Sixth Form

Preparing young women for their future

At the age of sixteen, girls move into the Sixth Form, a distinctly different experience within the School campus, yet designed to prepare girls for a life beyond Downe House. Girls live in either Willis or York House for the two years of their Sixth Form studies providing continuity and familiarity. The Sixth Form at Downe House aims to create a culture which will inspire your daughter to reach her very best academically, but also find personal fulfilment, experience the joy of in-depth learning and have the confidence and ambition to aim for the highest possible standards she can achieve. There are a range of opportunities to prepare our pupils to thrive beyond school—whether moving on to university or travelling the globe, they gain vital real‑world experience.

Click here to discover the Sixth Form experience, as told by pupils and staff, in our podcast.

Meet our Assistant Head (Sixth Form)

We are thrilled to have Georgina Taylor as part of our Leadership Team in the role of Assistant Head (Sixth Form). Find out more about Georgina on our Meet the Staff page.

“Sixth Form is such an exciting part of a young person’s education,  being involved in this aspect of their individual journey and helping to shape their futures during and beyond Downe House is such a privilege and it is always such a joy to see the exciting paths our leavers take.”

An environment for young adults

With excellent facilities for living and independent working, these Houses have been expressly designed to better prepare each girl for life beyond Downe House. Alongside a more ‘adult’ relationship with the dedicated and experienced Housestaff team, Sixth Form boarding provides girls with spacious common rooms as well as their own dining room and coffee room.

Academic freedom

In the Sixth Form, each student is assigned a new Academic Tutor who they meet with weekly to discuss their learning and can go to for support as well as advice regarding higher education and encouragement on broadening their studies. Enjoying much greater levels of freedom, girls in Sixth Form take more responsibility for their own learning, living and time-planning in the knowledge that housestaff, their Tutor and teachers as well as the higher education team are there for support and guidance.

Find out more about Sixth Form Options and the Sixth Form Team at Downe House.

Enrichment in Sixth Form

Beyond the classroom, Sixth Form girls benefit from an outstanding academic enrichment programme, expert advice on higher education and careers as well as regular trips to the theatre, concerts and exhibitions. They are also actively encouraged to pursue roles of responsibility and leadership throughout the School, contribute their own events and ideas to school life and mentor younger students. Girls in the Sixth Form also have the freedom to choose to be in or out of School on most weekends and join their fellow students at social events with boys’ schools such as Winchester College, Radley and Eton, for dances, debates and activities.

Opportunities for the Sixth Form

Academic:

• Peer Mentoring – Sixth Form girls can sign up to mentor younger pupils and meet with them regularly to share advice
• Academic Enrichment & Lectures – Many subjects have their own societies which girls can get involved with and even lead. We have the opportunity for girls to do public speaking in our Mini Ted talks as well as regular lectures by external business professionals, alumni and university academics.
• Interview Practice – every girl in the Sixth Form receives tailored expert interview practice and advice
• Leadership opportunities – all girls have the capacity to lead and this is encouraged in the Sixth Form.
• Advice for the future – workshops, fairs, and talks from internal and external speakers guiding pupils on their next steps.
• Oxbridge Programme – students in the Sixth Form interested in applying to Oxford or Cambridge are guided throughout the application process from organised university visits through to interview technique
• World Ready Programme opportunities – a range of outstanding, timetabled and optional opportunities for students to gain valuable and sought-after super-curricular skills and qualifications. These are designed to enable students to distinguish themselves as exceptional candidates when moving into the competitive world of higher education and work. The programme includes the Mini MBA, delivered in partnership with Hult Ashridge Executive Education, and the Ivy House Award, along with a digital skills programme that includes Microsoft Office Specialist certification – a recognised qualification for future employers.

Social:

• Caledonian Society – girls learn different Scottish dances and enjoy formal dinners followed by reels with Eton, Radley and Winchester
• Socials – girls in Sixth Form enjoy frequent socials with boys’ schools such as Winchester College, Radley, Harrow and Eton
• Leading House Competition events – girls in the Sixth Form lead and organise their Upper School Houses for competitions such as House Drama, House Music and House Dance

Weekend:

• Weekly Wellbeing – girls enjoy a variety of wellbeing activities which take place regularly including pamper sessions, making healthy snacks and yoga
• Bake Boxes and Cookery Workshops – the Co-Curricular department provides Willis and York with the ingredients for baking and cooking in House
• Movie Nights – always a favourite!
• Pamper Nights – the Co-Curricular department provides the Houses with everything necessary for a home spa
• Independence on the weekend to do activities outside of the school.