Address: Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ
Website: www.downehouse.net
Founded: 1907
Number of Pupils: 560
Ages: 11-18
Fees: Full boarding: £14,740 per term, Day: £10,960 per term
Head Teacher: Mrs Emma McKendrick
Religious Affiliation: Church of England
Entrance Procedure: Parents can register their daughter at any time from Year 6 onwards, but no later than June in the year prior to entry. Girls are then invited to an Assessment Day, an interview with the Headmistress and invited to sit scholarship exams as appropriate.
Contact: Mrs Angela Nutt, Registrar
Email:r[email protected]
School Visits: Families are welcome to visit Downe House by appointment or by attending an Open Morning. Either way, we aim to provide a visit which is tailored to each family’s interests with the opportunity to meet current girls and key staff as well as meeting the Headmistress.
The Curriculum
Alongside the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Languages and Sciences, there is the broadest possible choice of Humanities, Classics and Social Sciences, as well as ample opportunities for Creative and Performing Arts, Music, Sport.
Games & the Arts
We aim to foster a lifelong love of sport and physical activity and offer an exceptional range of sporting opportunities. Finding and nurturing a girl’s interests is our mission and there are many opportunities to explore her artistic talents.
Pastoral Care
The unique 3-Step Pastoral Care structure means that girls benefit from the very best specialised pastoral care and provision. As they move up through the three steps of the Lower School, the Upper School and the Sixth Form boarding houses, our dedicated Housestaff and Tutors tailor the care for each individual and meet the needs of the girls at each stage of their teenage development.
University Places
Pupils from the Upper Sixth leave us to take up places at top universities across the world, including the US and Canada. This year, over 26% will be going on to read STEM subjects with Politics, International Relations, Economics, Business, Modern Languages, English and creative and performing arts courses also being very well represented. With 98% of the grades at A Level and Pre-U being A* to B, and 84% of all grades being A*/A, there is every reason to praise the girls’ diligence and recognise the support that they had from both their teachers and their parents. We have no doubt that they will be great assets to their chosen universities and institutions.
Head Teacher’s Philosophy
Message from the Head: “I believe that as a school, we have a responsibility to provide our pupils with as many opportunities as possible – academic, co-curricular and pastoral to allow every girl to grow and develop, and to discover and build on her individual strengths.”
Outstanding Characteristics
So many things make the difference at Downe House:
- Family friendly approach to boarding
- Term in France for all Lower Fourth girls
- DH LINKS careers guidance
- Global Schools’ Exchange Programme
- Elective Programme which provides ‘super-curricular’ academic enrichment
- ‘Learning for Life’ – a holistic approach to wellbeing
- Work Ready Programme
