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Downe House

Downe House is a world-class all-girls’ boarding school in the UK, offering a traditional full-boarding education with a modern twist. With a focus on excellence and the individual, girls are encouraged to make the most of the exceptional academic, co-curricular and enrichment opportunities on offer and to create their own paths, authentic to themselves.

What makes a Downe House girl? The answer is in the Downe House DNA:

  • Collaboration
  • Resilience
  • Creativity
  • Aspiration
  • Compassion
  • Communication
  • Outward looking
  • Digital Ready
Downe House Upper School Pupils with Teacher
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In the classroom, on the pitch, on stage and everywhere in between, these values are the hope, aim and aspiration for every girl in the school. However, there is no ‘typical Downe House girl’. Upon stepping through the school gates, every student is treated and celebrated as an individual. Whether she is an artist with an aptitude for mathematics, a scientist with a love of music, or an athlete with an interest in politics, Downe House will introduce, nurture and encourage every student’s passion.

The dynasty of Down House women who preceded, and the sheer variety of the career paths and achievements of our alumnae is testimony to our ethos. They all carry with them the imprint of the Downe House DNA.

At a glance

Established in 1907, Downe House is a traditional boarding and day school with a modern approach for girls aged 11-18. Situated in a beautiful Berkshire 110-acre woodland estate, Downe House offers family-friendly boarding balanced with an exceptional range of opportunities. Downe House has been a Microsoft Showcase School since 2018.

Global outlook

We have a strong global outlook that prepares our young women to be world-ready, offering them opportunities to study and work abroad. In Year 8, all girls spend a term at our school in France, and in years 10 and 12, girls can take part in our Global Exchange Programme, with 16 schools across five continents. The Sixth Form takes this further, offering global internships, which in 2023/24 featured more than 25 internships spanning five continents, alongside a Mini MBA, the Ivy House Leadership Award and our Sixth Form Interview Training Programme, which uses VR and AI technology. Girls leave Downe House with confidence - empowered to succeed.

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Downe House Classroom 2-1

Academic

Academically, Downe House encourages ambition and ignites a love of learning through a supportive community. The curriculum includes the study of English, History, Geography, Religious Studies, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Latin, Greek, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Design and Technology, Information & Communication Technology, Music, Art, Drama and Theatre Studies, Food Technology and Textiles. In addition, Classical Civilisation, Business Studies, Sports Science, Politics, Economics, Photography and History of Art are offered at A Level. Leiths Food & Wine Certificate is also offered to girls in the Sixth Form.

Academically, we encourage ambition and ignite a love of learning through a supportive community. Although personal triumphs and individual achievements are the most celebrated within the School, the foundation of academic success is evident from our GCSE and A Level results. In 2023, at I/GCSE 81% of grades were 9-7 and remarkably 58% achieved grades 9-8 (A**-A*). At A Level, 84% of pupils achieved A* to B grades with the A*/D1/D2 percentage remaining consistently high, at 64%. These outstanding results enabled our girls to secure places at some of the world’s top universities.

Pastoral Care

“Downe House was everything we hoped for in the next step for our daughter’s education. You have evidently done a wonderful job of creating the right environment to foster achievement and happiness.” (Current parent, 2021)

Downe House was founded as ‘a school where every individual within the community matters’, and this has not changed. We work in partnership with parents to ensure that every Downe House girl leaves School with a lifelong intellectual curiosity, the confidence that she can face life’s challenges, and a steadfast place in a lively school community.

Boarding

Downe House offers idyllic accommodation onsite, with a wealth of activities as part of our boarding model. So well-suited to the needs of a busy modern family that over 90% of girls are boarding students. Offering both boarding and day places, Downe House provides every girl with the gift of time and space for extra-curricular activities balanced with important family time.

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Downe House Science 1

Fees per term (From September 2023)

£15,760 for boarders
£11,840 for day girls.

Admissions

Girls may enter the school at 11+, 12+ or 13+ upon successful assessment, interview and Common Entrance. Girls can also join the Sixth Form after completing our interview and entrance test.

Application for entry should be made well in advance. Prospective parents are asked to make an appointment to visit the School and meet the Headmistress prior to their daughter’s start date.

Scholarships

The School offers a number of Academic Scholarships at 11+, 12+, 13+ and for entry into the Sixth Form. Scholarships are also awarded in Music, Art and Sport (11+ and 13+) and Drama (13+ and 16+) and there are Headmistress’s Awards for outstanding all-round performers. As a Scholar or Exhibitioner, girls have access to our specialist Scholarship programme which offers a range of specialist enrichment activities to inspire her and extend her knowledge. A mentor is provided to guide and encourage her on her journey as well as important leadership opportunities, designed to stretch and challenge her. For more information on Scholarships please visit the website - https://www.downehouse.net/admissions/scholarships.

Bursaries

Downe House is committed to extending access to the education and welcoming girls who would otherwise be denied the opportunity of a boarding experience of the highest calibre and quality. For more information on Bursaries please visit our website - https://www.downehouse.net/admissions/bursaries.

Location

An easy drive from London takes you to our beautiful, secure school campus in the heart of rural West Berkshire. Our stunning 110-acre woodland estate overlooks the historic Berkshire Downs.

Girls enjoy the close proximity to other schools for match fixtures and enrichment events, as well as hosting and attending socials with local prep schools and independent schools such as Eton College, Radley College, Bradfield College and Harrow School.

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Downe House Art

Be a Downe House girl

As one Sixth Former summed up the experience, ‘I left Downe House with the feeling there was nothing I couldn’t achieve.’

Charitable status

Downe House School is a Registered Charity, number 1015059. Our aim is the provision of a sound and broadly based education for girls, which will equip them for university entrance and beyond.

 

Downe House Drama and Dance 3
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Downe House Drama 3
Downe House Sport - Swimming
Downe House Lower School Pupils 2 (1)
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School Videos

School Information

School Facts
  • Head - Mrs Emma McKendrick
  • School type - Girls School
  • Age Range - 11 -18
  • Pupil Numbers - 571 (549 boarders)
Address:
Hermitage Road,
Cold Ash,
Thatcham,
Berkshire
RG18 9JJ
 
Phone -  01635 200286

Downe House

  • Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7LD