Somerset
Downside School
Dependable results for a comprehensive intake; the journey is the main thing to weigh.
What the data says
Published data, read plainly. It tells you what to check next; it does not guarantee a place or replace your local authority’s admissions guidance.
Academic signal is not available for this school phase in our current dataset.
No Progress 8 data is available for this school in the years we hold.
Admissions realism depends on your home postcode and the school's published allocation data. Enter your postcode on this page to get a more specific assessment, and always verify the latest policy on the school's official admissions page.
This school has a Roman Catholic religious character. Admissions may prioritise pupils who meet faith criteria. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) may be required.
Watch-outs
- Faith admissions criteria apply (Roman Catholic). A Supplementary Information Form may be required. Evidence of faith practice may be needed.
What to do next
- Verify the school's official admissions policy
- Download and review the Supplementary Information Form
- Book an open day or school visit
- Add this school to your shortlist and compare with backup options
Admissions and catchment
Independent schools run their own admissions outside the council process, so there is no catchment area or last offer distance to compare against. Registration and assessment dates are on the school’s website.
Performance over time
Attainment 8 over time
University destinations
The Department for Education does not publish Oxbridge, Russell Group or top-third university destinations for independent schools.
Entry, tests and fees
Entrance test
Tuesday 19th January 2027 Year 7-10 Scholarship Assessments (Academic and Sport)
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Fees
Day | £8,070 per term | £10,345 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Day Plus (2 nights) | £9,830 per term | £12,725 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Day | £8,070 per term | £10,345 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Day Plus (3 nights) | £10,710 per term | £13,915 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Day Plus (2 nights) | £9,830 per term | £12,725 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Day Plus (3 nights) | £10,710 per term | £13,915 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Full Boarding | £13,450 per term | £17,995 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Junior Boarding (Years 7 & 8) £ 13,450
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Full Boarding | £13,450 per term | £17,995 per term
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Bursaries and scholarships
For families who may struggle to meet the full fee payment there is the option to apply for a means-tested bursary and you can apply for this regardless of whet…
Source · checked 28 September 2026
As a guide, scholarships are potentially worth up to 40% of the fees (for new pupils from September 2027), or cover music and art lessons.
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Admissions
Following registration, we invite all candidates to complete a CAT4 assessment and attend an interview.
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Admission for boys and girls to Downside is normally at 11+ into the First Form (Year 7), at 13+ into the Third Form (Year 9), or at 16+ into the Lower Sixth (Y…
Source · checked 28 September 2026
Copied from the school's and test organisers' own pages; check them before registering or applying.
Historical results
| Year | Pupils | Att8 | P8 | 5+ E&M | EBacc % | EBacc APS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | 59 | 32.7 | — | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.3 |
| 2023/2024 | 68 | 32.3 | — | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.3 |
| 2022/2023 | 65 | 28.7 | — | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.9 |
| 2021/2022 | 75 | 35.9 | — | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.4 |
Nearby and similar schools
Other secondary schools in Somerset for local comparison.
School information
| URN | 123910 |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Phase | Not applicable |
| Type | Other independent school |
| Gender of entry | Mixed |
| Age range | 11-18 |
| Headteacher | Head Master Michael Randall |
| Trust | — |
| Admissions | Not applicable |
| Religious character | Roman Catholic |
| Postcode | BA3 4RJ |
| Latest pupils | 59 |
| FSM eligible | — |
Contact and identifiers
Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 4RJ
www.downside.co.uk1761235100| DfE number | 6021 |
| UKPRN | 10008200 |
| Opened | 1 Jan 1945 |
| GIAS updated | 10 Feb 2026 |
Data sources and freshness
| Official record updated | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Latest KS4 year | 2024/2025 |
| Latest KS2 year | — |
| Ofsted published | — |