Exploring Marketing and Education with The Red Pen

By Pascale, Upper Sixth

The Downe House Internships Programme gives Sixth Form students the chance to gain professional experience in real-world industries, develop confidence, and explore their interests before university. Supported by the school, these placements allow students to see how businesses operate while learning skills that extend beyond the classroom.

In July 2025, I completed an internship with The Red Pen, a dynamic marketing and education company. During my placement, I took part in a range of tasks including content workshops and digital marketing projects, focusing on platforms such as WhatsApp, email campaigns, and Instagram. I also had the opportunity to work alongside other teams, including the boarding school and undergraduate divisions, which provided a broader view of how different departments collaborate effectively.

One of the highlights of my internship was learning new things every day while working closely with the team. Their experience and insights helped me understand both the marketing and education sectors more deeply, and I thoroughly enjoyed being in such an international, dynamic office environment.

Stepping outside of my comfort zone opened up new perspectives and showed me just how much there is to gain from trying something new!

– Pascale

Through this internship, I gained practical skills in marketing, communication, and teamwork, as well as a greater appreciation for the ways different departments work together to achieve shared goals. The experience reinforced the value of curiosity, initiative, and openness to new challenges, and gave me insight into potential future career paths in marketing and education.

The Red Pen internship perfectly exemplifies the purpose of the Downe House Internships Programme: giving students hands-on experience, exposure to professional environments, and the opportunity to develop personally and professionally while being supported in a real-world setting.