Downe House School - Berks
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Downe House School - Berks

Hermitage Rd, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9JJ, United Kingdom

What is Downe House School like?

Downe House is one of the UK’s leading girls’ boarding schools. 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 and is a school that values excellent results. More importabtly, the wellbeing of girls is given great emphasis and pastoral care is second to none.

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. Leith’s Food & Wine Certificate is also offered to pupils in the Sixth Form. 

Sport is very strong, with lacrosse the main team sport, although hockey is also very popular and the tennis programme is one of the finest in the country. Performing Arts is also a strength with Trinity Arts Awards offered within the Drama curriculum as well as extra-curricular Speech and Drama and Dance opportunities, and high participation levels in Music outside the classroom too. There is a thriving Art department with textiles and photography also available in the Sixth Form.

There is also a Global Internship Programme as well as DH LINKS, the school’s comprehensive networking and careers initiative, along with a 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. 

The school has a strong Learning Skills department that offers one-to-one support for learners of English as an additional language.

Would Downe House be suitable for my daughter?

Downe House offers a complete boarding school experience on a beautiful campus in a safe, if somewhat isolated, location. The school offers idyllic accommodation on site, with a wealth of activities as part of the boarding model. 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. Girls need to be academically strong and willing to take part in all that the school has to offer both inside and outside of the classroom.

How can I apply to Downe House?

Pupils may enter the school at 11+, 12+ or 13+ upon successful assessment, interview and Common Entrance. Pupils can also join the Sixth Form after completing an interview and entrance test. Application for entry should be made well in advance.

Please contact us for advice on entry to Downe House and one of our experienced consultants would be delighted to help.

For information about applying to this school, please submit an enquiry

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School Information

Boy / Girl
Boy / Girl
Girls
Day / Boarding
Day / Boarding
Both
Number of pupils
Number of pupils
567
Age Group
Age Group
11 to 18
Day fees at sixth form
Day fees at sixth form
£35,520
Boarding fees at sixth form
Boarding fees at sixth form
£47,760
Exam results  2023 A Level A & A* grades
Exam results 2023 A Level A & A* grades
64.00%
GCSE level A & A* grades
GCSE level A & A* grades
81.00%