Downe House School Overview
Downe House is a leading UK independent school for girls aged 11–18, offering full and flexi-boarding and day options. Downe is recognised for academic excellence, outstanding pastoral support, and rich co-curricular opportunities, all with a focus on the individual.
Downe has been inspiring girls to succeed since it opened in 1907. The founding principles – that a school should meet the needs of young women by prizing individuals and engendering a strong sense of community – remain core to the School’s values today. Whilst proud of its traditions, Downe is innovative in approach and ambitious in outlook – with this reflected in personalised curricula, exceptional teaching, and first-class facilities.
Every student is valued as an individual – supported to forge her own path, with the confidence to be herself, whilst part of a warm, collaborative community. Downe’s immersive experience offers an impressive range of activities, societies and trips, allowing students to explore their interests and develop their talents to a high level across sport, the creative arts, music, drama, and dance.
Downe firmly believes that global awareness and experience matter and offers a sector-leading programme of opportunities to make students ‘world-ready’. In addition to delivering an outward-looking academic curriculum with a focus on digital expertise, the School offers the Mini MBA, Ivy House Leadership Award, and electives enabling students to gain valuable knowledge such as law and coding. Leadership qualities are also a focus, with girls able to take on roles of responsibility within every section of the School.
At Downe House, girls thrive within a strong, supportive community. Student well-being is paramount, and the school offers exceptional pastoral care, working in partnership with parents to ensure that every girl feels supported. The School’s core values are enshrined within the ‘Downe House DNA’: collaboration, resilience, aspiration, creativity, compassion, communication, and global-mindedness – a framework of expectations for students.
Students are encouraged and supported to be ambitious in their learning, and the foundation of academic success is evident in the strong results achieved in public examinations each year at both GCSE and A Level. An outstanding programme of preparation supports students in their applications for further study, with girls gaining places at top-ranking universities in the UK and overseas. Girls leave the school as confident leaders—empowered to succeed and part of an active and impressive network of alumnae which provides them with connections and friendships for life.
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Global Outlook and World-Ready Programmes
Global Schools Exchange Programme
Our Global Schools Exchange gives girls the opportunity to study at one of 17 partner schools overseas, as well as the rewarding experience of hosting students from these countries. This year’s destinations included South Africa, New Zealand, India, the United States, Sweden, China, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Brazil and Australia. The programme aims to provide exceptional opportunities for students to participate in the global community within the context of school and family life.
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.
Global Internship Programme
We believe an early introduction to global cultures and diverse work styles is vital. Open to Sixth Form students, this programme offers shadowing placements with organisations connected to our parent body and alumnae across the world. Recent placements have included Human Rights Law in the UK, Venture Capital in Zambia, Finance and Market Research in Hong Kong, Veterinary Medicine in Australia, Education in the Gulf, Marketing in London, Insurance and Audit in Germany, Sustainable Development in the UK, Women’s Rights and Mental Health in Canada, and Engineering and Chemical Industry Supply Chain in Thailand.
World Ready Programme
Downe House excels in preparing students for life beyond school. The World Ready Programme and digital portfolio of experiences includes the Mini MBA, Ivy House Leadership Award, VR and AI interview preparation, and MOS Certification in the Sixth Form.
Electives Programme
Older girls choose from a wide range of super-curricular electives including coding, Leiths Cookery School, Microsoft certification and Law, allowing them to broaden their skills, interests and real-world experience.
Academic Outcomes
In 2025, at I/GCSE 81% of grades were 9–7, with 66% at grades 9–8 (A–A*).
At A Level, 83% achieved A–B*, with 54% at A–A*.
These results enabled girls to secure places at top universities in the UK and overseas. Over 20% progressed to Oxford, Cambridge and leading London universities, studying subjects such as Aerospace Engineering, PPE, Classics, Mechanical Engineering and Digital Communications. An increasing number of girls also go on to overseas universities including McGill, Boston and IE.
Co-curricular Life and Boarding
We are proud that 53% of students learn a musical instrument, with over 80% studying more than one. All Remove (Year 7) girls sing in a choir and many continue their choral and instrumental studies throughout their time at Downe House.
Boarding provides an extended day and weekends filled with a rich and varied programme including music, dance, drama, art and sport, alongside activities such as paddle boarding, cookery, horse riding, fun swim and design clubs. A taster week is offered so all girls can explore the wide range of opportunities available.