Downside School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

Downside School is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, south of Bath. The school has a long and distinctive history, having been founded by the Benedictine community of St Gregory the Great in Douai, France, in 1606, before moving to England in the late eighteenth century and settling on its current site in 1814. The school adjoins a Benedictine monastery and is run as a registered charity, guided by its Catholic ethos and the Rule of St Benedict. The school aims to support every pupil in reaching their highest academic and personal potential, nurturing their individual gifts and encouraging a commitment to the service of others. Pupils come mainly from Catholic families in the south of England, as well as from further afield, including Europe, Central America, and the Far East, bringing together a broad mix of cultures and backgrounds. All pupils, whether boarding or day, are allocated to one of the school's houses, which provide pastoral care and a strong sense of community. Boys in the younger years join Powell House before moving to one of three senior houses, while girls are accommodated in Isabella House or Caverel House. The school supports pupils with a range of needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those for whom English is an additional language.

Pupils may not bring phones into main school buildings during working day. Rules vary by year group: younger pupils hand in devices to house staff, older ones store securely or confine use to Sixth Form Centre. Phones banned from chapel and church, headphones not allowed in public areas, smart watches may be removed.