Downe House School Overview
Downe House is a prestigious independent girls’ day and boarding school in Cold Ash, Berkshire. Set within a 110-acre estate, it offers a peaceful yet well-connected location just two miles from the M4, with easy access to Heathrow Airport and central London. Founded in 1907 with only three pupils, the school now educates around 580 girls aged 11 to 18. It is widely recognised for its academic strength and supportive, all-round education.
The school promotes personal ambition and individual growth, captured in its motto: Whoever you are… Whoever you want to be… Be a Downe House girl. Girls are encouraged to aim high, take on challenges, and develop confidence and independence. Notable alumnae include the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.
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Downe House School Courses And Programmes
Downe House focuses on developing independent thinkers with a lasting curiosity and the confidence to tackle challenges beyond school. Academic ambition is central to the school’s ethos, but the emphasis goes beyond results. The goal is to foster intellectual growth, self-belief, and a lifelong love of learning.
The curriculum is broad and flexible, supported by expert teaching and excellent facilities. Each girl is matched with an Academic Tutor who meets with her weekly to monitor progress, set goals, and nurture wider academic interests. As girls move through the Lower School, Upper School and Sixth Form, their tutor changes to reflect their evolving needs. This structure ensures tailored support at every stage of their education.
Lower School (Years 7–8)
The curriculum in the Remove and Lower Fourth focuses on building strong foundations across a wide range of subjects. All girls study English, Maths, Science, French, History, Geography, Latin, Religious Studies, Art, Music, Drama, Design and Technology, Computing, PE, PSHE (Learning for Life), and Current Affairs. Optional extras such as instrument or singing lessons, Speech and Drama, tennis, and squash coaching are available during prep time. Teaching groups are mixed-ability, with setting in some core subjects.
Upper School (Years 9–11)
In the Upper Fourth, girls begin shaping their GCSE pathways. The core curriculum includes English, Maths, the Sciences, Humanities, and PSHE. Pupils choose from creative options (Art, DT, Drama, Music) and languages (French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Latin, Classical Greek, Italian, Russian). Subject combinations are flexible, allowing each girl to pursue her interests while maintaining academic rigour. GCSE and I/GCSE courses run through Years 10 and 11.
Sixth Form (Years 12–13)
Most Sixth Form pupils take three A Levels, with a fourth optional for some. Subjects range from the sciences and humanities to languages, arts and social sciences. Options include Art & Design (in various specialisms), Psychology, Politics, Economics, Latin, Further Maths, and more. Pupils can also pursue the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). All Sixth Formers benefit from the Futures Programme, preparing them for university and life after school.
Downe House School Fees
Fees for 2024/25 – Inclusive of VAT
| Full boarding fees per term | £19,430 |
| Day boarding fees per term | £14,450 |
Downe House School Boarding And Pastoral Care
Downe House offers a well-structured and supportive boarding environment tailored to each stage of a girl’s development. The school’s model combines strong pastoral care with an exceptional community of staff and alumnae, creating a foundation for girls to thrive both personally and academically. The boarding journey begins in the Lower School (Years 7 and 8), where pupils live on a dedicated mini-campus. In Year 8, every girl spends a term at Downe House’s own satellite school in Veyrines, France, where they are immersed in French language and culture. As seen over the years, it develops confidence, independence, and global awareness.
From Year 9, girls move into one of five Upper School houses, joining both new pupils and those continuing from the Lower School. This structure promotes friendship, equality, and increased responsibility. Sixth Form students then move into a dedicated house, bringing the entire year group together and preparing them for life beyond school. Across all stages, the focus remains on developing self-worth, independence, and compassion.
Pastoral care is a core strength at Downe House. The school actively supports girls’ wellbeing through several initiatives, including AS Tracking, a digital tool to monitor emotional and social development, and the “Finding Balance” programme, which equips girls with strategies for self-care and peer support. The school also runs “Girls on Board,” a unique programme helping pupils navigate the complexities of teenage friendships. Alongside regular talks from mental health experts, these efforts ensure that every girl is guided to take ownership of her wellbeing, with consistent support from house staff, tutors, and parents.
Downe House School Extracurricular Activities
Downe House offers an exceptional range of activities beyond the classroom, using the extended boarding day and weekends to full advantage. Pupils can explore new interests or deepen existing passions through options such as Dance Academy, Science Society, Young Enterprise, DofE, Basketball Club, six choirs and ensembles, LEITHS cookery, debating, and a wide variety of creative clubs including art, ceramics, and crafts.
The school strongly encourages initiative. If a club doesn’t exist, pupils are supported in starting one. Many thriving societies are entirely pupil-led, including Film Club, Medical Society, Knitting Club, Gay Straight Alliance, and Model United Nations. Boarding house activities add to the mix, with informal clubs for cookery, reading, and current affairs, helping girls build confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of community.
