Attain private schools guideAttain independent schools guide
  • Independent Schools Guide
  • Private Schools Near Me
  • Boarding Schools
  • Features & Advice

Downe House School

Girls 11-18
Day & Boarding
400 to 700 pupils
Berkshire
/ Independent Schools Guide / Berkshire /

Downe House School

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'.

Key facts

· Downe House School is a day and boarding school.

· It is a senior school and is for girls only.

· The school welcomes girls aged 11 to 18 years.

· Downe House School has 400 to 700 pupils.

· The school is located in Thatcham in Berkshire.

Why choose Downe House 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.

Downe House School Videos

Governance, Inspections and the Head

When reviewing details about a particular school, prospective parents should always ensure they have looked at the governance details, reviewed recent inspections and read about the Head's vision for the school.
Governance

The school is a registered charity managed by a board of governors. Read more on the Charity Commission website.

Read about the governance of Downe House School
Inspections

The school was last inspected in September 2021. Read the inspection reports on the school's website.

Read inspection reports for Downe House School
Head

Emma McKendrick is the Headmistress of Downe House School.

Meet the Headmistress of Downe House School, Emma McKendrick

Downe House School Fees

No items found.

Leavers' Destinations from Downe House School

When pupils leave Downe House School, they go on to a number of senior schools including:

No leavers' destinations information is available.

Feeder Schools for Downe House School

Pupils who attend Downe House School have joined from a number of prep schools including:

Cheam School

Downe House School Open Days

Jan
20
January 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.
Discover more about the January Open Morning
Mar
16
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.
Discover more about the March Open Morning
Apr
20
April 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.
Discover more about the April Open Morning
Photo:
Downe House School
Downe House partners with SpringBoard to transform futures
Downe House has announced a partnership with Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF) which will enable the school to widen its reach to others who would not usually be able to access a Downe House education.
Read more about this news story

More about Downe House School

Downe House School's address is Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9JJ. To discover more, visit the Downe House School website and contact the Admissions Department to arrange a visit.

Next steps

If you think Downe House School might be of interest to your child, visit the Downe House School website and make contact with the Admissions Team to arrange a time to visit.

You can also discover more private schools in Berkshire – or explore independent schools in the South East – and compare these to see if they should be considered as options for your family.

Featured schools with a Berkshire catchment area

Oxfordshire
Shiplake College Logo

Shiplake College

Day & Boarding · Boys 11-18, Girls 11-18

Berkshire
St George's Ascot Logo

St George's Ascot

Day & Boarding · Girls 11-18

Oxfordshire
The Oratory School Logo

The Oratory School

Day & Boarding · Boys 11-18, Girls 11-18

Oxfordshire
St Edward's School, Oxford Logo

St Edward's School, Oxford

Day & Boarding · Boys 13-18, Girls 13-18

Berkshire
Cheam School Logo

Cheam School

Day & Boarding · Boys 3-13, Girls 3-13

Berkshire
Heathfield School Logo

Heathfield School

Day & Boarding · Girls 11-18

Scroll right to see all the details about the schools below, including size and type.
Cheam School
Pre-Prep and Prep
Day & Boarding
Coed
Boys 3-13, Girls 3-13
Heathfield School
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Girls
Girls 11-18
Queen Anne's School
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Girls
Girls 11-18
Shiplake College
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Coed
Boys 11-18, Girls 11-18
St Edward's School, Oxford
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Coed
Boys 13-18, Girls 13-18
St George's Ascot
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Girls
Girls 11-18
The Oratory School
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Coed
Boys 11-18, Girls 11-18
Wellington College
Senior School
Day & Boarding
Coed
Boys 13-18, Girls 13-18
Attain logo
For parents
Independent Schools GuidePrivate Schools Near MeBoarding SchoolsFeatures & Advice
For schools
AdvertisingAbout AttainHistoryContact Us
Copyright ©2006-2023 Chapel Studios Ltd. All rights reserved · ISSN 2045-6867 · Terms, Privacy & Errors · Designed in Oxford by Chapel Studios