidently into their next adventure.
...a range of 12 different senior schools were selected.
…95% were given their first choice senior school
…66% were awarded scholarships.
…32 Year 8 leavers, stepped confidently into their next adventure.
Destination schools
Children from The Downs have gone on to achieve great things, in great schools. The list of destination school places past students have secured demonstrates our focus on supporting our children with whichever senior school they set their sights on - from local to prestigious, world-renowned we help every child find the right school for them.
List of destination schools:
Badminton | Blundell's | Bristol Grammar School | Cheltenham College |
Clifton College | Clifton High | Downside | Eton College |
Marlborough College | Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Redmaids' High School | Sherborne Boys |
Sidcot | Winchester College | Wycliffe College |
Year 7 & 8
The gift of time
Navigating senior school is particularly difficult today with additional stresses like social media and technology. We believe continuity and familiar, warm surroundings have a huge impact on children’s confidence and long-term wellbeing. These two years extend their childhood and give our children the physical and emotional space to build the best foundation on which to build their senior school careers.
A recipe for senior success
Embedding confidence
Year 7 and 8 is a shifting time for children. Responsibilities and expectations increase, but so do freedoms. We address the complexity of this shift head on, both challenging and supporting our Seniors so they leave us with the foundations needed to navigate whatever comes next.
Upping the ante
We ask Seniors to take on leadership responsibilities, this includes mentoring younger year groups. A balance is struck between engaging students in more real-world issues while continuing to ensure we offer a safe, supportive learning environment.
Handing over the reins
There’s a common room for children to socialise and develop their independence as well as the option to be more involved in decision making. It’s a great chance to test their negotiation skills and have a real-life chance to make an impact to the future of our school.
Aiming high
Preparation for senior school entry intensifies with a keen focus on aiming for the schools at the top of their list. We’ll introduce interview practice as well as revision guidance and familiarity with the exam process.
For the love of learning
We know how important it is to stay engaged and enthused by learning. Lessons in Year 7 and 8 are pitched to challenge our students, getting them thinking outside of the box. We bring in visiting speakers and introduce formal projects to solidify individual and collaborative presenting skills.
