What makes Downe House? The answer is in the Downe House DNA:
- Collaboration
- Resilience
- Creativity
- Aspiration
- Compassion
- Communication
- Outward looking
- Digital Ready
In the classroom, on the pitch, on stage and everywhere in between, these values are the hope, aim and aspiration for every pupil in the School. Upon stepping through the School gates, every pupil 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 pupil’s passion. The dynasty of Downe 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
Downe House honours an exceptional programme to nurture global citizens and expands the pupils’ cultural horizons. Every pupil in the Lower Fourth (Year 8) spends a term at our school in France, Downe House Sauveterre, a beautiful chateau that allows the students to experience French life, language and culture. Older pupils have the opportunity to take part in the Global Schools’ Exchange Programme, studying abroad in one of 15 partner schools across 6 continents. There is also a Global Internship Programme as well as DH LINKS, the School’s comprehensive networking and careers initiative, along with our World Ready Programme, which is layered into every aspect of School life, tailored for every stage of development as pupils progress up through the year groups, to prepare them for the wider world.
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 pupils in the Sixth Form.
Pupils are also given the opportunity to stretch their learning beyond academic qualifications and traditional extra-curricular activities, to enable them to stand out from the crowd in the competitive recruitment world. Including the Wakefield Award, Mini MBA, Sixth Form Interview Programme using VR and AI technology, the Ivy House Leadership Award and so much more.
Although personal triumphs and individual achievements are the most celebrated within the School, the foundation of academic success is evident from the GCSE and A Level statistics. In 2023, at I/GCSE 81% of grades were 9-7 and remarkably 28% achieved 9 or more grades 9-8 (A*-A**). At A Level 84% of pupils achieved A* to B grades with 90% of students attending their preferred choice universities’. These outstanding results achieved places at some of the world’s top universities for our graduates.
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.” (DH 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 pupil 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 pupils are boarding students. Offering both boarding and day places, Downe House provides every pupil with the gift of time and space for extra-curricular activities balanced with important family time.
Boarding Age From: 11 | Boarding Age To: 18
| YEAR | FEE | EXTRAS INCLUDED IN FEES |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Full boarding £15,920 per term; Day £11,840 per term |
