Chapters
Many schools in England have long histories. For instance, the Godolphin School in Salisbury was founded in 1726. By English school standards, even that school's nearly 300 years of continuous operation is young. Records show that the King's School, Canterbury was founded in 597. In fact, that school is widely believed to be the oldest, continuously operating school in the world.
But does age matter when it comes to quality education? Downe House School proves the opposite. Founded just over 100 years ago, Downe School students have consistently performed well on exams. So well, in fact, that it won the Best Public School award from Tatler's magazine (in 2011). So what do you need to know about registration, exams, admissions and more to get into Downe House School?
- Downe School accepts pupils starting at 11+ all the way through Sixth Form
- younger prospective students will undergo a non-academic assessment
- they will further sit a common entrance exam
- Sixteen+ prospective students will write two papers and submit to an interview
- Downe House does not only consider students' academic achievements for their admissions
About Downe House School
Located near Newbury, Berkshire, Downe House was originally founded in 1907, in the old estate of one Charles Darwin. The school has grown extensively over the last 60 years, and has embraced founder Olive Willis’s vision of exemplary education for girls with a modern edge. Downe House School’s mission is to establish itself as a “school where each individual within the community matters and where relationships between staff and pupils are normal.”
Clearly, Mrs Willis' school was a runaway success. By 1921, Downe House proved too small to accommodate the influx of students and expanding curriculum. Mrs Willis soon found a suitable property that was formerly occupied by a religious group, the Order of Silence. She purchased the estate outright. In 1922, the school moved into its new, expansive grounds in Cold Ash, Berkshire, where it operates still today.
As most pupils are boarders, the school maintains 10 houses. Three are reserved for the youngest students. Upper School students, aged 13 to 16, occupy five of the houses, with the last two reserved for Sixth Form students. One of Downe House School's main selling points is its sister campus near Toulouse, France. Lower Fourth pupils are sent there for one term. Not even Cheltenham Ladies' College students are afforded such a learning adventure!
Downe House School is currently undergoing a period of transformation in line with its 10-Year Vision of Excellence. In addition to surpassing students’ current 80% success rate of receiving an A* or A at GCSE, Downe aims to revamp their Centre for Learning to include a new library, art gallery, theatre space, learning cafe, auditorium and school shop.
How to Know if Downe House is Right for You
Downe House hosts several Open Days. During those events, parents can enjoy a welcome speech from the Head as well as talks and tours put on by Downe House’s own pupils. These Open Days are usually fully booked well in advance, so please contact the school’s Registrar to request an invitation or to register. If your daughter’s prospective entry is within the next two to three years, Downe House suggests that you book a private visit with their Registrar.
Downe House School Admissions Policy
Once you’ve visited the school, Downe House will invite you to complete and return a registration form to the Registry as soon as possible. At that time, you must also pay a non-refundable registration fee (£250 in 2022). And then, one year ahead of her entry date, your daughter will be able to attend the Assessment Day for her age group. That's when she will sit the requisite exams and take part in interviews.
Downe House School Interviews and Examinations
The admissions process for 11+, 12+ and 13+ girls begins with your daughter’s Assessment Day, one year before her proposed date of entry. At this time, she will be asked to complete a series of non-academic tasks. Those might include theatre activities, taking part in games, and demonstrating her comfort with using technology. She will also interview the Head and take part in an academic activity.
After her Assessment Day, once Downe House is convinced your daughter will thrive at their school, she will receive a placement offer. Naturally, that offer is conditional upon her Common Entrance or Academic Scholarship results. More on those exams in a moment.
If your daughter is entering in 16+, Downe House asks that you complete and return her registration form with the £250 fee (2022) before 31st October, the year prior to entry. In November, your daughter will sit two papers. One will be on a topic or subject of her choosing and the other will be a general topic.
She will then interview both the Head of Sixth Form and the Head of the school. Also, she will have to provide a reference and her academic record from her current school. If she is successful in all her interviews and examinations, she will be offered a placement at the school. That offer is conditional upon seven I/GCSE grades at a B or above. Downe House School prefers to see two A* or A grades in the subjects she intends to study in Sixth Form.
Unlike many independent schools, Downe House prefers to make the admissions and exam processes as smooth as possible. For example, Badminton School has a policy against providing any past papers or revision materials. By contrast, Downe House School makes all manner of resources available.
For nearly all entry levels and subjects, you and your daughter can find sample papers. You may even request from Downe House School themselves. Lastly, you may resort to an exam resource centre that could help your daughter become more comfortable with the admissions process.
Downe House believes that girls are better able to show their strengths if they're also asked to perform in non-academic areas. So the trick to doing well in your examinations and interviews is quite simple, really. In the words of Alastair Humphrey, “Do what you love, and do it well.” For more information and important dates, you can visit the Downe House School website. Best of luck!
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