Why choose Downe House?

We understand that choosing a school for your daughter is a huge decision and that your daughter’s interests, talents and needs will look different to those of another girl.

There is no such thing as a ‘typical Downe House girl’

When a girl joins Downe House we provide an environment that both supports her development and celebrates her individuality – there is no such thing as a ‘typical Downe House girl’.

What girls do have in common however, is that they are challenged academically and are given as many opportunities as possible to become the women that they want to be. We encourage and support girls as they identify and develop their academic strengths, and we provide almost limitless opportunities to become accomplished musicians, actors, athletes, artists – wherever their talents and ambitions take them.

Downe House girls excel, and they do so because they enjoy what they do. As one parent said, ‘we couldn’t be more thrilled.’

Be kind, work hard, aim high

We want to ignite a love of learning and be sure that when your daughter leaves Downe House, she will believe that there is nothing she cannot achieve in the world.

Of course, academic results matter greatly to us and we expect girls to aspire to excellence in all they do, both in the classroom and beyond. However, we place equal importance on equipping every girl with a well-established work ethic and a core set of traditional values, skills and beliefs that will allow her to flourish in today’s rapidly changing world.

With only girls in the classroom, in the science labs, on stage and on the sports field, both intellectual and physical confidence can grow without any stereotyping or gender-weighted expectations.

A global outlook

There are so many things that make the difference at Downe House. For girls in the Lower School, it includes up to a term spent in France by all Lower Fourth girls. The Upper School and Sixth Form have the opportunity to take part in our far-reaching Global Student Exchange Programme with 16 partner schools across five continents. Not to mention our Elective Programme which provides ‘super-curricular’ academic enrichment to challenge and stretch able girls.

Our Headmistress

Meet the Headmistress of Downe House, Mrs Emma McKendrick.

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Location

Get directions to Downe House (RG18 9JJ). We are located on a 110-acre site in the village of Cold Ash in West Berkshire with excellent transport links, just two miles from the M4 and A34 and under an hour’s drive to Heathrow Airport.

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Tours & Open Mornings

The best way to find out more about Downe House is to experience it for yourself. Book a personal tour or join us at one of our Open Mornings, available throughout the year.

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Now accepting more Day Pupils for September 2025! Learn more at our Open Event on Thursday 9 May.
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