Applying for your visa for UK boarding school
FAQs & Resources, School Admissions, Students
Congratulations on securing your place at a UK boarding school! You’re probably curious about what comes next. Before you start your term or even come
Academic Families works with more than 400 schools throughout the UK, and we have become experts at matching children to the right boarding school for them in order to ensure each student thrives.
We're delighted to present one of our partner schools:
Downside School in Somerset, England.
“To be a bright light in education and to inspire service in our world.”
Deeply embedded in our philosophy of learning, and also in the Benedictine tradition, is the idea of transformation. The purpose of education is to transform us, all of us, into our best possible selves. It is, therefore, the magnitude of the change that matters, not the final result as measured in a comparative table. However, when our results – academic, sporting, cultural – are measured comparatively, they prove to be excellent.
Public Examination Results 2026
2026 Subject and University Destinations:
The aim is to ensure that every pupil finds a sport or physical activity in which they can participate, excel and learn the values of being part of a team.
The main sports for boys are Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. The main sports for girls are Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. Pupils can also participate in Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Football. Golf, Rugby 7s, Swimming and Table Tennis.
45% international pupils including 26 different nationalities. Our overseas pupil hail from many different corners of the world, each bringing with them their own cultural identities to share with new friends they make here. As a boarding school first and foremost, pupils can be confident that the school will be just as busy and purposeful at the weekends as during the week.
Downside offers extensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for all pupils. The ‘full immersion’ experience begins immediately and, in this way, natural language acquisition starts to take place from day one. English as a Second Language (ESL) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is also offered.
School life revolves around five houses. Year 7 and 8 boys join Smythe and will either continue their senior years in Smythe or move to the other senior boys’ Houses, Barlow and Roberts. Girls’ join Isabella in Year 7 and stay there until the end of Year 13, or they can move to Caverel from Year 9 onwards.
Downside is a seven-day-a-week community and with that brings friendships and the sense of belonging which is at the very heart of pastoral care.
Rich weekend programmes are offered including sporting activities, movie nights, Saturday feasts and trips to Bath.
You'll probably have many questions about the exciting times that lie ahead. We are here to reassure you and support your decision to educate your child in the UK.
Message us via Live Chat or request a callback and one of our team members will contact you whenever you prefer.
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