the downs school edit
Bristol, Bristol, BS48 1PF
THe Downs School is set in beautiful North Somerset countryside, yet only 6 miles from Bristol, where boys & girls aged 4 to 13 can thrive in the open spaces & freedom. They enjoy an all round education, achieving a high academic standards in the classroom & national reputation on the Sports Field. Our aim is to nuture happy, caring & accomplished children.
School Overview Charlton House Wraxall Bristol Bristol BS48 1PF England Head's name Mr M A Gunn Telephone number +44 (0)1275 852008 Email address office@thedownsschool.co.uk Website http://www.thedownsschool.co.uk ' Gender profile: Coeducational Day/boarding type: Day Boys - Age Range & Pupil Numbers: Day: 4 to 13 years (165 pupils) Girls - Age Range & Pupil Numbers: Day: 4 to 13 years (99 pupils) Size: 264 pupils ISC association: IAPS Day fees per term: £2,970 to £4,590 Scholarships and bursaries: Available Religious affiliation: Church of England View inspection report ISC reference number:17853 DfE reference number:802/ 6001
The history of the downs The Downs School was founded in 1894 in a house overlooking the extensive parklands of Bristol known as The Downs. In 1927 it was relocated, according to the Headmaster of the time, Wilfred Harrison, to get away from the ‘incessant roar of traffic’ and the ‘nerve-racking turmoil of the city’. It was moved across the Clifton Suspension Bridge to Charlton House on the Tyntesfield Estate. In the autumn of 2002, the school and parklands was bought from the estate of Lord Wraxall for The Downs School Trust. The oldest part of Charlton House is the East Wing which is Tudor and probably built during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558 – 1603). There remain two arched windows, now internal, from this period. The front hall is Jacobean (James I: 1603 – 1625) but it was completely restored in 1883. The wonderful fireplace, ‘crude but spirited’, erected by Sir Edward Gorges in 1624 remains. It bears the arms of Gorges impaling Speke, fittingly the figures in the upper part representing Justice and Mercy. The Victorian Wing was added by the Gibbs family in 1883 and contained the smoking room, the billiard room and library. The original billiard table is now exhibited at Tyntesfield House. The panelling and stained glass windows are from 1877 and display the Gibbs coat of arms
fun days
Each year, the various houses in the school take it in turns to raise money for a charity of their choice. Last week it was Collingwood’s turn and they chose a fantastic way to banish those winter blues – Onesie day! The children had a fantastic day, wrapped up snugly in their onesies. The school was filled with tigers, monkeys, giraffes…there was even an adult sized dragon!
All the proceeds from the day will go to the BRI. This is somewhere close to Collingwood hearts as one of their old girls recently spent some time there battling leukaemia. In total, more than £275.00 was raised and a lot of fun was had. Well done to all involved