A French experience

The term in France provides a wonderfully immersive cultural and linguistic French experience for girls across the School.

Downe House: A term in France

The term in France provides a wonderful opportunity for girls in the Lower School (Year 8) to experience French culture first-hand as well as giving them a rare opportunity to develop their French language skills.

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Lower School Houses

Find out more about our Lower School boarding Houses on our beautiful woodland estate in rural West Berkshire.

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An immersive adventure in France

The Lower School term in France is a unique opportunity to experience life in France. All members of the Lower Fourth (Year 8) take part in this great adventure, which becomes a highlight of their education at Downe.

“I will always treasure my time in France!”
Clara, Lower Fourth (2018)

A holistic education

The term in France is designed to provide each girl with the opportunity to immerse herself in a new culture. Teaching and learning are of the utmost importance and whilst girls inevitably make enormous progress in French, they can also expect to be challenged intellectually and personally on a daily basis, becoming more independent and confident as a result.

School-based learning is supported by an extensive and stimulating programme of trips which have included visits to historical sites, working with a truffle expert, and a variety of sporting activities. The term in France also includes the girls working closely with the local community where they are involved in charity work, opportunities for collaborative projects with pupils of a similar age, a partnership with a local primary school where the girls teach English and concerts for elderly members of the community.

Teaching and learning

The curriculum takes advantage of our surroundings which are rich in art, history and geography and this becomes a natural extension to the classroom through a carefully designed programme of ‘sorties’ or outings.

Our classrooms are equipped with AV/IT facilities and we employ a variety of teaching methods to engage and stimulate learners.

Term in France Curriculum

All lessons except Mathematics are delivered in French as far as is practical and we differentiate language lessons for bilingual pupils and girls who are relatively inexperienced in the subject.

We maintain close links with academic departments in the UK and girls will study French, History and Mathematics alongside distinct subjects such as SVT (Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre). Cookery and Textiles are included in the curriculum and each term a small number of girls attend a workshop in either oil or watercolour painting.

Girls are regularly assessed throughout the term and a full written report is published at the end of the term.

“The benefit that the girls derive from the term in France has exceeded our original expectations in every way! Of course there are enormous linguistic benefits, but the growth in confidence that comes from the experience of living in France and learning in a different way is unrivalled. Our French experience forms a significant part in preparing girls for the Upper School at Downe, in the same way that their final year at prep school does.”

Mr and Mrs Irving, parents (2018)

“Parents describe the French experience as ‘the jewel in the crown of Downe House'”

Good Schools Guide, 2019

“In France, you don’t only improve academically, you also make close friends. It is a rare opportunity and a special one too.”

Danna, Lower Fourth (DH 2015)

“I will always treasure my time in France!”

Clara, Lower Fourth (DH 2016)

“Our daughter has had a wonderful time in France. She has absolutely thrived and returned with so many happy memories that she will treasure for her whole life.”

Parent, Summer Term 2018