Downside School begins an exciting new chapter

Downside School begins an exciting new chapter with a new Head and proposed purchase of the School and Monastery site

After seven years as Head, and ten years previously as Deputy, Andrew Hobbs will retire from Downside School at the end of August. During his tenure, he has overseen significant development across all areas of school life, championed academic excellence, and strengthened the school’s pastoral and boarding provision. His calm authority, personal commitment to pupils, and deep understanding of the school’s values will leave a lasting legacy.

From September 2025, Mike Randall will take on the role of Interim Head. As Deputy Head for the past seven years, he has played a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership of the school. He has been instrumental in driving academic success, ensuring that Downside is consistently ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally for value added, a testament to the school’s commitment to helping every pupil fulfil their potential. A selection process will take place in the Michaelmas Term for a permanent appointment of Head from September 2026.

Looking to the future, the School is in the process of raising money to purchase its site and the former Monastery from Downside Abbey. Securing these freeholds will help us unlock the enormous potential of the school and wider site, strengthening our long-term financial resilience. The Community of St Gregory the Great and the Downside Abbey General Trust (DAGT) will continue to own and care for the Grade I-listed Basilica Church, the heritage assets and Library, and remain committed to sharing these important resources with the School, visitors, academics and the wider Catholic Church.

The School’s senior leadership team and governors are exploring opportunities to expand our educational offering and diversify income. This includes a programme of courses for international pupils, both short and long term, a partnership with a Catholic school seeking to establish a Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit, and a nursery. Demand for SEN and nursery provision is growing locally, and both charities will benefit from shared resources and overheads.

Further projects are under consideration that will see other parts of the site used to generate revenue for the long-term benefit of the School and Abbey without compromising the setting or pupils’ enjoyment of the extensive grounds.

The School’s ambition is for the former Monastery to become a new boarding house as pupil numbers grow, or to serve as a retreat centre, heritage hotel or other appropriate accommodation.

John Ludlow, Chair of the Board of Governors, said:

“We are extremely fortunate at Downside to be part of a vibrant and supportive community, helping us move forward with confidence into this next stage of our history. The current school site was purchased in April 1814, and the cedar tree planted at the entrance still stands strong today. Despite the financial pressures currently facing all independent schools, we look to the future with confidence, courage and determination, committed to remaining a bright light in education and inspiring service in our ever-changing world.”