Downe House School

Innovative yet traditional, academic but with exceptional co-curricular opportunities, this is an all-girls’ day and boarding school with a family-friendly approach. Downe House values, challenges, supports and educates every pupil as an individual. We aim to help every girl discover and develop her individual strengths to the full, wherever that journey may take her.

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 student’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.

Academically, Downe House encourages ambition and ignites a love of learning through a supportive community. We are immensely proud of our consistently impressive exam results. In 2021, 84% of the grades achieved were A*-A (or equivalent) at A Level; at GCSE, 89% of grades were at 9-7 and 71% were graded 9-8. However, we place equal importance on equipping every girl with a well-established work ethic and a core set of traditional values, skill and beliefs that will allow her to flourish in today’s rapidly changing world.

Family-friendly boarding
Family-friendly boarding offers the best of both worlds for our pupils and their families by making the most of the extra time it offers for enrichment opportunities beyond the curriculum, as well as the advantages of confidence and independence they gain from living in such a supportive community. Our boarding model meets the needs of families with diverse circumstances, precisely because we work in close partnership with parents.

What makes Downe House special?
So many things make the difference at Downe House, and to name just a few:
~ The term spent at our school in France, the Downe House Sauveterre, a beautiful chateau that allows the students to experience French life, language and culture.
~ The Global Schools Exchange Programme with 16 partner schools across six continents
~ The innovative DH LINKS programme connecting girls with alumnae and parents, who generously offer invaluable careers-based support such as networking, internships and work shadowing opportunities.
~ The Elective Programme that provides super-curricular academic enrichment to challenge and stretch able pupils. Our holistic approach to wellbeing through the Learning for Life programme giving girls the tools for life to care for themselves as well as each other.
~ The World Ready Programme which maps out every pupil’s journey through the school to prepare her for the wider world. World Ready initiatives are layered into every aspect of school life through the curriculum and co-curricular activities with a whole raft of workshops, lectures, courses and events tailored for every stage of teenage development as girls progress up through the year groups.