Our aim is to keep you connected. Downe House has a strong and truly global community of alumnae, parents and staff across the world. A network you can benefit from, for life.
We offer a wonderful annual programme of events at the School, across the UK and internationally. These opportunities are created for you to reconnect, network and collaborate with your Downe House community.
What we do…
The DH Society
4000+ pupils, alumnae and parents (past and present) form our community’s global professional and social network.
The role of the Downe House Society is to build a supportive life-long community for pupils, alumnae and parents (past and present). It is a global professional and social network which hosts events, shares news and encourages professional support for Downe House students, past and present. If you need careers advice or are moving to a new location around the world, then Downe House Society members are happy to help.
The DH Society website is an exclusive platform for the Downe House community, designed to support students and alumnae as they navigate the transition from School to university, their first jobs, and beyond! It is also a great way to stay up to date with School news and events. Whether you need work experience, have questions about a certain profession or need some friendly mentoring – you can find an alumna with the answers on the Downe House Society website.
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DH LINKS
Our year-round programme of careers-focused networking events offer practical professional advice for Downe House girls, past and present. Invited speakers from different professions and sectors share their expertise and answer questions from alumnae at all stages of their professional lives.
We would love to hear from alumnae who can share their careers advice and guidance at our events. Sharing your experience can help current girls and alumnae build their networks and expand their opportunities. Get in touch at dhsociety@downehouse.net.
Alumnae Achievement Awards
The Downe House Alumnae Achievement Awards, launched in April 2023, celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumnae community and recognise the variety of ways they are making a real impact across our society, both in the UK and around the globe.
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Travel and professional development grants
We also offer a limited number of travel and professional development grants to support alumnae as they enter the working world. We have provided grants to alumnae for professional training courses, internships, gap year plans and studying abroad.
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Alumnae Ambassadors
Investment for the future is a key focus and essential in maintaining and building upon the School’s outstanding reputation so that it remains strong for girls – past, present and future. We welcome involvement from our alumnae to support and promote the School as we constantly evolve to stay at the forefront of educational excellence. And the continued support and involvement from our alumnae community is essential to the success of our future development plans.
You can support in lots of different ways: you could speak at a School careers event, become a mentor, support through fundraising or making a donation however small, guest edit our alumnae magazine, act as a sounding board for our future plans or simply share School news with your own network. We would love to hear from you at dhsociety@downehouse.net.
Downe House Seniors’ Association
Whether through the publication of its biennial DHSA magazine, hosting of events and reunions, or offering financial grants towards further education, retraining or travelling with a purpose, the Association is another way for Downe House girls to stay in touch with each other and remain part of the Downe House Old Seniors community.
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We are incredibly proud of all our alumnae, many of whom have been be recognised with the highest accolades for achievements within their areas of expertise, including:
- Margaret Aston CBE (Historian and Academic. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the British Academy)
- Coral Au (Associate Consultant Psychiatrist at United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong)
- Clare Balding OBE (Broadcaster, journalist and author)
- Mary Bonsor (Lawyer. CEO and Co-Founder of Flex Legal Ltd)
- Sophie Conran (Designer, retailer, cook and author)
- Miranda Hart (Actress, comedian and writer)
- Georgina Hilton (VP/Director, Head of Classic Art, Asia Pacific at Christie’s)
- Geraldine James OBE (Film and television actress)
- Eleanor Janet Macnair OBE (Scientist. Senior Fellow of the Institute of Energy)
- Dame Helen Muir CBE (Biochemist. Fellow of the Royal Society)
- Dame Rosemary Murray DBE (Chemist and educator. The first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge after whom Murray Edwards College is named)
- Temi Ogunsanya (Africa Corridor Director, Santander UK)
- Catherine Powell (Former President Disney Parks, Airbnb’s Global Head of Hosting)
- Rachel Skinner CBE (Engineer and the youngest President of the Institute of Civil Engineers)
- Audrey Richards CBE (Anthropologist, Director of the African Studies Centre at University of Cambridge. First woman President of the Royal Anthropological Institute)
