Downe House - Independent Girls Boarding School

When should I bring my daughter for the first time?
There is no correct time although it is helpful if you take your daughter to see only a few (two or three) schools. It can become very bewildering for her to try to remember all the details!

How will I know whether she should enter at 11+, 12+ or 13+?
If your daughter's school finishes at 11+ then that often makes it easier. Most girls at this stage are first time boarders and they all learn about boarding life together. If your daughter's school goes on to 13 then you have the opportunity for her to reach the top of the school, with all the privileges and responsibilities this brings with it. Leaving prior to 13 may mean that she feels she has unfinished business. However, for a variety of reasons some girls would like, or need, to leave at 12. In the end, it has to be what is right for your daughter that matters. From Downe House's point of view, girls are welcomed at all three stages.

I would like to defer my daughter's entry to the School, is this possible?
If you would like to defer your daughter's entry for any reason, please do get in touch with the Registrar or Headmistress. There are many reasons why this may be right and we will always try to help where we can.

There is no one way to choose the right school for your daughter. Each case will be slightly different and of course each girl has different needs. However, below is a suggested route.

Step 1 - Initial Enquiry
Please contact the School for a prospectus. Any member of the administrative staff will be able to deal with this if the Registrar is not available. It helps us to know your daughter's date of birth and anticipated stage of entry - 11+, 12+, 13+ or 16+, for example. This enables us to send you any additional appropriate material.

Step 2 - Visiting the School
Telephone the Registry to book an appointment to visit. Visits can be arranged during the week and on Saturday mornings. All are normal working days and so you have the opportunity of seeing the School at work. You will meet and spend time with the Headmistress, have a guided tour with a member of the house or teaching staff and have an opportunity to talk to some girls.

Step 3 - Registering your Daughter
If you have not already registered your daughter, please do so as soon as possible after the visit. All further information will then be sent to you automatically about assessment days and the Common Entrance Procedure.

Step 4 - A Prospective Parents' Morning
Some parents like to bring their daughter to look around the School with them; some like to have the opportunity to look first and then come a second time with their daughters. Each term there is at least one prospective parents' morning on a Saturday. On this occasion girls will give the tours after a short presentation

Step 5 - 11+, 12+ and 13+ Assessment Days
Your daughter will be invited to come to the School for an assessment day in the September or October prior to the year of entry. She will spend the day at the School, getting to know her potential peers, becoming more familiar with the environment and it is also an opportunity for us to get to know her. We will give you feedback from the visit.

Sixth Form Examinations
The entrance and scholarship examinations take place in the Michaelmas term prior to the year of entry.

16+
The entrance examination which is made up of two subject papers of your daughter's choosing (These will usually be two that your daughter would like to continue in the Sixth Form.), a general paper and interviews with the Headmistress, Director of Studies and Head of Sixth Form. Girls will also be expected to achieve at least seven B grades at GCSE level, or equivalent, preferably with As or A*s in the subjects they wish to study at AS/A Level.

Step 6 - Common Entrance or Scholarship Examinations 11+, 12+ and 13+
All scholarship examinations for academic awards take place in January. Music scholarships are usually in February. Art and Drama (13+ only) scholarship examinations take place in June. Common Entrance Examinations are set by the ISEB (Independent Schools' Examination Board). There is one sitting for 11 + in January; two for 13 + in the Spring and Summer terms. If your daughter is at a preparatory school preparing for Summer Common Entrance that is not a problem. 12+ entry is via our own Downe House Examination which takes place in February.

Step 7 - Accepting a Place
After the Common Entrance, Entrance Examinations for the Sixth Form and Scholarship examinations, places are offered and accepted.

Step 8 - New Girls' Day
Your daughter will be invited with you to join us for the day in the Summer term prior to entry. This gives her the opportunity to get to know new friends and staff and you an opportunity to meet staff and other parents.