Inspiring the desire for adventure and discovery, fostering a spirit of curiosity and encouraging a thirst for knowledge are all, we believe, a part of a broad and balanced education from which we want all Downe House girls to benefit.

The activities which take place outside the classroom both complement and capitalise on the work done inside it, for it is often the experiences here which enrich and inspire girls to extend themselves beyond any limits they imagine possible. The extra-curricular activity (ECA) program is very diverse, we offer something for everyone.

Having the opportunity to develop a whole range of skills and interests is one of the many benefits of boarding school life. Every day is busy at Downe House and our girls like to be involved in a wide range of activities. We are continually widening the range of activities available to the girls during the evenings and at weekends.

A selection from the current programme of activities includes:

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

A large number of girls take the opportunity to do the Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Award scheme. Around 80% sign up for the Award giving them an excellent frame work to complete a balanced program that includes taking part in a physical recreational activity, learning a skill, giving service to the community and completing a self sufficient adventurous expedition.
This gives them the opportunity to improve their self-confidence, independence and discover new talents and abilities.
To date, the practice Bronze expeditions have been held in the local Berkshire area and assessments have taken place in Marlborough and the New Forest. The Gold practise expeditions take place in the Peak District and Dartmoor with assessment taking place in Wales.

The community service element involves voluntary work that aids others such as helping children at Scouts, local nurseries, primary schools and helping those with special needs at school. Others have helped with disabled riding, entertaining the elderly and taking part in environmental projects such as conservation work at Bowdon Woods. Some have also been with the Police and Fire Brigades and have learnt to become future Lifesavers or First Aiders.

Some of the skills that the girls have taken up include learning a musical instrument, singing, cooking and learning to care & handle horses.

A broad number of physical recreational activities are offered which gives more scope to suit individual preference. Some of most popular activities include horse riding, ballet, tap dancing, swimming, lacrosse, netball, hockey, athletics, squash and tennis.

With the growing number of opportunities offered to the girls the number successfully completing the Award looks promising.

Community Service and International Links

As well as having the opportunity to develop individual interests and skills, the School encourages girls to take part in its community service programme. We have managed to widen the scope of our community service activities. Girls may help out at a local primary school, with the handicapped children, the elderly or in the community generally. Great value is placed on giving something back and developing a sense of service.

Impressively, most of the School now has a link with a foreign school with which community service of some sort is being created. Girls from the Lower School were the first to visit a foreign link school. They went to Bucharest in the May half-term 2007 to join with children from Scoala No. 85. As well as work in class the children visited a ballet with the British Ambassador in his Embassy.

Members of Tedworth House visited their link school in South Africa. Holcombe are planning a visit to Ibenga School in Zambia. AGN are working with Puwakdandawa School in Sri Lanka. Girls from the Sixth Form stayed at Acts of Hope School in Bangalore, India, during their Christmas holidays. These links are an outstanding achievement and something that every girl who makes a contribution to should be proud of having done.