As the number of pupils choosing to study STEM subjects at GCSE, A Level and beyond continues to rise, we are delighted to further enhance academic support for pupils and seek out opportunities to broaden extra-curricular opportunities and increase collaboration across the STEM departments.

Mr Charlie Littledale
Head of STEM

I find pupils’ enjoyment for learning infectious and it gives me the motivation to keep exploring new opportunities and teaching methods to support them to reach their full potential. I love STEM and so will unashamedly be one of its biggest cheerleaders at the School!

As the number of pupils choosing to study STEM subjects at GCSE, A Level and beyond continues to rise, we are delighted to welcome Charlie Littledale to School as Head of STEM. In this new role, he will further enhance support for pupils and seek out opportunities to broaden extra-curricular opportunities and increase collaboration across the STEM departments.

Charlie joins Downe House with a wealth of experience that spans professional scientific research and fieldwork, teaching across all three sciences, supporting pupils in individual research projects including EPQ, HPQ & FPQ, being a Deputy Housemaster in a boarding house for boys and, of course, coordinating STEM activities.

As well as working closely with STEM departments across the School, Charlie will be supporting our pupils making OxBridge and competitive university applications in science-related and medical subjects through mentoring and tutorials, as part of the Futures department advisory team.

Something Charlie is particularly excited about is further enriching the curriculum with new opportunities for our girls to get involved in a diverse range of STEM workshops, initiatives and competitions. He will also be inviting experts to share their love of STEM subjects and to talk to pupils about STEM pathways and careers.

Our pupil STEM Ambassadors are looking forward to his arrival. Among other initiatives, he will support them in the production of the outstanding annual student-led STEM magazine ‘Origins’ and the Ambassadors are excited to get involved in opportunities to share the School’s enthusiasm and expertise for STEM through outreach work with local primary and prep school pupils.

What impresses me most about the School is the constant drive to improve and be progressive, which is mirrored by the pupils. When I visited to teach a lesson, they threw themselves into the work with zeal, confidence and a willingness to be brave and push beyond their comfort zones. I am genuinely excited to see what these girls are capable of!”
-Mr Charlie Littledale, Head of STEM

Mrs Agnese Lyne
Head of Science Faculty

I am looking forward to sharing my love of Science at Downe House. There is nothing better than seeing a shy Year 7 pupil, not even confident enough to light up a Bunsen burner, turning into an avid scientist and choosing to study science at A Level and beyond.

Leading the Science Faculty from September 2022, Agnese Lyne brings with her a vast amount of experience both as a scientist and teacher of science who is passionate about sharing her love of the subject with young people.

After graduating with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Milan and an MSc in Pharmaceutical and Analytical Science from Loughborough University, Agnese started her career as a scientist working in large pharmaceutical companies such as 3M and GlaxoSmithKline. Her desire to share her knowledge with future generations of scientists drove her to return to university and she completed her PGCE in Secondary Science at Oxford University. After only six years teaching at Salesian College, Farnborough, she moved to St Mary’s, Ascot, as Head of Chemistry.

As Head of Science Faculty, Agnese is looking forward to working with the Heads of Department for Chemistry, Biology and Physics to develop ideas that bring all areas of science to life.

She will be teaching Chemistry at all levels and, along with creating interactive and exciting lessons, Agnese is keen to develop opportunities that stimulate and inspire an interest in all areas of Science within the whole School community; she plans to spend time with pupils outside the classroom in clubs and extra-curricular activities.

With the recent appointment of a new Head of STEM at Downe, Agnese is excited to be able to collaborate with colleagues from other departments on projects and initiatives that really enable pupils to immerse themselves in the world of STEM, and to understand the university pathways and career opportunities that exist in these fields.

The high number of pupils choosing Science at university and the vast range of subjects chosen, from Materials Science and Biochemical Engineering to Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, shows me that Downe House is a school where pupils really enjoy and are inspired by their Science lessons.

–Mrs Agnese Lyne, Head of Science Faculty