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Somerset

Downside School

Somerset·Not applicable·South West·Other independent school·BA3 4RJ
URN: 123910
CompareDfE profile
32.7
Attainment 8
National avg ≈ 46.4 · 2024/2025
n/a
Progress 8
No published value in available years
0.0%
5+ Eng & Maths
Grade 5+ in both · 2024/2025
0.0%
EBacc entry
% entering EBacc · 2024/2025
33.8
A level APS
Average points per entry · 2024/2025

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 outcomes
Academic data not assessed

Academic signal is not available for this school phase in our current dataset.

Pupil progress
Limited progress data

No Progress 8 data is available for this school in the years we hold.

Getting a place
Admissions realism: not yet assessed

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

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

Independent school

Entrance test

Test date19 January 2027(11+ · September 2027 entry)

Tuesday 19th January 2027 Year 7-10 Scholarship Assessments (Academic and Sport) Source · checked 28 September 2026

Fees

Day£8,070 a term

Day | £8,070 per term | £10,345 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Day Plus (2 nights)£9,830 a term

Day Plus (2 nights) | £9,830 per term | £12,725 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Day£10,345 a term

Day | £8,070 per term | £10,345 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Day Plus (3 nights)£10,710 a term

Day Plus (3 nights) | £10,710 per term | £13,915 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Day Plus (2 nights)£12,725 a term

Day Plus (2 nights) | £9,830 per term | £12,725 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Day Plus (3 nights)£13,915 a term

Day Plus (3 nights) | £10,710 per term | £13,915 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Full Boarding£13,450 a term

Full Boarding | £13,450 per term | £17,995 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Junior Boarding (Years 7 & 8)£13,450 a term

Junior Boarding (Years 7 & 8) £ 13,450 Source · checked 28 September 2026

Full Boarding£17,995 a term

Full Boarding | £13,450 per term | £17,995 per term Source · checked 28 September 2026

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursariesyes

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

ScholarshipsAcademic, Music, Sport, Art, Drama, All-rounder, Design, Choral

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

Entrance assessmentCAT4, Interview

Following registration, we invite all candidates to complete a CAT4 assessment and attend an interview. Source · checked 28 September 2026

Entry points11+, 13+, 16+

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

Admissions pageFees page

Copied from the school's and test organisers' own pages; check them before registering or applying.

Historical results

YearPupilsAtt8P85+ E&MEBacc %EBacc APS
2024/20255932.7—0.0%0.0%3.3
2023/20246832.3—0.0%0.0%3.3
2022/20236528.7—0.0%0.0%2.9
2021/20227535.9—0.0%0.0%3.4

Nearby and similar schools

Other secondary schools in Somerset for local comparison.

Somerset hub
The Castle School
Ofsted OutstandingAttainment 8 53.4Progress 8 +0.60
Compare with Downside School
Sexey's School
Ofsted GoodAttainment 8 51.5Progress 8 +0.33
Compare with Downside School
Huish Episcopi Academy
Ofsted InadequateAttainment 8 50.6Progress 8 -0.13
Compare with Downside School
The Blue School
Attainment 8 49.7Progress 8 +0.19
Compare with Downside School
Haygrove School
Ofsted GoodAttainment 8 48.8Progress 8 +0.21
Compare with Downside School

School information

URN123910
Local authoritySomerset
RegionSouth West
PhaseNot applicable
TypeOther independent school
Gender of entryMixed
Age range11-18
HeadteacherHead Master Michael Randall
Trust—
AdmissionsNot applicable
Religious characterRoman Catholic
PostcodeBA3 4RJ
Latest pupils59
FSM eligible—

Contact and identifiers

Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 4RJ

www.downside.co.uk1761235100
DfE number6021
UKPRN10008200
Opened1 Jan 1945
GIAS updated10 Feb 2026

Data sources and freshness

Official record updated10 Feb 2026
Latest KS4 year2024/2025
Latest KS2 year—
Ofsted published—