Downe House
Downe House
Thatcham, England
Downe House is beautifully set on a spacious campus on the edge of woodland in West Berkshire, housed in historic former convent buildings. Academically ambitious girls receive a great deal of support here and are thoughtfully cared for by the school community. Alongside its strong academic focus, Downe House offers a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, particularly in sport, music and the performing arts. And for dog lovers, there is a special bonus: the school’s fourteen dogs are very much part of daily life on campus.
The Details
The Academics
Around half of the pupils take Mathematics at A-Level, with the sciences and creative subjects equally strong. The arts in particular are exceptionally broad, with offerings ranging from fine art and textiles to fashion and photography.
At the heart of the school’s academic facilities lies the new Murray Centre, featuring a 250-seat auditorium, library, teaching and seminar rooms, as well as a café. With lessons on Saturday mornings followed by sport and games in the afternoon, the overall programme is lively, structured and rich in content.
Languages Taught
Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Russian
The Boarding
Around 70 per cent of the pupils hold a British passport, with roughly 30 per cent coming from overseas, a balance the school is keen to maintain. The Sixth Form comprises around 100 girls across the two year groups, large enough to offer real diversity while remaining highly personal in its pastoral care. In total, there are 11 boarding houses; in the Sixth Form, pupils usually live in single or double rooms.
The school’s approach to mobile phones is deliberately strict: even in the Sixth Form, phones are handed in from 9.30 pm onwards. And, by all accounts, the girls cope remarkably well with it.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Tennis is a particular strength at Downe House, with around two thirds of the pupils training under the guidance of four full-time coaches. Dance is also well established, with weekly classes and large-scale performances involving pupils from all year groups. The Music Department is equally impressive: individual tuition, ensembles, choirs, solo recitals, termly concerts, competitions and a comprehensive scholarship programme reflect both breadth and depth. This is complemented by a strong Performing Arts offering, including a dedicated studio and regular theatre and musical productions.
Weaknesses
A purpose-built music building is currently under construction and will bring all musical activities together under one roof. Until it is completed, music continues to be taught in the existing, older facilities.
Location
Downe House is located near Thatcham in the county of Berkshire and offers a classic British boarding school setting without feeling truly remote. Situated around an hour and a half west of London, the school is easily accessible. The peaceful rural surroundings are combined with practical transport links, including good connections to Heathrow Airport and the nearby town of Newbury.
Newbury - 15 Min by car
Reading - 35 Min by car
Downe House offers a strong, empowering environment in which girls are encouraged to fulfil their potential and grow in confidence through their individual strengths.
Downe House even has its own skateboard ramp! Something you rarely find at a traditional girls’ school.
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