Downe House School

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Are the key facts we hold about your school correct?
  • Downe House School is a girls-only senior school, offering both day and boarding places.
  • The school welcomes approximately 500 girls aged from 11 to 18 years.
  • Downe House School is located at Thatcham in Berkshire.
Is our summary information about your school correct?
Downe House School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, in Cold Ash in Berkshire. The school was opened in 1907 and the school's aim has always been 'to enable, encourage and prepare girls to play a full and positive part as citizens of a global community and as outstanding women of the future'.
Is the postal address for your school correct?
Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9JJ
Is the web address for your school correct?
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This is the text we use to provide an overview of the school:

Headmistress Emma McKendrick says: 'I believe that as a school, we have a responsibility to provide our pupils with as many opportunities as possible – academic, co-curricular and pastoral – to allow every girl to grow and develop, and to discover and build on her individual strengths.'

'It is our aim that girls should be fully prepared for life beyond Downe House and leave us with the confidence to take up places at top universities in the UK and overseas and then move on to embark successfully on the widest range of careers across the globe.'

Attain asked the school, what makes Downe House different – and why should parents consider it?

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.

Established in 1907, Downe House is a traditional school with a modern approach for girls aged 11-18 and situated in a beautiful Berkshire 110-acre woodland estate. We honour an exceptional programme to nurture global citizens and expands the pupils' cultural horizons. Every pupil in the Lower Fourth (Year 8) spends a term at our school in France, Downe House Sauveterre. Older pupils can take part in the Global Schools' Exchange Programme, studying abroad in one of 15 partner schools across six continents. There is also a Global Internship Programme as well as DH LINKS, the School's comprehensive networking and career initiative, along with our World Ready programme, which is layered into every aspect of school life, tailored for every stage of development as pupils progress up through the year groups, to prepare them for the wider world.

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What makes your school different – and why should parents consider it?

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Head

These are the details we hold about your Head:
No information available.
We are keen to include a short profile piece about each Head, written by Attain's Editor. The aim is to give prospective parents an insight into the Head's role and vision for the school. To assist the Editor with writing this, we ask Heads to provide brief answers to the three questions below.
Download questions
Please share these questions with your Head and then provide the answers via this form. Once the profile piece has been written, the Editor will send it through for approval by the Head.
1. How would you describe your vision for Downe House School?
2. What inspired you to want to lead Downe House School?
3. What qualities do you feel pupils have gained when they leave Downe House School?
4. Please include a brief biography of the Head, including previous roles at other schools.
We currently link to this page for more information about the Head:
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We have details of the following forthcoming events:
Mar
22

Downe House March Open Morning

Hear from current pupils who will give you a real sense of what it is like to be a pupil at Downe House. Parents can book to attend via the school website.
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This is the school logo we are currently using:
This is the header photo we are currently using:
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These are the other profile photos we are currently using:
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As an advertiser with a Premium subscription, you can change the photograph we use to create your advert whenever you wish.
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To upgrade, please upload an advert photo in JPEG format. The 'advert' photo should be a standard photograph with no text added. The image should be high resolution (2,000+ pixels).
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IMPORTANT: By uploading any files, you grant to Attain (Chapel Studios Ltd) a non-exclusive, worldwide royalty-free licence to display, use, reproduce, store, publish and modify the files as required in order for Attain to advertise or promote your school online, in print or via any medium. You warrant on behalf of your school that you have obtained all necessary licences, copyright agreements, consents and permissions – including parental consents – from all data subjects in relation to any submitted files and their use by Attain. You agree, on behalf of your school, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Attain, its directors, employees and subcontractors against claims, actions, proceedings, losses, damages, expenses and costs (including court costs and reasonable legal fees) and liabilities arising out of, or in connection with, the submitted files and their use by Attain. You acknowledge and accept that Attain reserves the right not to use any file(s) uploaded in its editorial discretion.
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