Downside School is delighted to have been awarded Outstanding across all sections of the Catholic Schools Inspectorate (Overall Effectiveness, Catholic Life and Mission, Religious Education, and Collective Worship).
We are pleased to share the key findings:
- Downside School provides a holistic education which respects the dignity of every member of the community and is underpinned by its Benedictine values.
- The religious education faculty is a strong team and all members of the faculty contribute extremely effectively to students’ moral, ethical and spiritual formation.
- Positive relationships between staff and students across all year groups are evident which creates an environment where students are able to learn in a purposeful way and serve others.
- The level of pastoral care provided by all members of the community is exemplary and is an outstanding strength of the school which allows students to flourish.
- The chaplaincy team are a visible presence in the school and provide excellent role models.
- Students have a profound understanding of their distinctive Catholic identity and are authentic witnesses to their faith. They are encouraged to show respect for themselves and for others and feel highly valued for who they are and what they achieve.
- Both day students and those who board thrive through their holistic education and consequently feel a genuine sense of care.
- Students respond extremely positively to the call to service to others and recognise how helping others enriches them in their own lives.
- Prayer punctuates daily life and students have a deep understanding of what their faith means to them. The Lectio Divinia group enables students to reflect in a meditative way, away from the busyness of school life and is another exceptional feature.
- Downside School goes to great lengths to provide a range of full and inspiring activities which clearly impacts on every aspect of school life.
- Staff commitment at all levels is exceptional. They readily serve the community and participate willingly in activities and routines which promote the school’s high expectations and standards.
- Staff actively encourage students to try their best and they accomplish many outstanding outcomes. This underpins the belief that each student has gifts and talents which are unique to them.
- There is a well-established culture of support which encourages all students to be the best version of themselves in every aspect of their lives.
- The pastoral care of students is outstanding and allows students to flourish.
- Staff are exemplary role models, and they show respect and compassion for the individual in all their dealings with students.
- The headteacher has an inspirational vision for Catholic education and provides exceptional leadership which is valued by all.
- Downside School has successfully created an environment where students can celebrate together with a deep sense of joy.
- Parents speak enthusiastically about the school’s caring and supportive ethos, one family describing ‘a wonderful school which puts service, grace and values at its heart’, and another commenting that it is ‘a fantastic school where children feel happy, safe and able to develop both spiritually and academically’.
- Leaders and governors have a deep understanding of their role in leading a community of faith. Senior leaders inspire others through their modeling of exemplary practice.
- Senior students serve as excellent role models for younger students and support them willingly on their faith journey. They carry out their responsibilities joyfully and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the community.
- All leaders, the chaplaincy team and Lectio leaders provide outstanding training opportunities for prayer and liturgy across the school which is welcomed by all members of the community.
- Outcomes in religious education over the last three years have been outstanding.
- Students treat each other with respect, and all listen attentively when discussing religious concepts and alternative views.
- The religious education faculty has a clear understanding of its role in supporting the moral, ethical and spiritual formation of students which is outstanding.