Downside School
Radstock, Somerset · BA3 4RJ
Downside School is a Catholic, Benedictine boarding and day school serving 334 pupils near Bath in Somerset, with a strong academic reputation and deep monastic heritage dating back centuries. The school combines rigorous traditional education with Benedictine values of community, service and spiritual development. It offers entry at 11, 13 and 16, with particular strength in sciences, languages and creative arts, alongside a vibrant co-curricular life centred on sport, music and outdoor education.
- →Benedictine Catholic ethos and chaplaincy life integrated throughout the school day
- →Boarding community with strong pastoral support across five well-established houses
- →Proximity to Bath and Bristol with excellent rail connections
- →Comprehensive co-curriculum including CCF, outdoor expeditions and service initiatives
- →Specialist provision in sciences and modern languages
Who thrives here
Pupils who value community, benefit from pastoral structure, and engage with a faith-based education model. Suited to boarders seeking stability and strong peer networks, and to academically motivated students pursuing traditional A-level pathways with opportunities for leadership and service.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Stratton-on-the-Fosse
Radstock, Somerset
BA3 4RJ
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Downside School?
Day fees at Downside School are approximately £31,035 per year (2024/25). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Downside School?
Downside School admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Downside School's exam results?
At Downside School, 20.6% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 52.3% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Downside School a boarding school?
Downside School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Downside School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Downside School “Good” (2018).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Strong pastoral care and house community structure
✓Benedictine values and Catholic ethos embedded authentically in daily life
✓Excellent breadth of co-curricular activity alongside academics
✓Outdoor education and expeditions programme
✓Staff accessibility and genuine interest in pupil development
Common concerns
!No recent Ofsted inspection limits external validation of current standards
!Relatively small sixth form may limit subject breadth and peer networks
!Rural location reduces immediate urban amenities and independence for pupils
!Limited published data on exam results and university destinations