Ever since the School’s foundation in 1907, our mission to offer a world class girls’ education has put innovation and change at the heart of our ethos. At Downe House, we recognise that family life has changed greatly over the past decades and that full boarding does not always meet all our families’ needs. In order to respond to growing demand, we have been welcoming more day pupils into our community since September 2022.

Up to 100% Centenary Day Bursaries

This year we are offering further Centenary Bursaries, launched in 2022 to celebrate our 100 years in Cold Ash. These bursaries are offered to local pupils for day places. Inclusivity is at the centre of life at Downe and we are proud that our pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and faiths. We aim to widen access further by welcoming more local families for whom a private education might otherwise be out of reach. Our Centenary Day Bursaries, covering up to 100% of the fees, will be means-tested and offered to day pupils for entry in the Remove (Year 7), Upper Fourth (Year 9) and Sixth Form (Year 12). 

You can find out more about life at Downe House in Cold Ash over the past century in ‘The Spirit of Downe House’ – a short film featuring members of our alumnae community, pupils and staff talking about what makes a Downe House education so special, the lifelong friendships they have made and the enduring imprint their time here has made on their lives.

All the flexibility of a day school… all the benefits of a boarding school

Day pupils at Downe House benefit from a full boarding education but with the added benefit of sleeping in their own beds at home. They are fully integrated members of their boarding house, enjoying an extended day, with the flexibility of starting as early as 7.30am for breakfast and staying to enjoy all the activities on offer once lessons finish at 6pm. Many of our day pupils choose to stay in school to take advantage of an array of enrichment opportunities until 8.30pm and, on occasion, beyond. Girls have work spaces, storage and social spaces in dormitories, alongside boarders, and are given the same bespoke pastoral care as the boarders.  

 I do the exact same things as boarders. Nobody really realises that you’re a day girl because you have the same opportunities, you do the same activities and there’s not much difference – apart from the fact that you go home at night.

– Octavia, Upper Fifth

More than a day at school… a world of opportunity

Evenings at Downe offer an outstanding range of opportunities, such as talks by visiting speakers, supervised prep (homework) sessions, clubs and societies, drama, dance and music rehearsals, sports training and the chance to have supper and socialise with friends. We have an exciting partnership with Radley College that provides academic and social opportunities for girls and boys to share knowledge and develop healthy and normal relationships with their peers. All pupils have equal access to these opportunities – day pupils and boarders alike. 

All girls attend school on Saturday morning, after which there are sports fixtures in the afternoon. The rest of the weekend is jam-packed with trips and other opportunities which day girls can choose to attend if they wish. We take great care to ensure our day girls are fully involved in all aspects of school life and play an integral part in our community. Please come and visit us to find out more! 

Day Pupils and Centenary Day Bursaries

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