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10 January 2025
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
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How was Downside School, Alessandro?
Hello from Richmond!
In this interview, we stay in Somerset, where we have already reported on Max’s time at King’s Bruton. This time, we talk to Alessandro, a former pupil of Downside School in Stratton-on-the-Fosse. Alessandro gives us fascinating insights into his daily life, formative experiences, challenges, and special moments during his time in England.
Alessandro’s Start at Downside School
Alessandro, please introduce yourself
My name is Alessandro Eckes, I am 17 years old, and I attended Downside School in Somerset from early September 2023 to late June 2024. I even celebrated my 17th birthday there. Before that, I was a student at Pater-Rupert-Mayer-Gymnasium in Munich. Now I’m back at that school and preparing to do my Abitur (German university entrance exams) over the next two years.
How did you come up with the idea of attending a boarding school in England?
My father, who completed his GCSEs and A-Levels in England, inspired me. His stories about that time and how special it was for him sparked the desire in me to spend a year at a boarding school in Great Britain myself.
Why did you decide on Downside School in particular?
Von Bülow gave me three schools to choose from: Downside School, Eastbourne, and Bede’s. I wanted to visit these schools in person to see which one suited me best. So, we flew to England for a weekend. First, I looked at Bede’s, then Eastbourne. But the size of both schools overwhelmed me, and I felt it might be harder to find my footing there.
Then I visited Downside School and thought, “This is really my school!” I immediately felt at home. I was very impressed by the strong sense of community. Ultimately, it was my conversation with the Headmaster at Downside that sealed the deal. His commitment and personal interest in having me at the school convinced me once and for all.
The first day at Downside School
What was your first day at Downside School like?
My first day at Downside School was very relaxed. I arrived with my parents and a friend from Zurich, whom I’ve known since childhood. It was reassuring to have someone there who spoke German and with whom I could talk—that made settling in much easier.
The day began with a church service. Downside is a very Christian, particularly Catholic school. After the service, I was shown to my room. Later, we played a bit of football with some classmates. Then everyone in my year group—my group was the Lower Sixth—went to lunch and dinner together. That helped us get to know each other and really arrive in the new environment.
Alessandro’s Life in a Boarding House at Downside School
The Roberts House crest, named after St. John Roberts
What were your house and your room like?
I lived in Roberts House, one of three boarding houses at Downside School with around 50 to 60 students. Each house had its own strengths. Smythe was very strong academically. Barlow was home to the athletes, excelling especially in football and rugby. Our house, Roberts, was more of an all-rounder, performing well both in sports and academics. But what really made Roberts stand out was its spirit—the strong sense of solidarity and the motivation to achieve something together as a house. There were times, a bit like in Harry Potter, when two houses would temporarily team up against another.
I had my own room for the entire year, although I did not have my own bathroom. In the younger years, 2nd and 3rd Form, students usually share a room. Starting from 4th Form, it gets more private, with larger areas divided by wooden partitions. From 5th Form onward, you usually have your own room—and more privacy. You could retreat there and leave your belongings when a “term” ended, without having to reorganize everything or move around constantly.
Wearing a school uniform was never an issue for me. In fact, I liked it. Everyone looked the same, which created a strong sense of belonging. It was almost funny if someone forgot their blazer—the teachers would sometimes give them a strange look. Of course, it depends on how you personally feel about it. Some people might not like wearing a tie, but for me it was just a normal part of everyday life.
Dressed smartly for school – Alessandro in his room
What was your relationship with your house parents like?
My relationship with my house parents in Roberts House was consistently positive. Our Housemaster, Mr. Freeman, was known for his relaxed attitude and easygoing approach to rules. Compared to the girls’ houses, where it was often stricter—like set times when they had to be in their house—our boys’ house was much more laid-back. If you forgot to sign in, meaning to mark yourself as present, Mr. Freeman would just swing by, give you a friendly reminder, and that was that.
Our two Housemistresses, Miss Muse and Miss Scott, were also very helpful. When I had to bake cookies for a charity event and wasn’t quite sure how to go about it, Miss Muse jumped in right away to help me plan everything. Once, during an Exeat weekend, I traveled to London and needed a taxi to Bath train station. Because the phone signal was poor and I still had a German SIM card, they helped me book a taxi. It turned out they knew someone who owned a taxi company. These sorts of situations showed how approachable they were and how easy it was to get help.
Did you ever feel homesick?
Homesickness was never a big issue for me. Because of the strong community and the many activities, I settled in quickly, and after barely three weeks, it already felt like I had been part of the school for years.
Friends to this day: Alessandro with two friends at a Roberts House dinner event
When did you first make friends?
I made friends quickly, including across different houses and year groups. We lived closely together in our house, spent time in the common room, and I had friends in both the Upper Sixth and the 5th Form. Sports also helped me form friendships—simply by talking or playing together, instead of sitting alone in my room without much to do.
Over Christmas, these friendships became closer, and some of them still exist today. Two friends from the Upper Sixth came to Munich last year especially for Oktoberfest, and I still keep in touch with my friend from Zurich as well.
After the school year, a few friends from the Lower Sixth and I wanted to travel around England, but that unfortunately didn’t work out. We’re now planning to travel together after the A-Levels—where exactly, we’re still not sure! Maybe we’ll hop on a train and head to Southern Europe.
Were there ever any conflicts?
I can’t remember any serious disputes. Of course, there were moments when people got on each other’s nerves—that’s normal. For example, I was good friends with an Upper Sixth student who was Deputy Head of Roberts, effectively the assistant to the Head of House. We spent a lot of time together, especially during exam periods, often studying in his room and laughing late into the night.
Once, another student came into our room complaining that he couldn’t sleep because of us, as he had a test the next day. It wasn’t really an argument—more like a situation in which we “ganged up” on him a bit. But it remained harmless, just a small annoyance. There were no real fights.
What did your weekends typically look like?
My weekends were usually quite busy. On Saturdays, I sometimes had a lesson, depending on the timetable. It varied whether it was Week A or Week B. In Week B, the morning started with BTEC Enterprises, then we often had football matches—either at home or away. These matches often lasted until the afternoon, so I’d get back around 5 p.m., quickly shower, and get ready for dinner.
Sundays were more relaxed. The day started with Mass at 10 a.m., followed by brunch. After that, we had free time until dinner. There were lots of different activities to choose from, like trips to Bristol or paddle tennis in the summer.
One popular activity on Sundays was taking a trip to Bath. We often went there to go shopping, go for a walk, or spend time with friends. Since we only had brunch and dinner on Sundays, we’d often eat in Bath. It was also a good chance to buy new football boots or explore the city.
During the first trimester, we had two Exeat weekends, where students could leave the boarding school. I stayed for the first Exeat because there were many well-organized activities on campus, like the sports hall being open, a cinema visit, and a trip to Bristol. On the second Exeat weekend, I went to London to stay with my uncle, who was my guardian.
Those who stayed at the school were housed in a smaller building on the campus, a bit more secluded. There, you shared a room with two or three other students, which was perfectly fine for the two nights.
Historic architecture: a view of Downside School’s Main Hall
What was the relationship like between the boarding students and the locals in the surrounding community?
We practically lived in a school bubble in Stratton-on-the-Fosse. It was a small place, and we only went into the village when we needed something from the supermarket. The nearest small Co-op store was in the neighboring village, about a ten-minute walk away. There was also a pub, but that was pretty much it in terms of local amenities.
How was the food at Downside School?
The food at Downside School really surprised me. The food here in Munich is fine, but nothing special. At Downside, though, it was on a completely different level. For breakfast, there was a large selection of cereals, cornflakes, porridge, juice, and hot chocolate. Of course, the classic British breakfast was on offer—hash browns (similar to Rösti) and bacon were almost always available. I always found something tasty.
At lunch and dinner, there were often meat dishes and soups, but also delicious vegetarian or vegan alternatives, along with a well-stocked salad bar. People often say English food isn’t very good, but in our boarding school, that absolutely wasn’t the case. Compared to other schools where we ate when we had away matches, it was clear that we had a big advantage at Downside. It was just great to have varied, good food every day.
What was the sense of community like between the houses? Were there competitions?
There were regular inter-house competitions, a bit reminiscent of Harry Potter. The different houses competed in various disciplines, from academic contests to the Singing Competition, where Smythe was particularly strong.
Shortly before the Christmas holidays, there is a Christmas Dash every year. Each house sends out runners from every year group, from 1st Form to Upper Sixth, in a big relay race. Each house also has one participant, the “Eater,” who has to eat different items on time in the middle of the race—dry mince pies, mandarins, or crackers. It wasn’t easy, and it was always exciting to see how the “Eaters” battled through it while their teammates, the “Runners,” waited to continue. Nearly the entire school took part, and the atmosphere was fantastic. You could really feel everyone cheering and rooting for their house.
England vs. Germany – Alessandro Compares
Was there anything about boarding school life that surprised you?
That’s a tricky question. There were a few things. For example, in the Sixth Form, you could stay up as late as you wanted. Or that classic boarding school life, where everyone lives together and pulls little pranks—that was really fun.
What differences did you notice between teachers in Germany and those in England?
I was particularly surprised by how different the teachers’ attitudes were. In Germany, I often had the feeling that teachers would just conduct their lessons, get paid, and didn’t really care about the students—maybe that’s a bit harsh, but that’s how it felt. In England, it was completely different: Teachers actively looked out for where someone was struggling, say in Maths, and offered help on their own initiative.
They would approach me, ask if I was struggling with something, and how they could help. It was totally normal for them to suggest staying after class or going over certain topics again. They genuinely wanted you to improve your grades and understand the material. It was a more personalized form of support. It was obvious they wanted you to succeed.
What were the biggest differences between Germany and England in terms of school?
A major difference was the school system compared to my gymnasium in Munich, especially the A-Level system. With only three A-Level subjects, it was a completely different structure. It often happened that you had free periods in the middle of the day, or didn’t start lessons until 10 a.m.
What I found somewhat challenging were the 70-minute lessons, rather than the usual 45 minutes in Germany. Sometimes that felt quite long.
In the Lower Sixth, there were no fixed phone times, so it was easy to stay up late on your phone, and you might end up going to bed later. You really had to manage your time well. After returning home, I had to adjust back to “family rules.”
I also appreciated that you could go to the school’s own gym before breakfast. I often did that—and that would be unthinkable at school in Germany. My daily routine didn’t change that much overall, especially regarding Prep time in the evening for homework. I usually still do my homework in the afternoon or evening.
What really made a difference was living with friends. In a boarding school, you’re constantly surrounded by friends, creating a much closer bond than if you live at home and have to arrange to meet up.
Academics: Studying at Downside School
Alessandro with other students on the first day of school
How did you cope with taking classes in English?
At first, I struggled mainly with “BTEC National Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.” The course involves founding a company, staffing and business finance, and marketing—topics I hadn’t encountered before. The first two or three months were really challenging because I didn’t know certain terms like “break-even point.” But over time, it got better, especially since there were hardly any Germans around and I had to speak English all the time. Sure, I was shy at first, worried about making mistakes, but having no other option really helped me improve quickly.
My English skills improved enormously. Before my year abroad, I usually got a “3” in English (roughly a B/C). Now that I’m back in Germany, I took my first test here and got 14 points (the equivalent of an A-).
The IEL course (English for International Students) I took in England also helped. It offered extra language training, and we worked intensively toward the Cambridge exam. Writing essays and really delving into grammar took my English to another level.
What did a typical timetable at Downside School look like for you?
A typical day often looked like this: Mathematics, Computer Science, and BTEC were spread across the day. Sometimes all three in the morning, sometimes two in the morning and one in the afternoon. I also had two hours of EAL (English as an Additional Language) per week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes usually ended around 3 p.m., and the rest of the afternoon could be spent on tennis or just relaxing in the house.
We often ate dinner early—sometimes between 4:30 and 6 p.m.—and I had to get used to that because I usually eat later in Germany. After dinner, it was Prep time, when you do homework or study. Then came Sign-In, which took place twice a day: once in the morning, once in the evening. After that, we could stay out until about 10 p.m. or hang out with friends in the common room.
As Lower Sixth, we had quite a bit of freedom—there wasn’t a set bedtime. We could decide for ourselves when to go to bed, whether at 10 p.m. or later. However, after 10:30 p.m., the house was locked and an alarm would sound if someone tried to leave. The housemasters put a lot of trust in us. If you had an exam, you could go to bed earlier and let others know not to disturb you.
Every Wednesday, there was a special session for the Lower Sixth, covering various practical life topics. They weren’t classic school subjects or extra tutoring, but more like life skills and university prep. We learned, for instance, how to write a CV, how personal finance works, or how to organize student loans. We even had lessons on practical skills like cooking. Every week, the topic changed, and each group had a different teacher.
Did you have a favorite subject?
My favorite subjects were definitely BTEC-Economy and Computer Science.
Was there a subject you struggled with?
Yes, I had difficulties in Maths because the level was much higher than I was used to in Germany. Especially the wording of many tasks was so complicated that I sometimes spent a while just trying to understand what they were asking for. But once I got used to it and found my way, it gradually got better.
Did you also have a favorite teacher?
Overall, I got on well with all the teachers. Of course, you always like some teachers more than others, but there wasn’t anyone I really couldn’t stand. It often depends on the subject and the teacher. In the A-Levels, I usually had two teachers per subject—like in Maths or BTEC-Economy.
My absolute favorite teacher was probably my Computer Science and Business teacher. Since I was only there for one year, I had to complete the coursework for the two-year BTEC certificate in a single year. My Business teacher supported me immensely, especially with the coursework and essays I had to write. She was fantastic and helped me tremendously. In the end, I did earn the BTEC certificate!
Sports and Extracurricular Activities at Downside School
Handling the ball: Alessandro at basketball training with the “Benedictine Ballers”
Which sports did you play?
At Downside, I mainly focused on football and tennis and also spent a lot of time in the gym. If the 1st XI (the top football team) training got canceled due to weather, we would often go to the sports hall to play basketball or volleyball.
Each “term,” you could only choose one main sport. During the first two terms, I chose football, and in the third term, I picked tennis. In between, I played basketball as a minor sport and took part in tournaments.
One new passion I definitely got to explore at Downside was English football. I got to experience the typical English style of play, known as “kick and rush,” where you just boot the ball forward and everyone chases it. It’s quite different from German football, which is usually more structured and tactically refined.
Did you take part in any other extracurricular activities?
I was a Prefect in Paul House, which accommodates students from 1st to 3rd Form. A friend told me about this position, and it sounded interesting. So I wrote to the Housemaster of Paul House, explaining why I wanted to help.
As a Prefect, I helped out in Paul House once a week during Prep time, supporting the housemasters. It wasn’t a particularly difficult job, but I enjoyed it. It was especially nice to see the younger students greeting me in the corridors—you could tell they appreciated it.
Alessandro’s Highs and Lows at Downside School
What did you like best about Downside School?
The wide range of sports, especially because it was firmly built into the daily routine, was what I enjoyed the most. I was especially impressed by the strong team spirit. When we played matches against other schools, you really felt like you were representing your school and fighting for it. That sense of unity and solidarity was something I had never experienced anywhere else.
What were your best experiences?
One highlight was the house Singing Competition, which I mentioned before. Although we didn’t win, we were recognized as the “most improved house,” and that caused a huge wave of excitement. Everyone threw their ties into the air, and the atmosphere was just amazing.
In that moment, I felt I was in exactly the right place. It felt like a very tight-knit group of friends, and even the tie we wore for our house reinforced this feeling of belonging. That was one of the moments I knew I had made the right decision by coming here.
I also celebrated my birthday during my time at Downside School—it fell on a Sunday. My mother had baked a cake and mailed it to me—a real surprise, because I wasn’t expecting her to actually do it. I celebrated in my house with the Housemaster and my friends, and later we went to Bath to end the day in a relaxed way.
What did you like the least about Downside School?
That’s a tough one. If I had to pick something, I’d say it was how thin the walls were and how old the buildings were. It did have a certain charm—you felt a bit like you were in a Harry Potter film—but some aspects weren’t ideal. The walls between rooms were quite thin, so you could hear noise from the neighboring rooms clearly. Also, the classic single-glazed windows affected the room temperature.
It was especially cold in winter, in December and January, since my room was large—it sometimes took a while for it to warm up. I let the Housemistress know, and she made sure the heating was turned on. Otherwise, I just took a hot shower or wore a sweater, thick socks, an extra blanket, and that usually solved the problem.
Putting in maximum effort: Alessandro in a match (“Downside Downies XL” vs. King’s Bruton)
Alessandro’s Reflections and Advice for New Students
Would you do it all over again the same way, or would you change something?
I would’ve liked to stay longer at the school, until the Upper Sixth, to do my A-Levels there. I probably would have chosen my subjects a bit differently. Computer Science was interesting, but in hindsight, there might have been other subjects that I would have enjoyed more. I would have definitely kept BTEC and Maths, but as a third subject, I might have chosen between Religious Studies and Philosophy.
Did your time in a boarding school in England influence your life and career goals?
Yes, initially I was leaning more toward business, but during my time in England, I developed a big interest in architecture. If I were to remain in the business field now, I would probably focus more on marketing. But because of my experiences in England, architecture and engineering have come to the forefront.
A good friend of mine, who is now studying architecture in England, was a big help. We often talked about it, and his insights and tips deepened my interest even further.
Did the school change anything for you in terms of values or personal development?
Absolutely. Above all, you live there without your parents, so you take on more responsibility for yourself, including your schooling. I had to organize myself, complete my tasks, and learn how to solve problems independently. For example, if a train was canceled during an Exeat weekend, you had to figure out your own solution. Sports-wise, nothing much changed for me—I still do football practice as I did in the boarding school.
The biggest thing for me was meeting so many amazing and open-minded people. With so many international students and different cultures, I learned how diverse people can be and how exciting it is to encounter that. It definitely had a lasting impact on me.
What was the biggest advantage you gained by attending a boarding school?
The biggest advantage was definitely my improved English. That might sound obvious, but for me it was more than just the language. The entire experience was something special, and looking back, it almost feels surreal—like a dream—because time flew by so quickly. Compared to a German school, it was an unforgettable experience.
Academically, England prepared me well. Especially in Maths, the level there was so advanced that I’m now a step ahead here in Germany. In Business, too, we covered topics there that we’ll only get to next year back home. England, and especially Downside, prepared me really well for school here.
What would you recommend to students who are thinking about attending a British boarding school?
Generally, I would encourage anyone considering boarding school to give it a try—preferably at a school like Downside. Boarding school life is very personal and depends a lot on your own mindset. It requires openness and a willingness to adapt. You have to get used to things like having less privacy, for example not having your own bathroom.
It’s important to accept the circumstances and make the best of it, even in tougher moments. In the end, for most people it’s a positive experience filled with good memories. Of course, there will be some not-so-great moments, too. But overall, I think it’s something you’ll look back on and say, “Yes, that was really good.”
Thank you for the interview, Alessandro!
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Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com