The Downs School

Ofsted Reports

Pupil Premium Information

Year 9 House Competition

Our recent Year 9 House competition to design a clear, imaginative and striking Christmas Card which would become the official card sent out by Mrs Houldey, headteacher, on behalf of the school produced a huge number of entries.

Mrs Houldey said,
.... the competition was a real tribute to our students' enthusiasm and commitment. It was great fun looking at all the different entries.

Our winner will win house points for herself and also for her house which is Chiltern.

Year 9 Stratford Visit

A small group of Year 9 students, accompanied by their teachers, went to Stratford on a Shakespeare Experience Trip.

They first visited Mary Arden’s, Shakespeare’s mother, farm. Here they found animals, breeds which would have been around in Shakespeare’s time, and crops and flowers. The group next visited parts of Stratford itself including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a specially arranged back stage tour.

Finally, the last stop was Shakespeare’s grave in Holy Trinity Church. It was a great day with lots to see and do. Everyone had a fantastic time.

Children in Need Fundraising

This year for Children in Need, staff put particular emphasis on sharing the fun of raising money with students for this incredible cause. Staff represented their Houses in a karaoke competition, including a theme of pyjamas and onesies!

All The Downs School Houses took part in the lunchtime entertainment and we had a record number of staff members being involved, showing just how dedicated everyone is at representing our respective Houses.

All staff did brilliantly but as with any competition there can only be one winner! The students screamed for their house and favourite act and it was quite clear that Aldworth were the winners with their very loyal following! Well done to all who took part and thank you to all the students who came to support them!!

Christmas Fair - 13th December 2013

We are delighted to announce that the school will be holding a Christmas Fair run by students and staff on Friday, 13th December. The fair will be raising money for Save the Children’s Syria campaign and will take place in and around the main hall from 5pm until 8pm. The students are aware of the important work of this charity in providing food, safe water, medicine and shelter to refugee children and their families and want to help by raising as much money as they can.

The intention is to create a fun, festive evening for all students and parents, with lots of interesting stalls, fun activities, Christmas food and refreshments, and Christmas entertainment.

We are currently seeking items for a ‘silent auction’ (where people submit a written bid rather than bidding verbally). If you, or even perhaps your place of work, has something to donate that could help us raise money we would be extremely grateful. Examples might be a meal for two at a restaurant, a Christmas hamper, a weekend away in a cottage; anything you think people might bid money for.

We are also seeking donations for the Tombola to be brought in on the day, including wrapped presents to add to the surprise.

If you feel you could help in any way with a donation for the auction or tombola, or indeed have an idea for a stall you would like to run yourself, we would be delighted to hear from you via email.

We hope to see you all for an evening of family festive fun on the 13th December!