Without exception, the girls at Downe House, along with pupils across the country, have faced an extraordinary end to the conclusion of their GCSE studies; in many ways mirroring that of their counterparts in 2020 and yet presenting many new and very different challenges. 

This outstanding group of girls are to be congratulated for the way in which they have adapted to prolonged periods of online and blended learning. They have made the most of the resources and support they have had around them, wherever they have been across the world throughout the disruption caused by COVID-19. They have remained unwaveringly focused on their studies and yet still found the time to support their friends and fellow pupils and enjoy a broad range of enriching pursuits. Their enthusiasm for school life has remained undimmed.  

This incredible adaptability and commitment, along with the support of their teachers and their families, has enabled the girls to achieve a set of public examination results of which they can be rightly proud, and which reflects a history of consistently impressive results for Downe House pupils, year after year.  

Whilst there are many personal triumphs, we must mark the achievements of those girls whose exceptional dedication has seen them achieve grade 9 in nine or more subjects: Sophia (11), Cléo (10), Katie (10), Emily (11), Vivi (10), Yoyo (11), Louisa (9), Catherine (9), Yiming (9), Mirabel (10) and Lydia (11). 

Our pupils have worked incredibly hard to achieve their potential across all subject areas, but we are particularly delighted to see continued success in the STEM subjects and notably this year we have seen a three-fold increase in the number of girls studying Computer Science of whom 85% achieved grades 9-7. We are also celebrating our exceptional record in the Creative and Performing Arts subjects in which pupils have faced particular disruption and where all grades achieved were at grade 9-7.  

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress, commented: ‘This has been an exceptional period of time for GCSE candidates across the country; they all deserve the greatest credit for the resilience and tenacity that they have shown and I could not be more proud of our candidates whose enthusiasm, commitment and dedication have been second to none. They have embraced opportunities that they have had inside and outside the classroom, created many of their own and, as a result, not only achieved excellent grades this summer, but also found time to perform on the stage, in the Music School and on the sports fields to name but a few areas. They have also developed their leadership skills and I look forward to seeing them approach their A Levels with confidence and leading the School with compassion, energy and a generosity of spirit that encourages everyone to thrive whatever their age, skills and talents. They are outstanding young women.’